Board of Directors

Michelle is responsible for the strategic direction, development and management of the Pittsburgh Foundation’s core grant-making programs. She is the first Black woman to oversee grant-making programs at the Foundation and is the second Black woman vice president in the Foundation’s history. Michelle joined the Foundation in 2014 and has served in multiple roles of increasing responsibility, including senior program officer and director of grantmaking. Over her tenure, she has led the creation of innovative initiatives, which include Small and Mighty, the Social Justice Fund and the Grantmaking for Racial Justice Fund, all of which increase access to funding for small, community-based nonprofits and Black and Brown-led organizations.   

Marisol Valentin is the Executive Director for McAuley Ministries, the foundation arm of Pittsburgh Mercy Health Systems. She also worked as the Compliance, Integrity and Risk Officer for Pittsburgh Mercy Health Systems for 4 years. Her passion is developing innovative ways to improve organizations through empowerment initiatives that create positive changes for all stakeholders.

Prior to coming to Pittsburgh Mercy she worked for 6 years on public health improvement projects with Ministries of Health in the Caribbean. Marisol holds a B.S. in International Business from Duquesne University and a Certificate from La Roche University and RedR on Global Development and Humanitarian Aid. She has 25 years of experience in marketing, international communications, and project management. Marisol also holds a strong background in database management, event planning, workforce development, community leadership and non-profit management. In addition to her role at Pittsburgh Mercy, Marisol serves on the board of The Provider Alliance, an organization that supports agencies that serve people with intellectual disability and autism across Pennsylvania, the Human Services Center Mon Valley which improves the quality of life for children, adults, and families in the Mon Valley area, and Grantmakers of Southwestern PA, a network of organizations and individuals that practice and promote excellence in philanthropy – supporting an effective, growing philanthropic community that strengthens the Southwestern Pennsylvania region.

When not working, she and her family enjoy travelling and exploring new places especially beaches.

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In December of 2020, Phil Koch was named vice president, Policy and Community Impact for The Pittsburgh Foundation. In this capacity, Koch pursues positive social change by partnering with Foundation leadership and other staff to set public policy priorities, works with outside stakeholders to implement these priorities and develops opportunities for community investments.

Prior to this, Phil served for five years as the executive director of The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County (CFWC), an affiliate of The Pittsburgh Foundation, which encourages Westmoreland County residents to become philanthropists. CFWC also provides grants that support a wide variety of nonprofit organizations and serves as a community leader. In this capacity, he created the WestCo Nonprofit Network, a coalition of more than 160 organizations that provide opportunities for networking, education and advocacy to strengthen the sector in the county.

Phil has been working to strengthen communities for more than 20 years. He began his career as an elementary and middle school teacher in the Chicago Public Schools and later taught in Pittsburgh Public Schools. In 2005, Phil left the classroom and began working in the nonprofit sector as the Pittsburgh Director for MGR Youth Empowerment, a direct service nonprofit focused on youth development.  As the National Executive Director, Phil grew the organization to five metropolitan cities, impacting over 50,000 youth during his tenure. 

Phil obtained his bachelor’s degree from Wittenberg University and his master’s degree in professional leadership and nonprofit management from Carlow University. He lives with his wife, Deanna, and their three sons in Pittsburgh’s West End.

Angie Berzonski joined the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies in 2011 as its first Program and Communications Officer. In late 2019, following a year of increased grantmaking and outreach across western Pennsylvania, the Foundation’s board of directors named Angie its Associate Director. In this role, she helps local nonprofits learn more about grant opportunities, manages the Foundation’s grantmaking programs, and assists the executive director with management responsibilities. Prior to joining the Community Foundation, she was editor of Johnstown Magazine and worked in public relations, television, and radio.

Melanie Claxton is a Senior Program Officer of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation. In this role, Melanie oversees the Foundation’s grantmaking programs in education across southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

With a strong background in traditional K-12 education and out-of-school time programming, Ms. Claxton has worked with dedicated professionals across the sector to ensure young people in her region have access to high-quality learning opportunities and experiences. Specifically, Melanie has led local system and capacity-building initiatives, as well as statewide advocacy efforts, to improve the delivery of quality educational services to youth. 

In addition to her professional work, Ms. Claxton is actively engaged on several boards and advisory groups, including the Pennsylvania School-Age Child Care Alliance (PENN SACCA), Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST), Neighborhood Learning Alliance, Contemporary Craft, the West Virginia Public Education Collaborative, and is a member of the Remake Learning Cabinet.

Melanie holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor and a M.S. in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College

Lindsay joined Eden Hall Foundation in January 2023 as the Finance Officer. She works closely with the executive director and administration manager to ensure that the Foundation’s accounting and reporting needs are being met and are in compliance with regulations. She also assists the Foundation in acting as liaison with the outside investment managers and works closely with the Foundation’s investment committee.
Lindsay graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, where she received her bachelor's degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in accounting. Upon graduation, she began working for a CPA firm in the Pittsburgh area where she grew her experience in a wide range of areas of public accounting. At the onset of her career, she obtained her CPA certification and remained in public accounting for 15 years, growing her skills and knowledge in various aspects of accounting, auditing, and other business services. This included assisting clients in the areas of: audits of not-for-profits, private companies, local governments and compliance audits for higher education institutions; attestation engagements; taxation of individuals, partnerships and corporations; and business advisory services.  Through her hard work and dedication to her job and clients, she was promoted to partner in the local CPA firm, R.D. Hoag & Associates, until she made the transition to the non-profit industry by joining Eden Hall Foundation. 

Lindsay and her husband live in the Crafton area, and when she is not assisting the Foundation with it’s fiscal and operational needs, she enjoys spending time in the outdoors and traveling to new places with her family and friends. "In every walk with Nature, one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir - Father of the National Parks

Gina Evans has more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, fund development, and philanthropy. Currently, Gina serves as the senior Program Officer for the McElhattan Foundation, a private family foundation located in Pittsburgh. Gina leads the Foundation’s grantmaking in education, directing investments that align with the McElhattan mission, to preserve and enhance human life. Through this work, Gina leverages her own commitment to lifelong learning in conjunction with nearly two decades of progressive leadership in nonprofit strategy, fundraising, marketing, board and volunteer management, and government relations. Prior to this role, Gina served as Director of External Affairs for the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, leading the Museum’s integrated fundraising, marketing, and communication and successfully completing a $19 million capital campaign to open MuseumLab, a new museum for older kids. Additional roles in the museum and human services field, in Philadelphia and Chicago respectively, round out Gina’s nonprofit experience. Ms. Evans is a graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh, Class XXXIV, and serves on the board of directors of Radiant Hall and Allegheny Partners for Out of School Time (APOST). A native of Pittsburgh, Gina attended Penn State University and lives in Edgewood with her husband and two sons.

Amy Franz is a nonprofit leader with extensive experience in fund development and relationship building.  In September 2018, she joined the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania as Butler region director. She now holds the role of regional vice president and leads and mobilizes the business community and organizations to help local people in need measurably improve their lives by creating long-lasting change for the betterment of communities throughout Armstrong, Butler, Fayette and Westmoreland counties.

Following a 26-year career with the Boy Scouts of America, Amy formed AD Franz Consulting, where she assisted nonprofit clients with fundraising strategy, donor cultivation and strategic planning.  While at the Boy Scouts, Amy held numerous positions in the greater Pittsburgh region, each with increasing responsibility. She served as staff adviser to two strategic planning processes and an $11 million capital campaign that raised funds to develop and improve properties in Allegheny, Beaver, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

Amy is a member of Seton Hill University’s Social Work Advisory Board and the WestCo Nonprofit Network organizing committee. She serves on the Butler County Emergency Food and Shelter Program board and is a graduate of Leadership Butler County Class of 2021. 

Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She and her husband reside in Franklin Park and have two children. She is active in her community and serves as the president of the school district’s chapter of PAGE (Pennsylvania Association of Gifted Education).

A driven and mission-focused executive, Dr. Gadson has built a fulfilling and successful career in non-profit management, development, education, equity centered practices, and community service. With a passion for addressing the need for racial equity, raising awareness, elevating thinking and conversations relating to equity and justice, she is a seasoned strategic thinker with persuasive and passionate communication skills. She has enjoyed proven success in cultivating Board of Director and stakeholder relationships and effectively utilizes organizational leadership strategies to develop shared vision, to improve organizational outcomes and to coach teams.

Presley L. Gillespie is the inaugural president of Neighborhood Allies, a community development intermediary supporting the people, organizations, and partnerships committed to creating and maintaining thriving Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

Mac Howison (he/him) is a senior program officer at The Heinz Endowments, where his work focuses primarily on grantmaking and strategic initiatives that advance a vision of southwestern Pennsylvania as a vibrant center of creativity, learning, and social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

For 20 years, Mac has designed and implemented trustworthy, strategic funding approaches for nonprofits, foundations and intermediaries that deepen relationships in the community and provide resources in consultation with neighborhood partners. He currently serves on the board of Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania, is a member of the Remake Learning Council, the EdFunders Arts Ed Impact Group and the Creative Youth Development Funders' Forum, and ex-officio chair of BikePGH.

Mac is a 2016 PLACES Equity Fellow with The Funders Network, and prior to The Heinz Endowments, he was senior program officer at The Sprout Fund. An artist, musician, and someone who loves to bike, run, hike, and play outside, Mac holds a M.Ed. from Harvard Graduate School of Education and B.F.A. from Carnegie Mellon University.

Ray leads UPMC Health Plan’s Center for Social Impact, an office charged with implementing programs that meet social needs which impact health, quality, and cost. The Center’s work is focused on employment, housing, health equity, supporting underserved populations, and collaboration with human services and community-based organizations Previously, Ray led the proposal, implementation, and operations for UPMC Community HealthChoices, Pennsylvania’s Medicaid Managed Care for “dual eligibles” and people with long-term services and supports. Prior, he had responsibility for Medicare strategy, finance and analytics and for SNP products. Before joining UPMC Health Plan, Ray served in various capacities at the Pennsylvania Department of Aging from 2005 to 2011.

Ilene is the Director of Planning and Impact at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh where she is responsible for building the Federation’s role as a convener on community issues and as a steward of community dollars. Previously, Ilene was the Chief Operating Officer at Sacred Spaces, an organization focused on addressing and preventing abuse in Jewish institutions. She has also worked at the New York Public Library as a librarian and a development officer and has experience at environmental non-profit organizations in New York City and Washington D.C. Ilene holds a master’s degree in information and library science from the Pratt Institute and a bachelor’s degree in history and women’s studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Photo credit: Joshua Franzos

Kristy Trautmann, M.S., is executive director of FISA Foundation, a charitable grantmaking foundation focused on improving the lives of women, girls, and people with disabilities. In addition to overseeing a diverse portfolio of grants, under Ms. Trautmann’s leadership FISA has undertaken regional initiatives to promote accessible health care, end cycles of domestic and sexual violence, address systematic inequities facing girls of color, and promote employment and social inclusion of people with disabilities. She has a Master’s of Science degree in nonprofit management from Robert Morris University. Prior to FISA, Ms. Trautmann worked at Pittsburgh Action Against Rape and the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh. She is the founder of Southwest PA Says No More, an effort to prevent domestic and sexual violence, was founder and former co-chair of the Girls Coalition of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and has served on numerous other boards and advisory committees.