Beer & Big Shots – Annual MAP Scholarship Fundraiser

October 6, 2025 6pm – 9pm at Mike’s Beer Bar 110 Federal St. Pittsburgh, PA 15212

About The Event

Join the Media Association of Pittsburgh (MAP) for our annual Beer & Big Shots fundraiser – a fun, high-energy evening of networking, prizes, and friendly competition, all to support the MAP Scholarship Fund.

Since its creation, the MAP Scholarship Fund has awarded over $34,000 to local students pursuing degrees in advertising, communications, and marketing. Your support helps us continue to invest in the next generation of media leaders.

How It Works

Pairs of local “Big Shots” will step behind the bar for 15-minute shifts.

Guests fill their tip jars, in person or online, through our donation link.

The duo with the most tips wins the coveted MAP Beer Steins and naming rights for the 2026 MAP Scholarship, which will be awarded at the OAMAs in Spring 2026.

What to Expect

Networking with Pittsburgh’s media, marketing, and advertising community
Guest bartenders competing for scholarship fundraising glory
Appetizers, drinks, and prizes
Friendly competition

Meet Our Big Shots!

Team Uncle Bob’s Magic Cabinet Podcast

Leigh and Lori are the mother-daughter duo behind the hit PGH podcast Uncle Bob’s Magic Cabinet (@UBMCPod) where the two explore mythology, folklore, and supernatural themes in beloved movies, television shows, and music. While Leigh and Lori take their research seriously, they keep their delivery lighthearted and approachable, aiming to create a safe space for laughter, learning, and discovery.

Leigh Morrissey

@mulder_itsleigh

Leigh Morrissey is a quintessential 90s baby with a flair for all things cosmic and creepy. Armed with degrees in both digital marketing and fine art, she’s spent over a decade weaving magic in media. An Aquarius Sun with an Aries Moon and Aries Rising, Leigh is passionate about the community and connection her work fosters.

Lori Lazar

@earthmamalor

Lori Lazar is Uncle Bob’s resident plant goddess and herbalist, known for her deep knowledge of obscure pop culture trivia. Her interests include documentaries, crafting, history, and cottage witchcraft. A Virgo Sun with an Aries Moon and Libra Rising, she works in the natural products industry and feels most at home foraging in the woods.

Team BurghBrewnette

Amanda Schindler & Scott Wellington

@burghbrewnette

Amanda Schindler is the creator behind BurghBrewnette, a Pittsburgh-based food, drink, and events platform that highlights the city’s vibrant dining and craft beverage scene. A former restaurant and bar manager, Amanda now brings her insider passion for hospitality to her content creation and community partnerships. By day, she works as a Montessori school secretary; by night (and weekends), she’s sharing local breweries, cocktails, and hidden gems with her audience. Amanda is excited to dust off her apron and join the Media Association of Pittsburgh as a guest bartender for this year’s Beer & Big Shots fundraiser!

Her husband, Scott Wellington, may not be on Instagram as much, but he’s been the built-in taste tester, unofficial cameraman, and behind-the-scenes support for BurghBrewnette since day one. Off camera, Scott runs operations in the landscaping and hardscape industry—so whether it’s pouring a pint or building a patio, he knows how to keep things solid.

Together, they share a strong love for traveling, exploring new places, hiking, and catching live concerts—always chasing experiences they can bring back home to Pittsburgh. Now, they’re channeling that same energy into the Media Association of Pittsburgh’s Beer & Big Shots fundraiser—ready to pour, compete, and cheer on the cause in support of future media leaders!

Team Daisy & Channing

Daisy Jade

@daisyjadetv

Pittsburgh native Daisy Jade shines as a correspondent on KDKA-TV’s PITTSBURGH TODAY LIVE and has been with CBS Pittsburgh since 2016. She also served as Host and Producer of THE CW BUZZ and the Emmy-winning FAN N’ATION, showcasing Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide.

A SAG-AFTRA member with a BA in Theater Arts and Film Studies from the University of Pittsburgh, Daisy has appeared in national commercials, films, and TV shows, including NASA’s REAL WORLD and Amazon Prime’s AMERICAN RUST. Her behind-the-scenes credits include Talent Agent, Production Coordinator, and Personal Assistant to Tyler Perry.

Deeply involved in Pittsburgh’s film community, she supports Women in Film and Media, the Pittsburgh Film Industry Association, WQED Film Academy, and the Pittsburgh Film Office, while mentoring aspiring talent – especially fellow Pitt alumni.

She is involved with Pittsburgh fashion week, Pittsburgh Opera, Ecolution and other fashion shows around town, often emceeing or doing red carpet interviews. Daisy also gives back to the community with her involvement with various organizations like CFF Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, and Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh.

Channing Powell

@itsnotchanningtatum

Channing Powell is a media personality, digital content creator & storyteller elevating Pittsburgh’s local businesses and events through Made in PGH. She is back for another round at Beer & Big Shots, excited to pour up some drinks in support of media scholarships that empower future voices in media!

Team Brunner

Chrissy Lynn

With nearly 20 years in digital media and operations, Chrissy has spent her career helping teams work smarter and drive real results. As Senior Director of Media & Operations at Brunner, she wears multiple hats, including managing digital marketing, integrated channels and SEO teams as well as driving operational efficiency. She’s recently leveraged AI-powered tools to streamlined processes, and launched training programs that boost performance and accountability. Her background includes hands-on work in SEM/SEO, digital strategy, and client engagement from earlier roles at Merkle and IMPAQT. She is passionate about creating efficient, collaborative environments where people thrive, and where great work gets done. Chrissy graduated summa cum laude from Duquesne University with a degree in Business and Marketing, and is always looking for new ways to improve, innovate, and lead with purpose.

Luke Navickas

Luke Navickas is an Associate Director of Paid Search with 13+ years of experience in Digital Performance Marketing. Since joining Brunner in 2014, he has specialized in lead generation, partnering with clients such as Penske, Edgar Snyder & Associates, and The Home Depot Rental to drive measurable growth. Luke leads a dedicated team of SEM managers in developing and executing high-impact Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising campaigns, blending automation with a human-touch approach while fostering collaboration and cross-channel integration.

Team Suzie Cool & Matt Farago

Suzie Cool

Suzie Cool has been working in the sports and broadcasting industry for 12 years now. Starting as a Pittsburgh Pirates Ball Girl, Suzie’s journey took her across the east coast with various teams and media outlets before coming back to Pittsburgh two years ago. In total, Suzie has worked in four different states, six different cities for 13 different professional sports teams and a number of media outlets. This season will be her first as the Pittsburgh Penguins In-Arena Host along with her second as the Steelers High School Showcase Sideline/Digital Reporter.

Matt Farago

A 2x Emmy Award–winning broadcaster, Matt has spent his career behind the mic at some of sports’ biggest stages. He spent four seasons as the voice of the Harlem Globetrotters, has announced for the Pittsburgh Pirates and NCAA March Madness, and today serves as the PA voice of Duquesne University Basketball, the play-by-play voice of the Steelers High School Showcase, and a contributor on 93.7 The Fan for the Pitt Panthers Radio Network pre- and postgame shows.

Team Beyond Spots & Dots

Lauren Suchy

Lauren spends her days managing social media and PR, which basically means she’s paid to scroll, post, and make other people look good online. When she’s not doing that, she’s probably blasting music, belting out Wicked like she’s on Broadway, or reminding you she’s Croatian. If nothing else, she promises your drink will be as dramatic as her playlists.

Brandon Divosevic

Brandon is a full time graphic designer, full time yinzer, & part time weirdo. His obsessions are Halloween, dinosaurs, & sharks. In his spare time he likes to go to concerts, hang with his dog, & ride his motorcycle.

“I don’t know how many years on this earth I got left. I’m going to get really weird with it.”

– Frank Reynolds

Team Pittsburgh Content Creations

Lexi Bruno

Lexi Bruno is a Pittsburgh-based social media strategist at Made in PGH, where she spotlights the best of the city for 75k+ followers on the @MadeinPGH Instagram. She also creates fun, relatable lifestyle content on TikTok as @SpiralingwithLex, connecting with audiences through humor and everyday moments.

Elyse Levkulich

Part-time foodie, full-time working mom based in Pittsburgh, and past winner of Pgh City Paper’s “Best Foodie Influencer” award. Elyse loves discovering local eats and trying the newest hotspots in the ever-evolving Steel City food scene.

Josh McCann

Josh McCann writes for Made in PGH, which features his “Band of the Month” column. He also teaches English at Point Park University. As a musician, he’s played many bars but has never been behind one! Josh is looking forward to slinging drinks and raising money for the MAP Scholarship Fund!

Team StackAdapt

Doug Andiorio

Doug is an Account Manager at StackAdapt with over 14 years experience in marketing and advertising since graduating from Point Park University (Go Pioneers!).

When Doug isn’t cheering on the black and gold or diving into campaigns, you might catch him at a brewery with his wife and their dog Joey!

Kevin O’Donnell

Kevin O’Donnell spends his workdays in the world of media and marketing, but he’s more than ready to trade dashboards for draft beers. As part of the StackAdapt team, Kevin partners with brands and agencies to bring their ideas to life, but supporting the local community is what truly fuels him. A proud member of Pittsburgh’s media and advertising scene, he’s excited to step behind the bar at Beer & Big Shots to raise funds for the MAP Scholarship. For Kevin, it’s all about giving back, having fun, and helping the next generation of media leaders find their place in the industry.

Team Blink Advertising

Tim + Luann McLaughlin

Dad to 4 girls, Wife’s a girl too, rescuer of 7 Pit Bulls, Have 2 now. Founder / COO of Blink Advertising. proud Pitt Grad #H2P

Blink Advertising Billing manager, HR director, payroll coordinator, Den mother, office baker, holiday party host and punch maker, and the hardest job of all…keeping Tim in line.