Awards of Excellence
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Awards of Excellence

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Join us on Monday, December 4 from 5 - 7:30 p.m. for Achieva's 2023 Awards of Excellence at the Sheraton Station Square, Pittsburgh. 

Elena LaQuartra, Emcee

Elena LaQuartra, Emcee 

2023 Honorees

  • Excellence in Advocacy - Alex Brown
  • Excellence in Community Awareness - Sarah Dielman Perry, Director of Economic Opportunity, Neighborhood Allies
  • Excellence in Employment - Carla Escribano, Director of Food Services, Quaker Valley School District
  • Excellence in Family Supports - Shawn Miller
  • Excellence in Legal Services - East End Trial Group
  • Yvonne Zanos Excellence in Media - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Editorial Board
  • Excellence in Professional Service - Dr. Erin Grimm, Allegheny Intermediate Unit 3
  • Excellence in Volunteerism - Kimberly Jackson
  • Marsha S. Blanco Excellence in Community Leadership - Meredith Peterson, Executive Director, Down Syndrome Association of Pittsburgh
  • Joe Ott Award - Lisa Martinelli
  • Tony Leech Award - Kara Tjernlund
  • Cecil & David Rosenthal Community Award - Chris Jagielski
  • Sattler Humanitarian Award - Stephan Hubbard
If you would like to join in as a Sponsor, click here for Sponsorship Opportunities.

Questions or to RSVP, please contact Peggie Watson at 412.995.5000 x420.

Thanks To Our 2023 Sponsor

Seubert and Associates logo
 

Event Photos

Honorees of the 2022 Awards of Excellence were recognized on Monday, December 5, at the Sheraton, Station Square. WTAE's Elena LaQuatra emceed the event which honored the people and organizations who exemplify Achieva's mission and vision.

View The Full Gallery

Before the program begins
Before the program begins.
Honoree Awards displayed on the table
The honoree awards displayed on the table prior to the program beginning.
Mary Lou Gegick, Chair, Achieva Board of Trustees welcoming all of Achieva guests for the Awards of Excellence and introducing Elena LaQuatra, the emcee for the evening.
Mary Lou Gegick, Chair, Achieva Board of Trustees welcoming all of Achieva guests for the Awards of Excellence and introducing Elena LaQuatra, the emcee for the evening.
Elena LaQuatra, Emcee and Josh Stresing, Interpreter from SLIP
Elena LaQuatra, Emcee and Josh Stresing, our Interpreter from SLIP for the evening.
Elena LaQuatra is the event Emcee from WTAE
Elena LaQuatra is the event Emcee from WTAE.
Josh Stresing, SLIP interpreter for the event.
Josh Stresing, SLIP interpreter for the event.
Shelby-lynn Moonley giving her remarks on receiving the Excellence in Advocacy Award
Shelby-lynn Moonley giving her remarks on receiving the Excellence in Advocacy Award
Erin Gannon, Achieva Communications Aide handing award to Shelbi-lynn Moonley.
Erin Gannon, Achieva Communications Aide handing award to Shelbi-lynn Moonley.

Erin handed out the awards to all of the honorees.
Excellence in Advocacy Award
Excellence in Advocacy Award: Mary Lou Gegick, Chair, Achieva Board of Trustees; Shelbi-lynn Moonley; and Steve Suroviec, Achieva President & CEO.
Heinz History Center (Excellence in Community Awareness) employees: Anne Madarasz; Sierra Green; and Emily Ruby.
Heinz History Center (Excellence in Community Awareness) employees: Anne Madarasz; Sierra Green; and Emily Ruby.
Excellence in Community Awareness Award
Excellence in Community Awareness Award: Heinz History Center

Mary Lou Gegick, Chair, Achieva Board of Trustees; Sierra Green, Archivist; Emily Ruby, Curator; Anne Madarasz, Chief Historian and Director of the Curatorial; and Steve Suroviec, Achieva President & CEO.
John Keim, General Manager for the McDonald's in North Huntingdon, giving remarks for his Excellence in Employment award.
John Keim, General Manager for the McDonald's in North Huntingdon, giving remarks for his Excellence in Employment award.
Excellence in Employment Award
Excellence in Employment Award: McDonald's in North Huntingdon (Westmoreland County)

Mary Lou Gegick, Chair, Achieva Board of Trustees; John Keim, General Manager, McDonald's in North Huntingdon (Westmoreland County); and Steve Suroviec, Achieva President & CEO.
James Guffey, Executive Director, South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) giving his comments on receiving the Excellence in Family Supports award.
James Guffey, Executive Director, South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) giving his comments on receiving the Excellence in Family Supports award.
Excellence in Family Supports Award
Excellence in Family Supports: South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM)

Mary Lou Gegick, Chair, Achieva Board of Trustees; James Guffey, Executive Director, South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM); and Steve Suroviec, Achieva President & CEO.
Linda Anderson, Esq., Anderson Elder Law received the Excellence in Legal Services
Linda Anderson, Esq., Anderson Elder Law received the Excellence in Legal Services.
Excellence in Legal Services Award
Excellence in Legal Services Award: Mary Lou Gegick, Chair, Achieva Board of Trustees; Linda Anderson, Esq., Anderson Elder Law; and Steve Suroviec, Achieva President & CEO.
Colin Deppen, Spotlight PA, (Yvonne Zanos Excellence in Media Award) at the podium giving his acceptance remarks.
Colin Deppen, Spotlight PA, (Yvonne Zanos Excellence in Media Award) at the podium giving his acceptance remarks.
Yvonne Zanos Excellence in Media Award
Amy Lowenstein, Esq., (Excellence in Professional Service) at the podium giving her acceptance comments.
Amy Lowenstein, Esq., (Excellence in Professional Service) at the podium giving her acceptance comments.
Excellence in Professional Services Award
Excellence in Professional Award: Mary Lou Gegick, Chair, Achieva Board of Trustees; Amy Lowenstein, Esq., PA Health Law Project; and Steve Suroviec, Achieva President & CEO.
James Calhoun, Excellence in Volunteerism honoree giving his remarks.
Excellence in Volunteerism Award
Excellence in Volunteerism Award: Mary Lou Gegick, Chair, Achieva Board of Trustees; James Calhoun; and Steve Suroviec, Achieva President & CEO.
Dan LaVallee, Sr. Director, UPMC Center for Social Impact (Marsha S. Blanco Excellence in Community Leadership) giving his remarks at the podium.
Dan LaVallee, Sr. Director, UPMC Center for Social Impact (Marsha S. Blanco Excellence in Community Leadership) giving his remarks at the podium.
Marsha S. Blanco Excellence in Community Leadership
Marsha S. Blanco Excellence in Community Leadership: Mary Lou Gegick, Chair, Achieva Board of Trustees; Dan LaVallee, Senior Director, UPMC Center for Social Impact; and Steve Suroviec, Achieva President & CEO.
Brian Long, Suebert, giving the Joe Ott Award to Catherine (Kitty) Williams.
Brian Long, Suebert, giving the Joe Ott Award to Catherine (Kitty) Williams.
Catherine (Kitty) Williams (Joe Ott Award) at the podium giving her acceptance comments.
Catherine (Kitty) Williams (Joe Ott Award) at the podium giving her acceptance comments.
Joe Ott Award
Joe Ott Award: Mary Lou Gegick, Chair, Achieva Board of Trustees; Catherine (Kitty) Williams; and Steve Suroviec, Achieva President & CEO.
Kim Bond giving remarks after receiving the Tony Leech Award
Kim Bond giving remarks after receiving the Tony Leech Award.
Erin Gannon handing Kim Bond her award (Tony Leech) and the $1,000 check.
Erin Gannon handing Kim Bond her award (Tony Leech) and the $1,000 check.
Tony Leech Award
Tony Leech Award: Mary Lou Gegick, Chair, Achieva Board of Trustees; Kim Bond; and Steve Suroviec, Achieva President & CEO.
Elena LaQuartra Emcee introducing Madison (Maddy) Scarsella receiving the Cecil & David Rosenthal Community Award
Elena LaQuartra Emcee introducing Madison (Maddy) Scarsella receiving the Cecil & David Rosenthal Community Award
Madison (Maddy) Scarsella receiving her award (Cecil & David Rosenthal Community Award)
Madison (Maddy) Scarsella receiving her award (Cecil & David Rosenthal Community Award).
Cecil and David Rosenthal Community Award
Cecil and David Rosenthal Community Award: Mary Lou Gegick, Chair, Achieva Board of Trustees; Madison (Maddy) Scarsella; and Steve Suroviec, Achieva President & CEO.
Brian Long, Suebert, introducing the Rosenthal Family receiving the Sattler Humanitarian Award
Brian Long, Suebert, introducing the Rosenthal Family receiving the Sattler Humanitarian Award
The Rosenthal family (Mother Joy, Daughter Diane, Father Elie and Daughter Michele receiving the Sattler Humanitarian Award.
The Rosenthal family (Mother Joy, Daughter Diane, Father Elie and Daughter Michele receiving the Sattler Humanitarian Award.
Sattler Humanitarian Award
Sattler Humanitarian Award

Mary Lou Gegick, Chair, Achieva Board of Trustees; Rosenthal family: Mother Joy; daughter Diane; Father Elie and daughter Michele receiving the Sattler Humanitarian Award; and Steve Suroviec, Achieva President & CEO
Erin Gannon
Erin Gannon
Honoree Maddy Scarsella and friend
Honoree Maddy Scarsella and friend
Employees at the event
Employees at the event.
Guests
Guests
More Guests
More Guests