Diversity in Action

Duquesne Light Holdings (DLH), which encompasses Duquesne Light Company, The Efficiency Network and DQE Communications, today announced the promotion of Samantha Hartzman to head of social impact and chief diversity officer, effective Aug. 1. Hartzman, who previously served as the organization’s senior manager of environmental, social and governance (ESG) and corporate giving, will further build upon DLH’s culture of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) as it continues advancing the region’s clean energy future.

“As DLH makes greater strides in delivering a clean energy future for our customers and communities, we remain steadfast in our work to have a positive social impact,” said Christine Waller, vice president of communications and corporate responsibility at DLH. “As Sam creates a performance framework to enhance our DEI initiatives, we’ll be able to drive even better and more inclusive results that benefit our workforce, customers and region. Additionally, as we conducted deliberate and thoughtful efforts to find the right candidate for this critical role, we leveraged the opportunity to reflect on our strengths and opportunities through meaningful dialogue with members of the DEI community, and I believe that these trusted partnerships will continue to be an essential ingredient to our success.”

Following a comprehensive internal and external search, the decision to promote Hartzman demonstrates DLH’s commitment to empower leaders who have a proven and positive influence on the organization and those it serves. Hartzman’s new role also further aligns the company’s DEI aspirations to broader social impact initiatives as part of its ESG journey. 

“Sam’s vision for the untapped potential of our culture, community initiatives and ESG efforts stood out as strengths in her candidacy for this incredibly important position,” added Kevin Walker, president and CEO at DLH. “Under her leadership, we will continue to amplify our efforts to create a workplace that is inclusive and equitable for all and representative of the diversity that enriches our region, while also supporting the vibrant and unique neighborhoods where we work and live.”

Hartzman has a bachelor’s degree in English and American studies from the University of Virginia and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also recently graduated from The Advanced Leadership Institute'sExecutive Leadership Academy, delivered in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business. The program includes executive coaching and mentoring and provides hands-on guidance from renowned academic and industry experts.

Hartzman resides in the North Hills with her husband and son.

Several strategic personnel changes in Pitt’s Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion will help advance the unit’s vital University work.

A two-time alumna, Veella R. Grooms (EDUC ’03G, ’22G) has returned to Pitt after serving as assistant dean of student affairs for civility initiatives at Carnegie Mellon University since 2021. She began at Pitt as assistant vice chancellor for equity and inclusion on Aug. 1. Grooms reports to Clyde Wilson Pickett, Pitt’s vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer.

“We are lucky to have her, and our community will be a better place with her service to the University,” Pickett said. “I’m looking forward to working beside her to further advance our efforts to make Pitt more inclusive.”

A native of Charleston, West Virginia, Grooms and her sister were the first generation of their family to graduate from college. She earned a bachelor’s degree in counseling and rehabilitation at Marshall University in Huntington and began her career as a mental health counselor, case manager and family advocate, often working with young people, before transitioning into higher education as a counselor at Pitt, then as executive assistant to the president at West Virginia State University.

Grooms said her background has shown that equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility are keys to ensuring mental health and wellness for students, faculty and staff.

“Colleges and universities need to embrace inclusivity and create a sense of belonging for everyone,” Grooms said. “Oftentimes, if someone does not feel safe and secure in their environment, you can tell that they’re carrying that as a burden. They may be coping, but they don’t have security in their environment.”

That, she said, can lead poor academic outcomes for students, including being unable to complete their four-year degrees or leaving for other institutions.

Equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility are keys to ensuring mental health and wellness for students, faculty and staff.

“I often talk about creating ‘counter spaces’ for students — places where they can go to identify and interact with other students who have the same needs and share the same backgrounds,” Grooms said. “That’s a component of ensuring their mental wellness, and that’s part of being inclusive — providing that sense of belonging.”

At Carnegie Mellon, Grooms created and led a “civility initiative” to encourage students from diverse backgrounds to have meaningful interactions with one another.

In 2003, Grooms completed her master’s degree in education at the University of Pittsburgh, going on to earn her doctorate in 2022. Her thesis focused on social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion.

“I tried attending another institution for my doctorate, but didn’t find it as challenging academically, so I returned to Pitt,” she said. “I wanted an opportunity to learn and grow, and I felt the University of Pittsburgh gave me that opportunity.”

 The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) has named Dr. Dorothy Collins as the college’s Vice President for Enrollment Services. In her new role at CCAC, Dr. Collins will serve as the lead administrator responsible for planning and implementing all enrollment services and retention activities for the college’s campuses and centers. 

Dr. Collins joins CCAC with more than 25 years of diverse experience. Over the course of her career in higher education administration, she has led and supervised many functional areas, including Title III, Title IX, enrollment management, admissions, academic advising, counseling services, tutoring, student learning services, student academic progress and conduct appeals, first-year student experience, college success courses, student retention, student learning centers, and TRIO and KEYS programs. In addition, she brings extensive experience in leading and strengthening the admissions, financial aid and student success processes.

In her most recent position, she served as the campus dean for the Chicago School of Professional Psychology (TCSPP), where she was responsible for leading the overall academic, student and operational performance of the Washington, DC campus. Previously, she served as the dean of academic support and success at Lehigh Carbon Community College; dean of student success and director of the student success center at the College of Southern Maryland; dean of academic support services and director of TRIO programs at Eastern Gateway Community College; and coordinator for multicultural student services at Youngstown State University.

Dr. Collins earned her PhD in Leadership for Higher Education from Capella University as well as a Master of Science in Education and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Youngstown State University (YSU).

A prolific basketball player at Youngstown State University from 1984-1988, Dr. Collins still holds the all-time college record for points, scoring 2,324 points. She ranks third with 1,083 rebounds and holds ten other individual scoring/rebounding records. She is a member of YSU’s Athletic Hall of Fame, and her No. 33 jersey is retired.

 Ensuring supplier diversity and supporting minority-owned businesses will strengthen the supply chain in Pennsylvania and can provide businesses with the opportunity to expand beyond the state and into the global market, experts testified before the House Majority Policy Committee Wednesday.     

“Expanding diversity within the supply chain not only improves economic possibilities, but it also has the ability to enhance the quality of life within our communities,” said Rep. Aerion Abney, who represents a portion of Allegheny County and hosted the hearing. “If we embrace diversity in the supply chain, what we are really embracing is a stronger supply chain less susceptible to disruptions and a more secure economic future.”  

The committee heard from testifiers Brian Oglesby, the President and CEO at Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council; Tina Doose, the founder and Board President of the Mon Metro Chamber of Commerce; Majestic Lane, the Chief Equity Officer of the Allegheny Conference; and Alexis Russell, the owner and consultant at Russell General Contracting. The hearing took place at Energy Innovation Center.     

“As we heard today and throughout recent policy hearings, equity and diversity issues are also economic issues,” House Majority Policy Chairman Ryan Bizzarro said. “The region, state and nation is better served – and only capable of reaching its economic potential – when all parties have a seat at the table, when underserved communities have the ability for economic success and growth, and all parties are actively involved in contributing to the state’s economic success.”  

Information about this hearing and other House Majority Policy Committee hearings can be found at pahouse.com/policy. Testimony from today’s hearing and past policy hearings can be found at pahouse.com/policycommittee/hearingmaterials. Photos for this event and past Policy Committee events to be used for publication can be found at pahouse.com/PolicyCommittee/Galleries.  

  A June 5, 2023, Pennsylvania State University announcement indicated that Leah P. Hollis had been named Associate Dean for Access, Equity, and Inclusion in the Penn State College of Education.  Hollis, who is originally from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and has been in higher education for more than 30 years, is returning to the Laurel Highlands to continue her diversity and inclusion work. The announcement also noted that, during her career, Hollis had published four books and authored or co-authored 37 peer-reviewed journal articles, seven book chapters and 17 scholarly essays. Effective August 1, 2023, Hollis will also serve as a tenured full Professor. 

Interestingly, although she is newly affiliated with the Nittany Lions, during her earlier higher education career, Dr. Hollis was a  University of Pittsburgh Pitt Panther, having earned her Master of Arts in English from the University of Pittsburgh. During her graduate study at Pitt, some misguided faculty feedback indicated that she was not “doctoral material.” Determined not to be defined by the Pitt faculty members’ negative  assessment of her scholarly potential, Hollis left for Boston University where  she earned her doctorate in Education as a Martin Luther King Jr. Fellow for Social Justice. 

Recently, I asked Dr. Hollis about the significance of her Pitt roots as preparation for her new position at Penn State and she stated,  “Pitt is a large complex AAU University, similar to Rutgers. Starting my career at Pitt, as an academic advisor in the College of Arts and Science, gave me insight to how such universities work as well as an initial understanding of how underrepresented people engage such educational complexity.”

After completing her doctoral studies, Dr. Hollis earned a national reputation for her scholarship and teaching related to bullying within higher education institutions. Accordingly, I asked her to discuss briefly how bullying impacts individuals’ efforts to attain equity and social justice in higher education. She responded with the following: “Workplace bullying emerges from a power differential, where the person with more power abuses those with diminished power. Power comes in many forms such an organizational power, personal power, and expert power. However, bullies can only flourish if the organization refuses to address the abuse, giving tacit approval for the bully’s tactics.”

In contrast to a culture of bullying, I reminded Dr. Hollis that some maintain that the African philosopher John S Mbiti articulated the statement, “I am because we are and because we are, therefore I am.” This phrase is sometimes referenced as the philosophy of ubuntu. With that in mind, I asked, “How does ubuntu function in your life and might influence your work at Penn State?” to which she responded, “ I strive to stay conscious and empathetic about the people with whom I work, the students I serve, and the community in which I operate. We are all connected whether we like it or not. I believe we should connect through positive and inclusive actions rather than connect through conflict and oppression. At Penn State, I will work with a group that is like-minded in their commitment to diversity and inclusion, not just in the School of Education, but across the University structure. I am honored to follow in my mother’s footsteps. She was the inaugural affirmative action officer at Pitt-Johnstown. She and my late father remain an inspiration to me regarding how all people deserve access to opportunity and humane treatment on their respective journeys to excellence.”

I reminded Dr. Hollis that there are many elected officials who have taken formal steps to eliminate “diversity” initiatives on college campuses. For example, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that bans the state's public colleges and universities from spending money on diversity, equity and inclusion programs. With that in mind, I asked her, “What steps must be taken to combat such initiatives taken in the name of “combating woke culture?”  She responded with the following:

“I have two responses to how we can combat plans attempting to turn back diversity initiatives. First, collective voice has been and always will be a major component in resistance. Martin Luther King didn’t walk across that bridge in Selma by himself. We must remain steadfast and united to push legislators to support diversity activities. We can also develop other programs that address conditions often associated with race. For example, people from different backgrounds are not inherently weaker or deficient; it’s not a genetic thing, but the environments create deficits. Imagine the difficulty of trying to learn high school algebra, but you have five different teachers during the given school year.

Additionally, finances are a critical part of the formula. Districts that have high homeownership and a higher tax base provide more support for their students. They have lower teacher turnover and more resources for student services. However, many urban areas have students who come from rental homes. Nothing wrong with renting, yet in the formula on how school districts are funded, homeownership and taxes support the district much more than renters. We, as educators, can be more creative and advance programs that address educational deficits associated with lower socioeconomic strata. We will have to be increasingly creative.”

Indeed, we must be increasingly creative when it comes to the pursuit of equity and social justice given that we live at a time when a Governor dared to state publicly that enslaved Africans benefitted from American chattel slavery; a biased Supreme Court crushed the ability to take race into consideration for higher education admissions decisions; a multi-indicted narcissist is a leading candidate for President; and now is a time when mass murder is as American as apple pie. Fortunately, as a “multi-campus, land-grant, public research university,” Penn State has summoned a person such as Dr. Hollis to be a leader in making higher education what it ought to be in terms of serving all of “we the people.”

Jack L. Daniel

Co-founder, Freed Panther Society

Contributor, Pittsburgh Urban Media

Author, Negotiating a Historically White University While Black

July 28, 2023

 Anette Nance (SOC WK ’20G) was named executive director of the Governor's Advisory Commission on African American Affairs, one of five identity-based advisory committees Governor John Shapiro reestablished in June. She will make recommendations on policy and legislation and lead up to 30 people in the commission.

Nance served in the U.S. Marine Corps for eight years, including an Operation Enduring Freedom deployment, and holds a master’s degree in social work with a focus on community organization and social action and a Human Services Management Certificate from Pitt.

A finalist for the 2020 Student Veteran of the Year award, Nance now serves on nonprofit boards and was previously commissioner on Governor Wolf’s Commission on African American Affairs. Her contributions to the Pittsburgh region have been widely celebrated, with honors such as Pittsburgh Magazine and PUMP’s 40 Under 40 award and the Rising Star Distinguished Alumni Award from Pitt’s School of Social Work.

The governor’s office also reestablished its commissions on Asian American and Pacific Islander affairs, Latino affairs, LGBTQ affairs and women, and formed the new Commission on Next Generation Engagement, which aims to represent and recognize the contributions of people ages 16-26.

 Mayor Ed Gainey appointed Olga George as Press Secretary. Prior to joining the administration, Olga worked at KDKA TV as an assignment desk editor and producer. She brings more than 30 years of journalism experience to the role. She will serve as the primary media liaison and spokeswoman for Mayor Ed Gainey. She will report to Maria Montaño who became Communications Director in January.  

“I’m pleased to have Olga as part of my growing communications team to provide us with more opportunities to respond to residents,” said Mayor Ed Gainey. “She brings a wealth of professional experience to the role, and I am certain that she will help us make Pittsburgh a city for all of us.”

Olga was born and raised on the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands and is a graduate of Point Park University where she studied Journalism and Communications. She is currently the Vice President of the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation, Vice President of the Western Pennsylvania Press Club, and a member of the National Association of Black Journalists. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Historic Fairview Park and is a volunteer with the New Horizon Theater.  

“I hope my addition to the mayor’s communications team has a positive impact on the community and the people I work with and serve,” said Olga George. “I look forward to getting to work and help making Pittsburgh the safest, most welcoming city in America.”  

Olga is the daughter of Charles (deceased) and Sylvia George of Rattan, St. Croix. She has a sister and two brothers. Olga currently lives in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood.  Her appointment is effective immediately.

 Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania is pleased to announce our new President/CEO, Monique McIntosh. “I am excited for this tremendous opportunity to lead Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania,” she said, “It’s an amazing organization with a long, storied history of providing valuable services to improve the quality of life for people in our region. I am incredibly impressed with Goodwill’s well-known social enterprise model using revenue from retail stores to fund job training, address workforce access barriers, and increase family economic stability. I want the public to understand better that when they donate and shop at Goodwill SWPA, they are impacting thousands of individuals through our mission-critical services.”   

Monique McIntosh is joining Goodwill from a long-standing career at YMCA Greater Pittsburgh, most recently serving as Chief Program Officer. Previous to her leadership at the YWCA, she served as Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh’s Vice President of Programs and Services. Additionally, Monique McIntosh is a member of The Forbes Fund Advisory Council, United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania Women’s Leadership Council Diversity Work Group, and serves on various non-profit boards and committees throughout Pittsburgh.

Monique McIntosh is the first woman and person of color to lead the organization and will officially begin her role on March 1st, 2023. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome to the organization!

Ray Roundtree has been named Senior Vice President of Comcast's Keystone Region, overseeing the organization's operational, strategic and financial performance across areas serving western, central and northeastern Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, northern West Virginia and the Maryland panhandle. The Region is headquartered in Pittsburgh, where Roundtree is based.

"With his industry expertise and broad experience running major markets, Ray will be a great leader for the Keystone Region," said Amy Lynch, President of Comcast's Northeast Division, which includes 14 northeastern states from Maine through Virginia and the District of Columbia. "I know Ray will be successful in continuing to deliver our innovative products and services to area homes and businesses--keeping them connected to what matters most."

Roundtree joined Comcast in 2000 as Director of Business Operations for Chester and Lancaster counties and has since served in several financial management leadership roles at Comcast during his 22 years at the company. He most recently served as Vice President of Finance for Comcast's Beltway Region, which is based in Baltimore.

"I'm thrilled to come back to Comcast's Keystone Region to lead a team that's creating awesome experiences for our customers and employees," said Roundtree. "My family and I are grateful to be able to continue my career journey in a part of the country where we have deep roots."

Roundtree holds a B.S. in Finance and an MBA from Penn State University where he was a wide receiver for the 1986 national championship Nittany Lions.

Adam W. McKinney Will Serve as Organization’s Seventh Artistic Director Beginning March 2023

After a comprehensive international search aided by Management Consultants for the Arts (MCA), the Board of Directors of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) announced today the appointment of Adam W. McKinney as artistic director. He will be the company’s seventh artistic director in its rich 54-year-history. McKinney, PBT’s first artistic director of color, will begin his role in March 2023.  

“We are thrilled to welcome Adam W. McKinney as Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s next artistic director,” said President and Board Chair Mary McKinney Flaherty. ”After an extensive search, expertly led by search committee chairs Dr. Melonie Nance and Rich Beaty and guided by PBT’s historical strengths and established strategic goals, Adam became the clear choice to lead PBT’s next era. We believe Adam will be a transformative artistic director  for our organization and leader in our community and throughout the world of ballet.”

McKinney has a diverse and accomplished background in arts leadership across the globe, having served as an arts organization director, tenured professor, choreographer, dancer, educator and activist. He is a gifted teacher of classical ballet whose expertise lies in creating environments that support the training and development of artists. He will continue in the legacy of his predecessors by centering classical ballet repertoire as well as introducing new contemporary works and choreographers to Pittsburgh audiences. He strongly believes in building community connections and in making dance accessible to everyone.

“I am honored and excited to lead PBT into a new era as its seventh artistic director,” said McKinney. “Internally, I most look forward to building upon PBT’s significant ballet legacy by curating meaningful and innovative season programming, working with and mentoring company artists and PBT School students and developing relationships with the PBT staff. Many have prepared PBT and me for this moment, which I do not take lightly. Together we have an extraordinary opportunity to build PBT and Pittsburgh’s arts and culture ecology. Externally, I am moved to meet the people of Pittsburgh. Under my leadership, I will work to develop relationships in and with the broader communities to ensure that all people know that they are welcome and belong at PBT.”

“We are so excited to welcome Adam to PBT,” stated Acting Executive Director Kathryn Gigler. “He brings with him incredible creativity, energy and kindness and his leadership is going to have such a positive impact at PBT and in Pittsburgh.”

McKinney joins the ranks of PBT’s distinguished artistic directors, including founding artistic director Nikolas Petrov; Patricia Wilde, who from 1982 to 1996 invigorated the company with the works of contemporary choreographers; Terrence S. Orr, who led the company from 1997 to 2020, and elevated its repertoire through artistic vision and creative collaboration; and Susan Jaffe, whose tenure from 2020 to 2022 included launching the Open Air outdoor ballet series and spearheading digital programming, including the award-winning Fireside Nutcracker. McKinney succeeds Jaffe, now artistic director at American Ballet Theatre.

About Adam W. McKinney

Adam W. McKinney has a diverse and accomplished background in arts leadership across the globe, having served as an arts organization director, tenured professor, choreographer, dancer, educator and activist. McKinney was most recently an Associate Professor of Dance in Ballet with tenure in the School for Classical & Contemporary Dance at Texas Christian University. There he taught courses in classical ballet, modern dance and choreography. He was the Co-Director/Co-Founder of DNAWORKS, an arts and service organization committed to healing through the arts and dialogue. Previously, he was the inaugural Dance Department Chair at New Mexico School for the Arts in Santa Fe.

He has danced with some of the world’s preeminent dance companies, including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Béjart Ballet Lausanne (Switzerland), Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet and Milwaukee Ballet Company.

McKinney has led dance work with diverse populations across the U.S. and North America, and in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. A leader who is committed to making ballet and dance accessible to all, he served as a U.S. Embassy Culture Connect Envoy to South Africa through the U.S. State Department. McKinney has created community social justice and awareness projects including the interactive Fort Worth Lynching Tour: Honoring the Memory of Mr. Fred Rouse and “The Borders Project” at the Mexico/U.S. and Palestine/Israel borders. He was also honored with the NYU President’s Service Award for his dance work with populations who struggle with heroin addiction.  

McKinney was named one of the most influential African Americans in Milwaukee by St. Vincent DePaul. He holds a BFA in Dance Performance with high honors with a focus on classical ballet from Butler University and an MA in Dance Studies with concentrations in Race and Trauma theories from the Gallatin School at New York University.

After a national search, PUMP’s Board of Directors has named Josiah Gilliam as the new Executive Director. A 40 Under 40 honoree in 2017, Josiah has known PUMP for many years, including serving on PUMP’s Board of Directors since 2019.

A Pittsburgh native that boomeranged in and out of the city, Josiah now lives in downtown Pittsburgh and, when not working in the community, can often be found hitting the streets and trails of Pittsburgh on his bike or exploring Pittsburgh’s cultural and restaurant scenes.

PUMP’s mission is to make Pittsburgh the most dynamic and diverse place by engaging, educating, and mobilizing all young people to create change in our community. Each year, we serve nearly 30,000 individuals, primarily under the age of 40, through our advocacy, civic, social, and recreational programming.

Josiah graduated from Penn State with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government and an Associate’s degree in Spanish Language and Literature. After graduating, Josiah came to Pittsburgh and got a job with a county Meals on Wheels provider. This experience allowed Josiah to explore the neighborhoods and communities of Allegheny County. He also was able to get to know the local nonprofit community’s impact in different areas and realize how interconnected the space is.

While working at Meals on Wheels he started making websites for nonprofits, including Homewood Children’s Village. He was soon asked to join their organization as the Web and Digital Communications Manager and Special Assistant to the CEO. It was in this role that he started understanding collective impact work, where networks of nonprofits work together in an impact area or on an initiative.

While at Homewood Children’s Village, he became the Program Manager for the My Brother’s Keeper initiative. Launched with an initial strong focus on Black men and boys, the initiative is a national network of locally-driven collective impact efforts aimed at improving lived experiences and outcomes. After catalytic grantmaking focused on addressing the digital divide and improving digital literacy, Josiah worked with the Sprout Fund and Heinz Endowments on a County-wide action plan process to articulate a vision, develop a structure, and fundraise to continue this work.  This eventually led to an opportunity to work for the City of Pittsburgh and Mayor Bill Peduto as the City’s My Brother’s Keeper Coordinator in the Mayor’s Office. Josiah was asked to stay on with the Gainey administration, where he became the Special Initiatives Coordinator for the City of Pittsburgh, focused on food equity, workforce development, youth in education, and downtown Pittsburgh as a neighborhood.

In his time on the PUMP board, Josiah served in different roles, most recently as the Board of Directors Vice Chair and chair of the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee.

When asked what made him apply for the Executive Director position, he explained, “PUMP is one of my favorite organizations with an impressive history, a strong network, compelling programs, and lots of potential. We are well-positioned for an exciting new era. After careful consideration, I felt that throwing my hat in the ring to share my perspective was the right thing to do, and I am excited about the possibilities PUMP has in front of it. And I have been inspired by many of my peers that have moved into leadership in different sectors recently and felt it was time to step forward myself. Our region deserves our best efforts, and I am excited to row together with everyone. ” said Josiah. “It’s been my absolute favorite board experience. I have served on [other boards], but I learned so much from [former PUMP CEO Brian Magee] when it comes to board governance and nonprofit leadership.” 

With this new leadership transition dovetailing with life post-Covid, PUMP is primed to usher in its next chapter. 

“PUMP is doing a lot of amazing work in Pittsburgh. Our priority is to engage our network and the broader Pittsburgh community about the organization’s future and determine how to best position PUMP for an exciting new era. Thanks to the team and board, we survived the tough first years of the pandemic and still made great strides programmatically, in particular, our increased focus on civic engagement and voting. Organizationally, we must continue to take the lessons of Covid seriously and deliver excellent and impactful experiences, build out additional partnerships and programs, invest in organizational resilience, and grow our capacity,” Josiah said.

PUMP will continue to invest in Pittsburgh Sports League (PSL), the premier example of recreation and community building in the city, because of its increased importance coming out of Covid. We will continue supporting over 863 teams, so the over 10,000 PSL athletes have great experiences. 

PUMP’s other signature programs, Kickball for a Cause, Steel City World Cup, and 40 Under 40, will also be a continued focus of the future. These are fun, participatory events, but they’re also about the future of the city and of the region in their own ways, and it is important that they become more vibrant over time, including engaging more partners and growing participation and impact. 

Josiah’s vision for PUMP is to be a switchboard that connects young professionals, community organizations, and the greater Pittsburgh region through meaningful events, programs, and causes. “That is what fosters a sense of place and community. When folks decide to stay in the region, it often comes down to knowing they’re valuable, plugged in, and making a difference. And that’s where I think PUMP can be a force for good.”

Source: PUMP

Photo credit: Christopher Sprowls Photography

After an extensive national search process, Andrew Medlar, President & Director, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, announced the appointment of Deborah J. Rogers, Ph.D. as the Library’s first Director of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility (IDEA). In this newly formed senior level position, Dr. Rogers will be responsible for the development, implementation and management of strategies to align library services, programs, practices and policies with the 127-year institution’s stated mission, values and IDEA principles. In addition, she will collaborate with library departments to improve system-wide efforts in staff recruiting and retention, marketing campaigns and public service programs.

More than 100 applicants from 17 states were considered for the position. Dr. Rogers will officially join the organization on February 20, 2023.     

“Deborah’s roots as a dynamic leader in efforts toward inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) are right here in Pittsburgh,” said Medlar. “As a proud graduate of PPS’ former Schenley High School she is no stranger to our Main Library in Oakland. We are delighted to welcome her home and very fortunate to have an educator of her caliber join our team. I’m looking forward to working with Deborah as we work toward our next strategic plan.” 

Medlar continued, “IDEA principles are core to the mission and values of the Library and have been integral in our work across the organization for many years. To remove systemic barriers to literacy and learning, we are committed to changing how historic and current structures of racism and marginalization directly affect our mission and organizational culture. For the past five years we have intentionally built an internal framework that contains a dedicated Board of Trustee IDEA Committee, staff-led Affinity Groups, as well as a staff EDI Committee to support this important work.”    

Dr. Rogers is the current co-chair for the Women of Color, Scholarship, Teaching and Activism Unit of the American Academy of Religion. Prior to her appointment at CLP, she served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Theology, Culture and Practice of Ministry at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (CRCDS) in Rochester, NY. During her career, Dr. Rogers also served in various positions at Lane College, a Historically Black College located in Jackson, TN, including Vice President for Academic Affairs; Division Chair; Assistant Professor of Religion; Director of Lane Institute; and Assistant Chaplain. She also led efforts to develop a 2.5-acre urban farm. As the inaugural director of Lane Institute, Dr. Rogers led institution-wide initiatives to equip students, faculty, staff and administrators to utilize trauma-informed approaches to student support services and peer leadership. This included the development of a “Make it Write” program which provided students with healing-centered modalities for processing emotions through creative writing.  

Dr. Rogers earned a Ph.D. in Theology and Culture from Fuller Theological Seminary, an M.A.T. from Fuller Seminary and a B.S. in Mathematics from Howard University. Her current research and writing interests include literacy, literary theory and embodied discourse; creativity, play and leadership development; black feminist and womanist thought; and food justice.  

“As a Pittsburgher at heart I’m excited by this opportunity to return to my home town to expand upon the Library’s IDEA work,” said Dr. Rogers. “I’m very much looking forward to collaborating with staff, other nonprofits and our community to advance CLP’s role as an anchor institution.”

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Board Chair Richard Harshman announced  that Kendra Whitlock Ingram has been named the Cultural Trust’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, replacing retiring President and CEO J. Kevin McMahon.

A Duquesne University graduate and current President and CEO of the Marcus Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee, WI, Ingram has held senior roles in performing arts management at some of the country’s most venerable arts institutions. Ingram will be the second female President & CEO and first person of color to be at the Cultural Trust’s helm in its 38-year history.

“Kendra’s boundless enthusiasm and breadth of experience managing a broad range of art forms have made her the number one choice to lead the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust at this important time in its history,” states Harshman. “There are so many exciting Trust projects launching now and on the horizon for which she is uniquely suited. We look forward to welcoming Kendra back to Pittsburgh to help lead the Cultural District as the Trust continues to revitalize Downtown and bring audiences back in large numbers to our theaters, galleries, public art installations, and festivals.”

David Holmberg, Highmark Health President and CEO, Cultural Trust Board Trustee, and the Chair of the search committee adds: “We were very fortunate to attract a highly qualified pool of candidates from around the globe. Kendra’s authenticity and vision especially stood out. She is going to be a hands-on leader who is positioned extraordinarily well to amplify areas where the Cultural Trust has excelled including collaboration, creativity, and innovation.”

“The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s growing regional, national, and international reputation for employing the arts as a community builder and economic catalyst is just one of the many reasons that I’m heading back to my college town,” states Ingram. “The Trust is a dynamic and truly impactful organization with a proven track record of accomplishment and leadership. I am honored and excited to have this opportunity to start a new chapter and build on the incredible story of Pittsburgh’s Downtown and vibrant Cultural District.”

Ingram brings more than 20 years of senior management performing arts experience to the role. Prior to her work at the Marcus Performing Arts Center, she served as Executive Director of the Newman Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Denver, as well as Vice President of Programming and Education at the Omaha Performing Arts Center. Ingram has also held leadership roles with the Shenandoah Conservatory, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Phoenix Symphony Orchestra and Tulsa Philharmonic. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Duquesne University, a master’s degree in business administration, from the University of Nebraska – Omaha and is an alumna of the League of American Orchestras’ Orchestra Management Fellowship Program. In 2021, Ingram was named to the Milwaukee Biz Times Notable Minority Executives List and was recently named as an honoree for the 2022 Milwaukee Business Journal’s “Women of Influence.”

Ingram serves on the Board of Governors for The Broadway League as well as the Board of Directors for Arts Midwest, National Arts Strategies, LACNA Foundation, and Black Arts MKE. She recently served as Co-Chair of the Arts and Culture Advisory Council for America 250, the U.S Semiquincentennial Commission established to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States. Ingram is a Full Tony-Voting Member of The Broadway League.

A Scranton, PA, native, Ingram and her husband Ben, a surgical oncology physician assistant, will be relocating to Pittsburgh for her new role with their two cats Larry and Lil Mama. In her spare time, she enjoys training for and participating in triathlons, practicing Handel piano suites, and attending a wide variety of performances.  She begins her tenure at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust on February 1, 2023. 

Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh announced today  (6-2-2022) that Gina Winstead will be joining the organization on July 1 as Vice President for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA). As a member of Carnegie Museums’ executive leadership, Winstead will be a highly visible leader working with colleagues across the institution to embed equity into its operations, culture, and programming. 

“With her knowledge of the field, her collaborative style, her strong commitment to change, and her deep roots in Pittsburgh, I have no doubt that Gina Winstead is the ideal person to serve as our inaugural Vice President for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility,” said Steven Knapp, President and CEO of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. “I am grateful to the staff who make up our IDEA Council for recommending the creation of this position, and I look forward to the progress I know we will make with the benefit of Gina’s thoughtful and inspirational guidance.”

Winstead comes to Carnegie Museums from Vibrant Pittsburgh, a regional thought leader in workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion, where she served as Assistant Vice President of Membership Development & External Relations, responsible for collaborating with 150 members and community partners on equity and diversity best practices. Prior to that, she worked for the Pittsburgh Technology Council as Director of Member Engagement and its first-ever Director of Diversity & Inclusion. Winstead has also worked part-time as a vice president with Women in Tech PGH, a group that partners with organizations to remove barriers for women to succeed in the technology industry.  

“I am excited to work with my colleagues at Carnegie Museums and our many partners in the community to move our IDEA initiatives forward,” Winstead said. “The future of Carnegie Museums belongs to everyone, and I look forward to playing a role in its efforts to attract, retain, and elevate diverse employees and ensure that all people see themselves reflected in the museums’ programming.

“I think the world should be better connected to all of the resources Carnegie Museums has to offer, most notably its people,” Winstead added. “I’m eager to help open doors and create greater access for those that have felt underestimated or underrepresented.”

Among her volunteer roles, Winstead serves on the boards of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, and she was a founding board member of the 412 Black Jewish Collaborative and a member of the Allegheny Conference’s Talent Committee. She attended Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business Executive Leadership and Negotiation Academy, is a graduate of the EDGE Women’s Leadership program, and earned her Bachelor of Science degree with a focus on Social Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. 

Carnegie Museums’ search for a Vice President for IDEA was led in partnership with Koya Partners, the executive search firm with an exclusive focus on recruiting senior leaders to mission-driven roles.

Jonathan Bailey Holland will join Carnegie Mellon University as the Jack G. Buncher Chair and new head of the School of Music beginning Aug. 1. Most recently, Holland served as chair of composition, contemporary music and core studies at Boston Conservatory at Berklee, a position he has held since 2016 in addition to serving as professor of composition.

After earning his bachelor's degree in composition from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, Holland earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University.

His educational, academic and professional experience spans public and private institutions; world-class conservatory and university training; and urban music college and conservatory instruction — all of which have helped to shape his vision of the necessary elements to nurture artistic acumen and proficiency.

Holland joined Berklee College of Music in 2000 as assistant professor of composition, later being named associate professor and full professor there, serving on various committees and contributing to curriculum review initiatives. From 2005 to 2017, he worked with the Educational Testing Service in Ewing, N.J. on the development of advanced placement music theory examinations and co-lead professional development seminars for music theory teachers. In 2016, he became part of the Curtis Summerfest Young Artist Summer Program faculty and in 2021 served as the Institute's Sphinx Performance Academy Composition faculty. That same year, he was a guest faculty member at the Composer's Institute of the Lake George Music Festival. Holland also served on the faculty at Vermont College of Fine Arts where he helped to establish a low-residency MFA program in music composition — one of the first of its kind.

An acclaimed composer, Holland has been commissioned by the American Composers Orchestra, the American Guild of Organists and Arx Duo, and his work has been performed by such artists and ensembles as the LA Philharmonic, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Eighth Blackbird, as well as Awadagin Pratt and Roomful of Teeth. He served as the first ever composer-in-residence with the Cincinnati Symphony, which included curating a concert at the National Freedom Center Underground Railroad Museum, and leading a young composers competition. Recent honors and awards include a Brother Thomas Fellowship from The Boston Foundation, an Artist Fellowship from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and a Fromm Commission from the Fromm Foundation at Harvard. He is the recipient of a just-announced 2022 Guggenheim Music Fellowship and will serve as an artist-in-residence at Civitella Ranieri in Italy during summer 2023.

He believes that one of the most important aspects of his role as the new head of the CMU School of Music will be to continue his history of fostering a sense of community among various areas of study within the school. His plans also include curriculum and program development, and a continued commitment to school- and college-wide initiatives centered on diversity, equity and inclusion.

"I look forward to continuing and expanding the opportunities available within and beyond the Carnegie Mellon School of Music," Holland said. "The future of our field is evolving at an ever-increasing rate of speed, and today's students need to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to be agile and adaptable to the ways in which music is made and experienced, while remaining rooted in the foundations of the artform. Carnegie Mellon is uniquely equipped to achieve these goals, and I am excited to help lead the school into its next chapter."

"Jonathan Bailey Holland is a celebrated creator of new music, a devoted and inspiring teacher, and a leader known for building community," said Mary Ellen Poole, dean of the College of Fine Arts at CMU. "We are in very good hands for the adventures ahead."

Poole also extended her thanks to the search committee members and the School of Music's Student Advisory Board for their tireless work, which culminated in Holland's appointment.

"We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the search advisory committee, chaired by our unflappable and persistent Senior Associate Dean Eric Anderson, and ably supported by Sharon Guberman," she said. "Members were Frederic Chiu, Daniel Nesta Curtis, Thomas Douglas, Jocelyn Dueck, Ross Garin, Megan Grady, Micah Howard, Annie Hui-Hsin Hsieh, Lance LaDuke, Stephen Neely and Alexa Woloshyn."

Source:  CMU

  PNC Bank today announces that Gina Coleman will lead the bank’s diversity and inclusion efforts as Chief Diversity Officer, effective Jan. 1, 2022. She succeeds Marsha Jones, who has successfully led PNC’s Diversity and Inclusion efforts for the past decade, and who is retiring.

As Chief Diversity Officer, Coleman will help to develop strategies and programs that allow PNC to build and sustain a talented, diverse workforce, and further a culture of inclusion at PNC. She will also co-chair the PNC Corporate Diversity Council with William S. Demchak, PNC chairman, president and chief executive officer, to focus on embedding inclusion into every aspect of the organization. 

“PNC has long embraced diversity and inclusion as core values, and we are excited to have Gina in this role to be a partner in developing strategies that allow us to recruit, retain and advance diverse talent at PNC,” said Demchak. “Gina will also help to ensure that PNC continues our commitment to growing an increasingly diverse customer base by supporting business initiatives geared toward understanding the unique financial needs of our customers and the communities where our employees live and work.”

Coleman has previously held roles within PNC, most recently as the Client and Community Relations director in the regional president’s office for the Detroit market. In that role, she was responsible for managing PNC’s local PNC Foundation giving, corporate initiatives; marketing, client relations, and community outreach. She also has held roles within PNC’s Workplace Banking, Community Development Banking and Wealth Management. Coleman rejoined PNC in Aug. 2021 after serving as chief sales officer for MassMutual Great Lakes, where she led the new advisor sales teams, including a female financial services group, recruiting, strategic sales, and partnerships.

In 2018, Coleman was recognized as a PNC Performance Award winner, the highest employee recognition honor. Within PNC, Coleman is widely respected for her commitment to leading financial education efforts, building market and community partnerships, and driving engagement in PNC’s market-level diversity and inclusion initiatives. This includes serving as a PNC-Certified Women’s Business Advocate and a founding member of PNC’s Women Connect Employee Business Resource Group. 

“It is a privilege to lead PNC’s diversity and inclusion efforts, particularly at this important moment in time,” said Coleman. “I do not take this responsibility lightly and understand that I am fortunate to be building on the foundation laid by Marsha Jones. She has led PNC through an inspiring D&I journey from inception of this role to present day. My vision is to move PNC’s efforts forward, with clear objectives and increased transparency that assess the impact of our D&I strategy on our colleagues, customers, community members, and shareholders. I am excited about the journey ahead.”

“As a long-time D&I champion and change-agent, Gina is the right person to receive this leadership baton from Marsha,” said Richard Bynum, PNC chief corporate responsibility officer. “Gina is committed to bringing her passion for people, her personal, entrepreneurial and business experience, and ‘drive for impact’ to this transformational role.”

Coleman currently serves as board chair for Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan, and a board member with Beyond Basics, Detroit Public Schools Foundation, and Inforum Michigan. She is a member of the Greater Wayne County Chapter, The Links, Inc. Coleman graduated from Montclair State University in 1991 and is a graduate of Leadership Detroit Class of XXXVI.

Source: PNC

Denele, a Homewood native who holds degrees from University of Pittsburgh (B.A.) and Carnegie Mellon University (Master of Science, Public Policy & Management), is currently Grow Pittsburgh’s Director of Farm Education and has been with the organization for more than five years. In that time, she has been integral to expanding food access initiatives across Allegheny County, strengthening relationships with the community, and leading efforts to expand programs and seedling production at Grow Pittsburgh’s newest urban farm site, Garden Dreams Urban Farm & Nursery in Wilkinsburg.

“It has been such an honor and privilege to work at Grow Pittsburgh over the last five years with an amazing staff and community partners,” Denele said. “I am looking forward to stepping into this leadership role and continuing Grow Pittsburgh’s work to ensure everyone benefits from urban agriculture and has access to fresh produce.”

An exciting new phase of growth is already in progress with new greenhouse construction and site redevelopment underway at Garden Dreams. Denele will lead the completion of this project, which will increase capacity for urban farmers and gardeners by creating an agriculture hub and social enterprise in Wilkinsburg that will be home to a retail seedling business, new greenhouse space, youth job training program, an urban farmer workshare program, and an educational workshop series that will support the strong network of gardeners and urban farmers throughout Allegheny County for generations to come.

“We were looking for a leader who would build on the organization’s 15-year track record of seeding the work of urban agriculture in the region,” said Anne Marie Toccket, Chair of the Grow Pittsburgh Board of Directors. “After a national search, we were pleased to find that we needed to look no further than our own backyard: Denele Hughson, with her passion for our mission, extensive experience in farm education and production in our community, and can-do attitude for our next phase of growth, was the natural choice to be the next Executive Director.”

Grow Pittsburgh also bids a fond farewell to our outgoing Executive Director, Jake Seltman. “The board of directors thanks Jake for his years of passion, service, and vision at Grow Pittsburgh,” Toccket added. “Under his leadership, the organization grew in its financial position, internal culture and values, and became a household name in the work of backyard, schoolyard, and community gardening in Pittsburgh. His legacy is one that Grow Pittsburgh will benefit from for decades to come.”

Jake will be working closely with Denele early in this year to ensure a smooth transition. We are excited to have Denele take the lead on January 19, 2021.

After a comprehensive national search, Wanda Heading-Grant has been selected as Carnegie Mellon University's inaugural vice provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and chief diversity officer. Heading-Grant, who is currently vice president for DEI at the University of Vermont, will begin her new role at Carnegie Mellon on April 1. She will also hold a faculty appointment as Distinguished Service Professor in the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy.

During her 30-year tenure at the University of Vermont, Heading-Grant has advised senior leadership on essential policies, programs and strategies to achieve inclusive excellence while ensuring every member of the university community received the support necessary to thrive. She established programs and policies fundamental to the advancement of DEI, including tools to enhance and innovate employee performance and professional development opportunities.

Heading-Grant has been widely recognized for her dedication to social justice issues, her sponsorship of women leaders in higher education and her strong leadership that promotes well-being in the workplace and in the classroom.

Carnegie Mellon first committed in 2019 to establish a new vice provost position to lead a university-wide office dedicated to providing accountability, leadership and resources for DEI initiatives. In July 2020, CMU President Farnam Jahanian furthered this commitment as part of numerous actions in the university's official pledge to Confront Racism and Promote Equity and Inclusion.

“Bringing about a more diverse, inclusive and equitable future for Carnegie Mellon University requires sustained engagement from every member of this community and the commitment of university leadership at every level,” said Jahanian. “As a well-respected advocate and leader in higher education, Dr. Wanda Heading-Grant is a critical addition to the university leadership team and an invaluable asset to our community during this important journey. I look forward to relying on her significant expertise as we work towards ensuring all students, faculty and staff can find a sense of belonging at CMU and feel pride in our institution’s role in promoting a more equitable world.”

"The vice provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion plays an integral role in promoting inclusivity and diversity, challenging the status quo and maintaining a robust dialogue centered around anti-racist practices and the research that supports it," said Carnegie Mellon Provost James H. Garrett Jr. "With a wealth of experience both professionally and with non-profit organizations and civil rights advisory committees, I am confident Dr. Heading-Grant will provide the strong leadership necessary to enact real and lasting changes in how CMU addresses racism, classism, sexism and the language of othering."

As the university's chief diversity officer, Heading-Grant will be instrumental in long-range DEI planning and implementation. This includes coordinating with each of the academic and administrative units in overseeing their five-year strategic DEI plans and college-based commitments. She also will oversee the Office of Title IX Initiatives and jointly oversee the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion with the Division of Student Affairs.

"What most attracted me to this role was Carnegie Mellon's willingness to identify the many isms that plague our society and name the echoes of oppression and privilege that still exists in our communities," Heading-Grant said. "There aren't many institutions of higher education that take this important first step of committing to the eradication and dismantling of racism. Throughout the search process it was clear to me that CMU had something quite special — an earnest charge to tackle and combat racism combined with a real desire to take their commitments to the next level through concrete action."

The creation of the new vice provost role came after months of educational preparation and listening, both within the university administration and across the broader campus community.

"Carnegie Mellon is so very fortunate to have attracted Dr. Heading-Grant to serve as its inaugural vice provost for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion," said Linda Babcock, Social and Decisions Sciences Department head and James M. Walton Professor in Economics in the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, who served as co-chair of the vice provost search committee. "Her vast experience leading change in the academy, her passion for and commitment to creating an anti-racist culture, and her ability to build trust and develop strong relationships among a diverse set of stakeholders make her an ideal choice for this important new role at CMU."

"In addition to Dr. Heading-Grant's extensive leadership experience, her support for and hands on approach to professional development in support of social justice goals, and her successful efforts to create bridges to communities external to the university greatly impressed the committee members and the community members who interviewed her, affirming her exemplary qualifications for our inaugural VP-DEI position," said fellow search committee co-chair Eric Anderson, associate professor in the School of Design and senior associate dean of the College of Fine Arts.

"Throughout the search process it was clear to me that CMU had something quite special — an earnest charge to tackle and combat racism combined with a real desire to take their commitments to the next level through concrete action." — Wanda Heading-Grant

"Dr. Heading-Grant is a highly regarded influencer and transformative leader for inclusive excellence and understands the importance of intersectionality in student engagement and has a legacy of uplifting student voices," said M. Shernell Smith, associate dean and executive director of the CMU Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion. "She stood out in the selection process as a trusted, highly visible and transparent leader who traverses the campus community with a lens focused on equity and collaborative learning. She models restorative justice practices in her daily interactions at the University of Vermont and I am very excited to see how our Carnegie Mellon DEI values will be realized under her leadership."

Shawn Blanton, the Trustee Professor of Electrical and Computing Engineering, has served as interim vice provost since September 2020. He will return to his role as a full-time faculty member in the College of Engineering this coming summer.

"We are grateful to professor Blanton for his willingness to serve in this interim role," Garrett said. "Shawn oversaw the expansion of our GEM fellowship program to meet the unique needs of underrepresented professional master's and doctoral students in all seven colleges and schools at the university. In addition, his focus on expansion of CMU's local community engagement provides a solid foundation for ongoing efforts to attract and retain underrepresented students from the Pittsburgh area as undergraduates."

"I also want to thank the search committee — and especially Eric, Linda and Associate Provost Becky Culyba who served as co-chairs — for their outstanding efforts throughout the process," Garrett added. "The committee's exceptional guidance and vision have allowed us to welcome the ideal leader for our new Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion."

Carnegie Mellon University is committed to the principle of equity as a partner to excellence as the foundation for ensuring that faculty, staff and students have the opportunity to succeed and to thrive at the university. To nurture and sustain this commitment, Carnegie Mellon strives to be a diverse community that reflects the gender, racial, ethnic and other demographic profiles of its regional, national and global constituencies. 

Source: CMU

Port Authority of Allegheny County announced today that human resources veteran Fonda Dusé has been chosen to fill its newly created position of director of diversity and inclusion.

She began her role on January 11.

Ms. Dusé is charged with implementing and leading Port Authority's agency-wide equity and inclusion strategy and program development; bringing external and emerging trends into the agency's cultural environment; analyzing current programs and policies to present recommendations for improvement; and developing and promoting training programs to enhance employee understanding on inclusion issues.

She reports to Inez Colon, Port Authority's chief human resources officer, as well as CEO Katharine Kelleman.

"The creation of this role was a critical step toward identifying, addressing and improving equity within our organization, and it will not be the last,” Kelleman said. “Through Fonda’s work we will initiate meaningful change that we hope will foster a safe, supportive and productive environment for all of our employees and the community we serve.

“We are very excited to bring Fonda on board. Her success is our success.”

Ms. Dusé has nearly two decades of human resources experience. She has successfully created, developed and implemented diversity and inclusion initiatives for 11 organizations in five different industries, including transportation and other government-regulated companies, and has developed multiple training programs, including a program on Diversity Awareness. Prior to joining Port Authority, she served as principal of her own company, iHR Pro LLC. 

Ms. Dusé earned her bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and her Master’s degree in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations from Saint Francis University. She also holds several certifications in HR-related areas.