Edtech company Niche continues pattern of downsizing after layoffs

Strategic decisions around location, leadership and sustainability are key drivers of business growth.

In this month’s Power Moves, sustainability takes center stage — whether through downsizing office space to align with post-pandemic workforce needs or expanding facilities to meet the demand for clean-energy manufacturing.

Leadership changes at nonprofit Sustainable Pittsburgh and the announcement of a new power generator manufacturing facility highlight the region’s focus on both economic growth and environmental impact.

Read on for more details on these developments after the chart showing the top desired tech skills and corresponding median salaries for the month.

Niche to move headquarters closer to Strip District Terminal

The edtech company Niche is set to relocate its headquarters down the street from its current location on Liberty Avenue in the Strip District to the Vision on Fifteenth, a building on Smallman Street near the Strip District Terminal. 

The move was described by Pat Gruden, a long-time company representative, as part of a strategic decision to downsize following the COVID-19 pandemic. The new facility is about 7,400 square feet smaller but more walkable to neighborhood amenities 

In March, the company quietly laid off 7% of its total staff, leaving the firm with around 300 total employees. This came after the company made headlines in recent years for large funding raises, including a $35 million Series C funding round in 2020.

Sustainable Pittsburgh executive director announces departure

Sustainable Pittsburgh Executive Director Joylette Portlock announced she will step down from her leadership position at the nonprofit by the end of 2024. Portlock led Sustainable Pittsburgh for six years, overseeing a full organizational rebrand and the launch of a new workplace recognition program that awards designations to companies that meet sustainability criteria. 

Portlock also worked to establish the Clean Energy Workforce Roundtable in 2021. The initiative gathers key stakeholders to promote equitable workforce development to meet the demand for clean energy workers. The company is responsible for additional groups that work to foster sustainable and equitable economic growth, including the CEOs for Sustainability and the Sustainability Practitioners Network. 

“I’ve come to understand that leadership, especially on sustainability, may best be understood as neither a sprint, nor a marathon – it’s a relay,” Portlock said in a news release. “And I have no doubt that Sustainable Pittsburgh will continue to be a vital regional resource that achieves great things from here.” 

New power generator factory to be built near Pittsburgh Airport

Mainspring Energy, a California-based power generator manufacturer, plans to build a 300,000-square-foot plant near the Pittsburgh National Airport, bringing around 600 jobs to the area. 

The facility will be partially funded by a $87 million grant from the US Department of Energy. Construction will begin next year and bring an additional 300 construction jobs. The total investment in the region, including the building and equipment, will exceed $175 million, according to Mainspring. 

As part of the announcement, Mainspring pledged to hire at least 20% of its new employees from underrepresented communities and allocate 25% of its non-production contracts to minority- or underrepresented-owned businesses.

More Power Moves: 

• Autonomous systems provider Edge Case Research, announced Natha Parker as its new CEO. Parker brings 25 years of leadership experience in national security and defense to the role. 
• Nvidia announced plans to launch joint technology centers at CMU and Pitt to advance AI in robotics and medicine. The company will also partner with the Pittsburgh Robotics Network to boost local manufacturing.
• Healthcare information company TeleTracking Technologies has promoted Anita Dresel, former CFO and COO, to the role of president.
• The tech industry now accounts for more than 23% of Southwestern PA’s workforce, according to a recent TEQ State of the Industry report from the Pittsburgh Technology Council. 
• Veteran healthcare executive Mary Beth Jenkins was named president and CEO of UPMC Health Plan and executive vice president of UPMC. 

• Free Market Health, a healthcare technology company, announced multiple leadership changes, essentially reconfiguring existing leadership to new positions.