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Carnegie Hero Fund Commission
  • Heroes
    • Latest Award Announcements
      • Award Announcement Archive
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      • Two-time Carnegie Medal recipients
    • Search Heroes
    • Resources for Heroes & Families
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      • Update Contact Information
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  • Nominate
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  • About
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  • News
    • Impulse Archives
    • Impulse Index
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    • Media Coverage
  • Resources
    • A Century of Heroes
    • Power of One Archive: Hero Fund Awards 10,000th Carnegie Medal
      • Speeches from Power of One Event
    • Annual Reports
    • About Andrew Carnegie
    • European Hero Funds
    • Resources for Media/Presenters
    • Centennial Archive
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Award Announcement Archive Heroes
Officer John Smith, 2019 Awardee

Carnegie Hero Fund appoints director of operations to lead organization’s day-to-day activities

Posted on September 12, 2022 by Jewels Phraner

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 1, 2022 – The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission is adding to its leadership team with the appointment of Melissa Wade as Director of Operations effective Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022.

Wade brings a wealth of non-profit experience primarily in the areas of outreach and community relations, most recently having served as director of constituent relations for Allegheny County where she was charged with facilitating internal and external programs and activities on behalf of the Office of the County Executive.

She has worked as senior communications director for VisitPITTSBURGH, a tourism and marketing agency for the Pittsburgh region; public health information officer for the Allegheny County Health Department; and creative services producer and event coordinator for KDKA-TV.

“I am thrilled to join the Hero Fund staff. Honoring heroes for saving others is an exciting cause to serve, and I’m looking forward to contributing to the organization’s innerworkings to keep the Hero Fund as relevant and efficient as ever,” Wade said.

This newly created position will work closely with the Fund’s president and oversee the organization’s day-to-day operations including human relations, outreach, vendor relations, program and data management, special projects, and more.

“The Hero Fund has been awarding the Carnegie Medal for 118 years, and we continue to do that well,” said Eric Zahren, Hero Fund chairman. “But Melissa joins a storied cause at a time of important change and pursuit of wider goals for the fund envisioned by Mr. Carnegie. Melissa has the vision and skillset to help us keep pace with new challenges as we continue to recognize and support civilian heroism in the 21st century.”

The Pittsburgh-based Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, a private operating foundation, awards the Carnegie Medal to civilians who enter extraordinary danger while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. Throughout the more than 118 years since the Fund was established by industrialist-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, $44 million has been given in one-time grants, scholarship aid, death benefits, and continuing assistance to recipients of the Carnegie Medal or their families.

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