About
WiDS Pittsburgh @CMU: Bringing Together the Region’s Data Science Community
We are excited to welcome you to WiDS Pittsburgh @ CMU as a premier gathering for data scientists across the Pittsburgh region. This event brings together students, researchers, industry professionals, and organizations to explore the latest advancements in data science, foster connections, and highlight impactful work happening in our community. WiDS Pittsburgh @ CMU is part of the global WiDS initiative, which originated at Stanford University and has grown to include more than 150 satellite events worldwide.
This event is open to anyone who is interested in data science and its transformative potential. Students and junior professionals are also welcome to share their resumes with WiDS partners and sponsors.
Join us to celebrate data science's power to drive discovery and innovation across Pittsburgh and beyond.
Schedule
March 19, 2026 | 6:45 to 8:00 pm (networking to follow)
LOCATION: TCS Hall & New York City Campus
The Master of Science in Computational Finance (MSCF) program at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) will be hosting a finance panel talking about the role of quantitative finance in their field.
This panel will be in person at the New York City campus of MSCF and will be broadcast to the Pittsburgh campus in TCS Hall Floor 2, Room 250. You may join the viewing of this panel at the Pittsburgh location of MSCF. A reception and networking to follow in Pittsburgh.
March 20, 2026 | 12:00 to 5:30 pm
Join us for an afternoon designed around connection, conversation, and community. This event brings together students, faculty, alumni, and industry partners for meaningful engagement, dynamic discussion, and informal networking.
Rather than a full day of back-to-back talks, the program is intentionally structured to maximize interaction, relationship-building, and cross-sector dialogue, anchored by a limited number of featured sessions.
We look forward to welcoming a strong group of regional leaders and partners, with a particular emphasis on local industry engagement.
12:00 – 2:30 pm | Registration, Networking & Interactive Sessions
Registration opens at 12:00 pm
From 12:30 - 2:30 PM, the afternoon will feature a mix of:
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Structured networking opportunities
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Small-group conversations with industry partners
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Alumni engagement opportunities
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Pop-up spotlight sessions
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Open networking across students, faculty, and partners
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Lunch provided
Programming during this window is intentionally flexible to encourage
organic conversation and maximize engagement across attendees.
2:30 – 2:45 pm | Welcome & Opening Remarks
Event leadership will formally open the afternoon program, setting the
stage for the conversations ahead and highlighting the goals of the day.
2:45 – 3:30 pm | Featured Keynote Conversation
Emily Mercurio, PhD, PG, CEO and Co-Founder of CivicMapper
Emily brings more than 25 years of experience working with Earth science data and mapping technologies.
She leads the development and application of CivicMapper’s products and services, focusing on innovative,
data-driven solutions that support decision-making at the intersection of our natural and built environments.
Her work centers on using geospatial data and technology to build a more informed and resilient world.
3:30 – 3:45 pm | Break & Networking
Coffee and refreshments available. An opportunity to continue
conversations before the panel discussion.
3:45 – 4:30 pm | Panel Discussion
A moderated conversation featuring perspectives on collaboration,
career pathways, and the future of applied data and analytics.
4:30 – 5:30 pm | Closing Reception
Cap off the day with a high-energy reception where conversations continue
and new partnerships take shape. Light food and beverages will be served.
Partners
Click on each sponsor's logo to learn more.
Location
Posner Hall
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Grand Room
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Rachel Mellon Walton Room
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Posner A35
Join Us in Growing Pittsburgh’s Data Science Community
By sponsoring WiDS Pittsburgh @CMU, your organization will support the growth of the region’s data science community, engage with top talent, and demonstrate leadership in this evolving field. Join us in shaping the future of data science in Pittsburgh and beyond.
Contact
WIDS Pittsburgh @CMU is proudly hosted by the
Department of Statistics & Data Science
and Women in Statistics.
Questions can be directed to wids@stat.cmu.edu.
Code of Conduct
(modeled on the ASA Activities Conduct Policy approved November 30, 2018 by American Statistical Association Board of Directors)
WiDS Pittsburgh @CMU is committed to providing an atmosphere in which personal respect and intellectual growth are valued and the free expression and exchange of ideas are encouraged. Consistent with this commitment, it is our policy that all participants in WiDS Pittsburgh @CMU activities enjoy a welcoming environment free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. We strive to be a community that welcomes and supports people of all backgrounds and identities. This includes, but is not limited to, members of any race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, color, immigration status, social and economic class, educational level, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, size, family status, political belief, religion, and mental and physical ability. All WiDS Pittsburgh @CMU participants —including, but not limited to, attendees, statisticians, data scientists, sports analysts, students, registered guests, staff, contractors, sponsors, exhibitors, and volunteers —in the conference or any other related activity—whether official or unofficial—agree to comply with all rules and conditions of the activities.
Your registration or attendance at the 2025 WiDS Pittsburgh @CMU conference
indicates your agreement to abide by this policy and its terms.
Expected Behavior
- Model and support the norms of professional respect necessary to promote the conditions for healthy exchange of scientific ideas.
- Speak and conduct yourself professionally; do not insult or disparage other participants
- Be conscious of hierarchical structures in broader statistics/data science community, specifically the existence of stark power differentials among students, junior analysts/statisticians, and senior analysts/statisticians—noting that fear of retaliation from those in senior-level positions can make it difficult for students or those in junior level positions to express discomfort, rebuff unwelcome advances, and report violations of the conduct policy.
- Be sensitive to body language and other non-verbal signals and respond respectfully.
Unacceptable Behavior
- Violent threats or language directed against another person
- Discriminatory jokes and language
- Inclusion of unnecessary sexually explicit, violent, or otherwise sensitive materials in presentations
- Posting (or threatening to post), without permission, other people’s personally identifying information online, including on social networking sites
- Personal insults including, but not limited to, those using racist, sexist, homophobic, or xenophobic terms
- Unwelcome solicitation of emotional or physical intimacy such as sexual advances; propositions; sexual flirtations; sexually-related touching; and graphic gestures or comments about sex or another person’s dress, body, or sexual activities
- Advocating for, encouraging, or dismissing the severity of any of the above behaviors
Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior
At the sole discretion of the WiDS Pittsburgh @CMU Program Committee, unacceptable behavior may result in removal from or denial of access to meeting facilities or activities, without refund of any applicable registration fees or costs. In addition, WiDS Pittsburgh @CMU reserves the right to report violations to an individual’s employer or institution or to a law-enforcement agency. Those engaging in unacceptable behavior may also be banned from future WiDS Pittsburgh @CMU activities or face additional penalties.
What to Do if You Witness or Are Subject to Unacceptable Behavior
If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns relating to harassment, please contact a member of the WiDS Pittsburgh @CMU program committee either in person or at wids@stat.cmu.edu. If you witness potential harm to a conference participant, be proactive in helping to mitigate or avoid that harm; if you see or hear something that concerns you, please say something.
Process for Adjudicating Reports of Misconduct
WiDS Pittsburgh @CMU will contract with an independent entity to manage and adjudicate reported violations of the conduct policy.
Note: This Code of Conduct may be revised at any time by the WiDS Pittsburgh @CMU Conference. Questions, concerns, or comments should be directed to wids@stat.cmu.edu.
