Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. Names Jenn Beer,  LDI XVII, YALP IV as President & CEO Succeeding Longtime CEO Aradhna Oliphant

PITTSBURGH, May 25, 2022 – The Board of Leadership Pittsburgh Inc., (LPInc.) the region’s premier community leadership identification, connection and development organization, has named Jenn Beer as its new President & CEO, effective June 13^th. Now in its 38^th year, Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. works to strengthen community leadership through programs, partnership, and connections.

Jenn Beer, who succeeds the long-tenured and much respected Aradhna Malhotra Oliphant, comes to Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. with extensive experience in regional advocacy & leadership, most recently at Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce – an affiliate of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development.

LPInc. Board Chair Michael Zanic of K&L Gates said, “We are pleased to announce Jenn Beer as Leadership Pittsburgh’s new CEO who comes to us with a tremendous background in public policy. We look forward to her leadership following a successful period of growth for the organization during the past 15-plus years.” 

“We will miss Aradhna’s passion, creativity, and extensive reach into the region’s leadership ranks as she has long advocated for developing and connecting a diverse set of region’s leaders over the past two decades. We are grateful for her tenacity and tenure that helped to create the highest professional standards for preparing leadership talent for the marketplace and for our community. We wish her the very best – our loss is San Diego’s gain.” said Mr. Zanic. 

Pete Mendes of Mendes Consulting and Incoming Board Chair of Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. said, “Jenn is passionate about this region and committed to this community. She will collaborate with community leaders and community organizations to strengthen the leadership capacity of our region. We are thrilled to have her as our new President and CEO. We are grateful to The Richard King Mellon Foundation for its support in the transition of leadership for LPInc.”   

Outgoing President and CEO, Aradhna Oliphant, commented, “It was always my hope that when I leave this beloved and key community leadership organization, someone with high integrity, love for the region, and knowledge of public policy and market trends can take the helm to work with our wonderful board and staff to continue growing the impact of LPInc. I am so delighted that, not only does Jenn Beer represent all of these attributes, she is also an alumna of LPInc.”

A Leadership Development Initiative (a program of LPInc.) graduate, Jenn is an appointed member of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, the Pittsburgh region’s metropolitan planning organization. She serves on the board of directors for the Local Government Academy and also for Trying Together – a regional nonprofit that supports high-quality care and education for young children.

She is a member of the Host Committee for the ATHENA Awards Program of Greater Pittsburgh. Jenn’s passion for mentoring has led her to also serve as a mentor for women in the region through PA Women Work’s “Three Cups of Coffee” program.

At Leadership Pittsburgh Inc., she hopes to execute on the growth plans in place to further extend the reach of the organization. “With over three thousand graduates, LPInc.’s unique network of informed civic leaders makes a material and critical difference across organizations and sectors,” Jenn said. “I have a deep appreciation for Aradhna, the programs and graduates of LPInc. programs, the Pittsburgh region and its people. I am truly honored and excited to be able to step into this role at such a strong organization at such a pivotal moment in our region.”

Jenn Beer graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a concentration in Russian Studies. She also has a Graduate Certificate in Political Management from The George Washington University.

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