Above. ECO 2024 Board Retreat.
The Etna Community Organization did an open call for new board members at the end of 2024 and received a wide range of very qualified applicants. As a result, ECO has expanded its board as well as committee positions and are thrilled to welcome four new board members and six new committee members to our organization.
Our new board members will assist in overseeing nonprofit governance and operations, and our new committee members will help with the Etna Center for Community building project as well as developing programs for our new facility.
NEW BOARD MEMBERS:
Kim Burke
Kim and her husband moved to Etna in 1987 and raised our three children here. She works as a Registered Nurse in a neonatal intensive care unit at Magee Women's Hospital. She has witnessed some of the challenges Etna has faced over the years but feels that this recent resurgence of volunteers and commitment has brought new enthusiasm and the energy to make positive changes to the community . She thinks that the ECO organization has been the foundation for this and wants to be a part of this growth and bright future for Etna.
Will Gazica
Will has worked as a System Analyst for UPMC for the past 10 years. He was born, raised, and started a family in Etna. He is a third generation Etnian, living just down the street from his parents and his grandmother. So when he thinks of Etna, he thinks of 'family'. The reason why he wants to serve is to help build resources that our community can use for generations to come. The thing he loves about Etna is the residents. He says,
"It's awesome to see so many different people volunteer and work together to make Etna a better place."
Emily Concelman
Emily moved to Etna in 2021 with her now husband, Sam, and dog, Molly. She came to Pittsburgh to pursue work in educational equity, specifically in advocating for learning in non-traditional educational settings. She currently works for Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time, a local out-of-school time (OST) advocacy intermediary organization, to help tell the stories of OST organizations in Allegheny County for increased resources and funding. Emily stated,
"It’s clear how much Etna thrives on the investment of the people. Community engagement is not linear, and one of Etna’s biggest assets I fell in love with immediately is its ability to engage every person in unique ways that suit them. Because of this, I’m excited to support ECO’s role in continuing to build out diverse programs, opportunities, and resources for people to take part in. I’m so thankful to have joined the ECO Board of Directors and to be able to contribute to Etna the way it has provided such value to me."
McKenna Gilbert
McKenna Gilbert is an experienced corporate and nonprofit communications professional with nearly a decade dedicated to developing and delivering on strategic brand and reputation campaigns. Currently she works for NiSource and manages social media strategy for the corporate and six utility brands across key platforms.
Since moving to the Etna community, McKenna was impressed by the strength and resilience of the community and was inspired to get involved. She is excited to provide guidance and strategic counsel to help advance the goals of ECO, its programs, and the Etna Center for Community.
She loves walking her dogs around Etna and saying, “Hi,” to all the friendly neighbors. She also loves supporting Etna’s great businesses. McKenna encourages everyone she meets to visit Etna and see firsthand how welcoming and strong our community is.
Reflections
Thank you to everyone who stepped up to become involved in ECO this year. It is ECO's mission to empower everyone to get involved and help to lead our community toward a vibrant future for all. If you'd like to get involved as a volunteer with ECO, reach out to megan@etnacommunity.org.