Itha Cao (MID '15), an experienced project manager and strategic partnerships leader, will deliver this year’s address at the 2025 Commencement Ceremony for the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) at the University of Pittsburgh.
Named in honor of her birth city Ithaca, New York, Itha spent her early years in State College, Pennsylvania before relocating to Pittsburgh in 2013 to attend the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. She graduated in 2015 with her Master of International Development (MID) with a concentration in development planning and environmental sustainability. While at Pitt, Itha served as the MID Representative on the Student Cabinet, was President of the International Student Initiative, a member of the GSPIA Out in Policy Group, and served on the Programming Committee for the Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG).
In her current position at Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, Itha enhances operational and budgetary effectiveness as part of the law firm’s Department of Practice Administration. Her earlier work in the nonprofit sector involved leading a computer skills education and laptop distribution initiative in Pittsburgh's Homewood, Hill District, and East End neighborhoods. She also collaborated with community stakeholders under former Mayor Peduto to spearhead impactful local projects.
Itha demonstrates her dedication to community service and leadership development through a wide array of advisory and volunteer roles. She served as a Commissioner for the Pennsylvania Governor's Commission for Women, leading the creation of its inaugural strategic plan, and is a board member for both Vibrant Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation. She combines her passion for cooking and community engagement through organizing cooking fundraisers and actively participates in neighborhood cleanups and outdoor activities with the Explorers Club of Pittsburgh.
A steadfast advocate of continuous learning, Itha is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds a second-degree black belt in taekwondo. She holds two bachelor's degrees from Penn State University in addition to her master’s from Pitt. Itha's leadership and dedication to community service have earned her multiple accolades: Pittsburgh Magazine's 40 Under 40, the RealList Connect Award by Technical.ly, the Community Service Award from Get Involved Pittsburgh, and the inaugural Alumni Impact Award from the University of Pittsburgh.
This year’s Commencement Ceremony will be held at 3:30 pm on Friday, May 2, 2025, in Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum.