By: Alexandra Seibert
As you have learned in our last blog post, SVN | Three Rivers prides itself on our selective hiring process to find what we believe to be “the best of the best”. This has been proven true when Melissa Maggi, an SVN advisor, had been chosen to be apart of this year’s Pittsburgh 50 Finest.
In 1995 Pittsburgh 50 Finest was originated to pair with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The 50 Finest is an annual campaign that raises awareness and funds towards a cure. Each nominee is interviewed and chosen based on their passion to make a difference, leadership skills, as well as their ability use their platform to network and raise money for the foundation.
“I was approached by three different people this year about being one of “Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest,” said Melissa. “I initially thought, ‘Oh, this is some sort of popularity contest, no thank you’, but once I understood the meaning behind it, learned that this disease isn’t government funded and is dependent only on donations, it really affected me.”
After narrowing over 75 female nominees down to 25, Melissa was chosen for multiple reasons. One reason being that she had passion for cystic fibrosis, although it has not impacted her life directly.
“Melissa shared passion for a disease that has not touched her life. She spent time learning what CF was and how it affects families. When sharing the opportunity to get to know a family, her emotions proved that she was an appropriate candidate that believed in our mission. Melissa demonstrated professionalism and the confidence that she would represent the foundation with excellence and integrity,” said Laura McCurdy, Director of Development for the Western PA Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Like Melissa, most honorees do not have a personal connection with cystic fibrosis until they are involved with the 50 Finest program. It is during this time that they are educated and experience firsthand the impact of cystic fibrosis. Each honoree is given a peer and a mentor, as well as scheduled classes and events to learn more about the disease and the day-to-day life of someone living with it.
“My sister was born with a disability so I know first-hand the struggles individuals and their families can go through. Since I was young, I’ve noticed the way people look at- or look past- the handicapped and it really is heart wrenching. They are people like you and me but were born with everyday challenges we couldn’t fathom dealing with. I’ve always had a bleeding heart for people and embrace their differences, and although I’ve ‘donated’ or ‘participated’ in events, I have never had the time to truly make an impact. So now, presented with this amazing and humbling opportunity, I am really excited to do my very best to be a part of helping to find a cure for this very sad and unrecognized disease,” Melissa explains when being asked why she chose to apply for the Pittsburgh 50 Finest.
On behalf of SVN Three Rivers we would like to congratulate Melissa Maggi on receiving this honor. We would also like to offer support to the organizations raising awareness for Cystic Fibrosis and thank them for their efforts and time that go into finding a cure.
You can visit Melissa’s profile for the 50 Finest here!
