Designed to create a structured, engaging forum where individuals or teams are empowered to present new ideas, Pitch Day provides an avenue for inspiration—giving ideas the potential to improve, transform, or add value to unit operations. Chosen submissions will be evaluated live and developed with support from EVPA leadership. Pitch Day provides every EVPA employee the opportunity to develop new ideas and novel solutions to challenges in our everyday work.
Pitch Day held it’s first successful event in November 2025—with a planned return in 2026, stay tuned for more information!
FAQs
All MSU staff within the EVPA portfolio are encouraged to share ideas and participate—input is welcome from all levels, from leadership to front line.
An employee can submit anything that improves day to day unit operations—examples include ideas for reducing service times, eliminating duplicate efforts, integrating new technology, or simplifying processes.
The EVPA Operational Excellence council will review and assess selected ideas to quickly validate them—once chosen for Pitch Day, submitters will have the opportunity to develop their idea into an optional live presentation for EVPA leadership during the event.
Updates will be shared through emails, announcements, and Conversation with Vennie—covering milestones, completions, and key developments. Every idea will be followed up on.
If an idea is chosen during Pitch Day, they will receive leadership support, resources, and funding to develop the idea into a formal project.
Evaluation criteria include:
- Implementation Viability – Can the idea be implemented with available resources, time, and technology?
- Innovation Impact – Does the idea have measurable benefits that can positively affect EVPA operations?
- Innovation Value – What is the potential quantitative impact of the idea on cost savings, efficiency, or customer satisfaction?
- Scalability and Sustainability – Is the idea scalable and sustainable over time?
- Timing – Is the proposed timeline achievable?
- Funding – Are the funding needs reasonable and aligned with available resources?
Christine Carter (IPF)
Erin Carter (RHS)
Danielle Hook (HR)
Roushell Mignott-Nesbitt (EVPA EPMO)
Doug Monette (DPPS)
Kelly Pung (EVPA OpEx)
Scott Termeer (MSU IT)
Laura Young (Sustainability)
Vennie Gore (EVPA Executive Sponsor)
Dan Bollman (IPF)
Rich Czarnecki (MSU IT)
Donna Donovan (HR)
Patricia Martinez (RHS)
Mike Yankowski (DPPS)
Julia Miller (MSU Innovation Center)
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