ϳԹ will formally open its Pittsburgh office with an open house Nov. 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the community.
The Pittsburgh office, located in the National City Building, 20 Stanwix St., is staffed by Pittsburgh native Debra Valentine-Gray, who serves as the director of regional advancement.
Valentine-Gray joined the IUP staff in July. She formerly worked as senior director of development of Junior Achievement of Southern California.
She is a graduate of Langley High School, The Wheeler School, and Point Park University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and communications in 1977. She also studied early childhood education at the University of California at Los Angeles and California State University, Dominguez Hills.
“Debra offers a wealth of experience working with nonprofit organizations, both from the fundraising and corporate grant making sides, and will be an excellent addition to the IUP development team,” Vice President for University Relations and Executive Director of the Foundation for IUP Dr. Robert O. Davies said.
“Debra has a proven track record of stewardship and donor relations. In addition to her professional experience, as a Pittsburgh native Debra is an excellent fit for this new position. IUP is pleased to welcome her back home to western ϳԹ.”
After graduation from Point Park University, Valentine-Gray began her corporate career at Westinghouse Electric Corp.'s construction group as a marketing trainee, where one of her assignments sent her to Los Angeles.
“I've come full circle in my life and career, as my current office faces the building where it all started. It's good to be home,” Valentine-Gray said.
In her work with Junior Achievement, she provided leadership and strategic direction working with the executive team, board and committee members to advance corporate and individual donor engagement. She also worked as development director of Pilgrim School of Los Angeles and as director of resource development for United Way Inc. of Los Angeles.
Valentine-Gray also worked as the program administrator for the United Airlines Foundation of United Airlines. During her work there, United was recognized with a Corporate Excellence in Community Service Award from the Points of Light Foundation. Her work involved identifying and creating community service opportunities that increased visibility of United Airlines in targeted markets, including the “United We Care” employee giving campaign for more than 10,000 employees in the Los Angeles area.
Valentine-Gray has assumed community leadership roles throughout her career, including service on the Los Angeles United Way Employee Campaign Council, The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club and Lullaby Guild.
Valentine-Gray and her son, Joshua, live in Pittsburgh.
IUP has more than 2,200 current students from Allegheny County and more than 13,500 graduates who reside in the greater Pittsburgh area. IUP also offers undergraduate and graduate coursework at its Monroeville Center at Penn Center East.