The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission is pleased to announce the election of two new members at its Sept.19 meeting.
Lisa Sylvester is a veteran network news journalist and communications specialist. Her on-air experience includes working as a main anchor in local news and as a network correspondent for CNN and ABC News. Lisa’s work has been recognized with numerous awards, including Emmys for Anchor–Best Evening Newscast, Best Anchor in the Mid-Atlantic Region, anchor for the synagogue shooting coverage, and for her reporting on Pittsburgh’s Underground Railroad, which also earned her a Golden Quill. She has also received several national awards, including a Business Emmy for CNN’s “Exporting America” series and a Peabody Award for her role in ABC’s coverage of the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks. Sylvester has a Bachelor’s in Science in International Economics from Georgetown University and a Master’s Degree from Northwestern University. In addition to the Hero Fund, she serves on the board of the Crossroads Foundation and is a member of the North Hills Ebony Women and McKnight Women’s Association.
David J. Hickton is a former U.S. attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania and founder of the University of Pittsburgh Institute for Cyber Law, Policy, and Security. Hickton also has faculty appointments as professor in Pitt’s School of Law, School of Computing and Information, and Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. Hickton served as staff director and senior counsel to the U.S. House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis from May 2020 to June 2021. He has been a staunch supporter of many civic organizations. He currently serves as the managing trustee of the National Opioid Abatement Trust II; as well as a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic & International Studies. Hickton is a 1978 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University and a 1981 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
“Lisa and David bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm for the Hero Fund’s mission of recognition and support of selfless altruism, and we welcome their expertise and perspective on the Commission’s board. As leaders in the Pittsburgh community and far beyond, we look forward to adding their significant talents to the important work of the Hero Fund moving forward,” said Eric Zahren, the Hero Fund’s president and chair.