IQ Insights Archive
Jul
10
10
Barbara VanKirk Keynote Speaker at University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg Career Quest 2009!
By MikeD under In The News, Press Release
Barbara VanKirk had the opportunity to sit down with students from the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg along with local high school seniors to discuss their future careers during Career Quest 2009!
May
14
14
Barbara VanKirk honored at the 2009 Winners’ Circle Luncheon!
By MikeD under ATHENA Award, Awards, In The News, Press Release
Barbara VanKirk received the ATHENA Award at the annual Winners’ Circle Luncheon on Wednesday, May 13th 2009 at the Four Points Sheraton in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
May
08
08
Barbara VanKirk Featured In Keystone Edge Magazine!
By MikeD under In The News, Press Release
Barbara VanKirk, President and Owner of IQ Inc. a technical consulting and software development company located in Murrysville, Pennsylvania was recently featured in a Q&A segment with Keystone Edge in their Rise of the Little Guys: Emerging Trends in Innovation issue. Keystone Edge is a weekly online magazine dedicated to telling the story of the new economy in Pennsylvania, covering stories from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. To view a copy of the complete article please visit http://www.keystoneedge.com/default.aspx
May
02
02
Kudos WBN – VanKirk Honored!
By MikeD under ATHENA Award, Awards, In The News
Barbara VanKirk Wins 2009 ATHENA Award
President and owner of IQ Inc, Barbara VanKirk was announced as the 2009 winner of the ATHENA Award by Seton Hill University’s E-Magnify program. Barbara is a member of the WBN Murrysville chapter. The Athena award is a national award that recognizes an individual who devotes time and energy to improve the quality of life of others, mentors other women to reach their full potential and demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in their business and profession. Barbara established IQ, Inc in 1994 to provide expert consulting, staffing, project management and software development services to companies with information technology and software needs.
Apr
04
04
Seton Hill University’s E-Magnify, Featured Entrepreneur, April 2009: Barbara VanKirk, President, IQ Inc.
By MikeD under ATHENA Award, Awards, In The News
Entrepreneur Believes In Team-First Success
Barbara VanKirk founded IQ Inc. in 1994 to provide professional consulting and software development services to companies with Information Technology needs and to contribute to the growth of IT professionals in the Pittsburgh area. With the ability to service both large and small businesses concerns, IQ Inc. has earned a reputation for quality and has served the medical, healthcare, transportation, software development, manufacturing, and high tech industries.
“My proudest business accomplishment has been and always will be the team we have assembled. Every single person that has walked through our doors whether an employee, a client or a vendor has contributed to our success,” VanKirk said. “I continue to experience the selfless generosity of each individual whether we are solving an extremely challenging business problem for our client or we are campaigning for cancer research or collecting clothing and food for those less fortunate. I am truly amazed and blessed to have been able to provide an environment where everyone feels they can make a difference.”
IQ Inc. is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) through the Port Authority of Allegheny County and the New Jersey Transit Authority and a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBENC) through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.
“I proudly attribute much of our success to the dedication and integrity of our employees. Everyone checks their ego at the door and comes into work as a team. No one asks what I can do for them today, but how they can help to make IQ and our clients successful,” VanKirk said. “I can attribute much of our success to our ability to adapt to an ever-changing world. Over the years IQ has grown and evolved within the technology industry, from offering our consultants more career options, to our growing product and project development market segments. IQ has responded to the rapidly changing technology environment with confidence, constantly adapting and improving our knowledgebase and skill set as dictated by market demands. We have distinguished ourselves as a small company with a large presence.”
A graduate of Point Park University with a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science, VanKirk was selected as one of “Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in Business” by Governor Edward G. Rendell in 2003 and by Enterprising Women’s Magazine as one of 2008’s Enterprising Women of the Year Award winners. In the fall of 2007 she was the recipient of the Monroeville Chamber of Commerce ROC’s (Recognizing Organizations and Companies that Shine in our Community) Entrepreneur of the Year Award. IQ Inc. was also named a finalist in the 2007 Pittsburgh Business Ethics Awards- Small Business Category by the Society of Financial Services Professionals, Pittsburgh Chapter.
VanKirk does not need to look far to find her source of inspiration.
“I believe that my father had the greatest influence on me. He ran a business from our home and was successful in raising 13 dynamic and individual children while creating a business that has since been passed on to future generations,” VanKirk said. “Over the years, he bestowed on me many great words of wisdom – two that come directly to mind. First, always take care of your employees before taking care of yourself; (I am sure this sounded simple at the time, but for my father, feeding 15 mouths every day must have been daunting at times). Secondly, Good Better Best, never let them rest, ‘til your good is better and your better is best. I must have repeated this mantra a million times without really understanding what it meant. My father instilled in me to always strive to be the very best, in anything and he lived by these words.”
VanKirk serves on the Executive committee of the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce, the Murrysville Personnel Board and was recently appointed to the Forbes Health Foundation Board of Directors of the Western Pennsylvania Hospital Forbes Regional Campus. She is also an active member of the following organizations: Women in Technology, Pittsburgh Technology Council, the Society of Women Engineers, the Women’s Presidents’ Organization, the Murrysville Business Development Committee, the Monroeville Chamber of Commerce, the Pittsburgh Airport Chamber of Commerce and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council: PA-DE-South NJ chapter. She is a founding member of the United Way Women’s Leadership Council, in Westmoreland County whose goal is to ensure that the elderly citizens of the community are fairly represented. Barbara resides in Murrysville with her husband and her two children.
Her advice for other women in business is simple and succinct.
“Go after your dreams, build a plan, don’t take yourself too seriously, keep your sense of humor and always find time for “yourself,” VanKirk said. “Never compromise your principals and surround yourself with great people. Remember that coming together is only a beginning. Keeping together is progress and true success is working together.”
Mar
24
24
Barbara VanKirk Wins ATHENA Award!
By MikeD under ATHENA Award, Awards, In The News, Press Release
Barbara VanKirk, President and Owner of IQ Inc. a technical consulting and software development company located in Murrysville, Pennsylvania was announced as this year’s ATHENA Award® Winner by Seton Hill University’s E-Magnify.
The ATHENA Award® is a national award that is presented by chambers of commerce, women’s organizations and universities throughout the country. The ATHENA Award® recognizes an individual who devotes time and energy to improve the quality of life of others, mentors other women to reach their full leadership potential and demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession. Barbara. VanKirk will be honored at the Winners’ Circle Luncheon on May 13th 2009 at the Four Points Sheraton in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. For more information about the ATHENA Award® or the Winners’ Circle please visit www.e-magnify.com.
Barbara VanKirk established IQ Inc. in 1994 to provide expert consulting, staffing, project management and software development services to companies with Information Technology and software needs. IQ Inc. is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). IQ Inc. continues to benefit from steady growth and success under Barbara’s leadership and began its 15th year in business in October 2008.
The Athena Awards Committee surprised Barbara VanKirk at IQ – announcing she was the 2009 Seton Hill University’s E-Magnify, 2009 Athena Award Winner!
Mar
17
17
Barbara VanKirk Guest On The Tech V!be, Pittsburgh Business Radio!
By MikeD under In The News, Press Release
Barbara VanKirk, President and Owner of IQ Inc. a technical consulting and software development company located in Murrysville, Pennsylvania was recently featured on the TechV!BE Radio program on Pittsburgh Business Radio 1360AM. The TechV!BE program, hosted by Audrey Russo, President Pittsburgh Technology Council and Jonathan Kersting, Director of Visibility Initiatives Pittsburgh Technology Council, focused on the region’s technology sector in the wake of continued economic downturn and how companies were overcoming daily business challenges.
TechV!BE is on the second and fourth Tuesdays each month from 2 to 5PM on Pittsburgh Business Radio (PBR) 1360 AM. The goal of PBR is to raise Pittsburgh’s “business IQ” with daily local business coverage and promote business development in the region.
Feb
01
01
Take a Byte Out of Hunger
By MikeD under 15 Year Anniversary Celebration, Press Release
“On behalf of IQ Inc. and the Westmoreland Community Food bank, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to making our “Take a Byte out of Hunger” food drive such a huge success. It is truly refreshing to see during difficult economic times that love, generosity and compassion still rings strong in our community! May God bless you for your kindness!” Barbara VanKirk, President and Owner of IQ Inc.
To learn more about the Westmoreland County Food and/or to make a donation please visit their website at http://http://wcfb.convio.net.
Dec
03
03
Barbara VanKirk Bartends to Raise Money for Local Woman’s Illness
By MikeD under In The News, Press Release
Barbara VanKirk, President and Owner of IQ Inc. a technical consulting and software development company located in Murrysville, Pennsylvania, was a guest bartender at the Airport Area Chamber of Commerce’s Mixers with Shakers annual fundraiser.
The Mixers with Shakers event features local business celebrities and CEO’s who appear as “guest bartenders” for the evening to help raise money for their favorite charities. Along with Barbara VanKirk other guest bartenders included former Pittsburgh Steeler LC Greenwood, WTAE News Anchor/Reporter Janelle Hall and other Pittsburgh area celebrities.
IQ Inc. selected the Sunny Carney Carcinoid Cancer Fund as their charity for the event. The goal of the Sunny Carney Carcinoid Foundation is to raise $100,000 for Sunny Carney’s treatment of carcinoid cancer which she will undergo in Basel, Switzerland. Doctors in the United States cannot effectively treat the rare carcinoid cancer long term; this treatment is the only option for Sunny and her family. With the help of friends, family and the local community IQ Inc. was able to donate over $2,000 to assist the foundation. To learn more about Sunny Carney and/or to make a donation to the foundation please visit her website at: http://www.sunnycarneycarcinoidcancerfund.blogspot.com/.
Dec
03
03
Barbara VanKirk Graduates from University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence!
By MikeD under In The News, Press Release
Barbara VanKirk, President and Owner of IQ Inc. a technical consulting and software development company located in Murrysville, Pennsylvania, graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence Entrepreneurial Fellows program.
The mission of the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence is “to be the innovative leader of economic renewal and growth serving enterprising people and business in the region”. The Entrepreneurial Fellows program is a twelve month series intended to address relevant issues facing a leader of a growing organization. The curriculum combines academic study with guidance and mentoring opportunities from veteran entrepreneurs directed towards real-world business concerns. To learn more about University of Pittsburgh, Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, Institute of Entrepreneurial Excellence program please visit their website at: www.pittentrepreneur.com/about_iee/. Applications for the 2009 class are now being accepted.
Earlier this year Ms. VanKirk was awarded the 2008 Marcus L. Ruscitto Fellowship by the Marcus L. Ruscitto Charitable Foundation in conjunction with the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence. The goal of the foundation is to nurture innovation, leadership and compassion with the energy for which Mr. Ruscitto, founder of the Pittsburgh based technology Stargate Inc. was well known.
