Penn State Greater Allegheny?s spring 2013 commencement was held on Saturday, May 4 at 11 a.m. in the Wunderley Gymnasium on the campus.
Chancellor Curtiss E. Porter presided as diplomas were conferred to students receiving baccalaureate and associate degrees. President and CEO of MARC USA, Michele Fabrizi, was the keynote speaker.
Under Fabrizi?s helm, MARC USA, one of the nation?s largest independent advertising agencies, has become known for its ability to forge powerful, motivating emotional connections between brands and customers across all channels. She joined MARC USA in 1982 and moved rapidly up the ranks. In 2003, she was named President & CEO of the nationwide advertising division, the post she holds today. Prior to this, as President and Chief Executive Officer of MARC USA?s Pittsburgh headquarters, she oversaw unprecedented growth culminating in a 200% increase in billings in her first two years.
Fabrizi is respected as a leading professional in her field, and Adweek magazine cited her as one of the outstanding women in advertising. With her talent as a leader and manager, she also fostered the growth of MARC USA?s employee-centered culture, which was cited as one of the top ten in the nation by the Principal Financial Group.
Fabrizi serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, where she led the development of the new regional brand and the marketing efforts for Pittsburgh?s 250th Anniversary. She also serves on the Executive Committee and Board of the United Way of Allegheny County and was the first woman to chair the annual fundraising campaign. Fabrizi chairs the Boards of Directors of both the Pittsburgh Opera and the Andy Warhol Museum. She is also a Trustee of the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.
Her contributions to her profession and the community have been recognized with numerous awards. Her honors include Pennsylvania Department of Commerce Fifty Best Women in Business, Carlow University Women of Spirit, Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce Athena Award, Ernst & Young Western PA Entrepreneur of Year Finalist, YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh Tribute to Women ? Communications and Girl Scouts of SW Pennsylvania Woman of Distinction ? Professional.
