Employee Appreciation: Kelly Luisi

By Greta Engel

Phipps is well-known for our beautiful gardens, seasonal flower shows, pioneering sustainability initiative, informative educational programs and community outreach. None of our work would be possible without the knowledge and dedication of our employees. There is a wide array of departments at Phipps, each playing an integral role in creating a wonderful experience for our guests. In this series of profiles, we meet some of our employees and get a glimpse into what they do to make Phipps possible.

While growing up southwest of Pittsburgh, Phipps was always a special destination for Senior Recruiter Kelly Luisi. She visited often with her family on special occasions like birthdays and holidays. When considering wedding venue options with her fiancé, Zach, they fell in love with the idea of getting married in a garden! A few months after she booked her wedding ceremony at Phipps, Kelly saw there was an open position. “I was so excited to be able to share my love of the Conservatory with candidates and be able to promote the amazing opportunities to the community,” says Kelly. She has been with Phipps for a year and is looking forward to her upcoming wedding at the Conservatory!

Kelly’s workday begins with checking her inbox and looking at new applications for any open positions. She then heads to the morning staff meeting to hear about the Conservatory’s daily agenda and upcoming events. The rest of her day varies depending on interview scheduling and impromptu meetings that pop up. Weather permitting, the Human Resources team enjoys walking meetings outside as a great way to get some fresh air and extra steps! Kelly’s favorite memory while at Phipps was working her first May Market on Phipps front lawn. She describes it by saying, “It was such a lively weekend, and I loved being a part of it!” Kelly had a blast at the HR tent sharing opportunities with visitors and seeing all the unique vendors.

Kelly attended Washington & Jefferson college where she studied business and human resources with minors in psychology and French. While growing up, Kelly’s parents often took her on camping trips and she also attended summer camps at Mingo Park. These activities instilled her love for the outdoors! When she is not working, Kelly enjoys cooking, gardening, reading and taking her cat, Jimi, outside on a leash. “Yes, my cat has a leash, and he loves it,” she says. Kelly and her friends like to go out to a monthly dinner to try different restaurants around the city! “It’s a great way to catch up and to scope out new restaurants,” says Kelly. She also loves to travel and visit new cities, always making it a point to check out an art museum and botanical garden during her trips.

When asked about her favorite part of the job, Kelly mentions getting to connect with the department and hiring manager to learn about the specifics of an open position. “It’s so fun getting to know the ins and outs of the Conservatory and how each department contributes to the amazing exhibits, events and educational opportunities that the community can enjoy,” she says. She also enjoys learning more about sustainability through Phipps, which is a topic she feels passionate about! Kelly loves being part of a team with such care for the Earth and looks forward to learning more as she flourishes in her role!