Emily Marcinkowski gets people involved in things that matter. An industrial engineer with FedEx Ground, she leads the company’s Emerging Professionals group and is active with its Women’s Network. She also helps to plan one of United Way’s biggest annual campaign events of the year, Games for Good, as a member of its NextGen committee. Emily lives in Robinson with her husband, Tom, and their dog Abby.
What is the one thing that would surprise Pittsburghers most about you?
This might be a Pittsburgh sin, but I’ve never had Heinz Ketchup — or any ketchup. I’ve also lived in Pittsburgh my entire life and have never been on the Duquesne Incline.
What’s one thing you would love to change about Pittsburgh?
I’d love to see more young people engage and give back to their community. Through my involvement with the United Way, it’s been really powerful to see what people can do by joining together for a cause. For our 2018 fitUnited Day of Action, volunteers and community members teamed up to paint, plant and clean-up a local playground in Homestead. It’s rewarding to see the immediate impact that you can make.
Where will we find you this Saturday night?
We’re celebrating my birthday this weekend and heading Downtown for dinner at DiAnoia’s and drinks at the Il Tetto rooftop beer garden at Sienna Mercato.
What is your big idea for Pittsburgh?
Improved transportation in and around the city. My parents live in the suburbs east of the city and, in true Pittsburgh fashion, dread the thought of having to go through two tunnels to visit me. It would be great to have a highway system that bypassed the city traffic. I think that having the T extend to the airport and to more neighborhoods in the city would be huge.
It’s time to unwind. Where do you head?
Meraki Studio in the Strip District for Pilates. The class is challenging but I always leave feeling relaxed and refreshed.
What upcoming events are you excited to attend?
I’m looking forward to the United Way’s Hoodies for the Holidays Wrap Party on November 28 at Heinz Field, where we will mingle with other young professionals and support a great cause. Admission is a new college hoodie and they all are donated as part of the United Way’s Be a Middle School Mentor program to encourage students to continue their education after high school.
What is the best part of your job?
The people I get to work with every day. I am fortunate to work with a great group of people and build relationships that transcend the workplace.
Favorite place you’ve traveled to in the past year and why?
We went to Italy and Greece for our honeymoon in May and absolutely loved it! I’ve always been really fascinated by Roman and Greek history and it was amazing to visit and see the places I’ve read about. I still get cravings for the carbonara and gelato.
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