The Team

Laurie is what she refers to as a “boomerang-er.” Born and raised in Erie, Laurie attended Mercyhurst Prep before going to Virginia to attend Hollins College. After graduating from Hollins, Laurie moved to the metro DC area to initially work for Senator John Heinz. Laurie remained in the DC area for the next 30 years, but moved back to Erie, thus the “boomerang-er” reference

Mike joined United Way of Erie County in 2010 as a Campaign Representative and was named Vice President of Community Impact in 2017.Mike oversees our community impact work, which includes partnerships, grants and initiatives.

Joelyn is an Erie native and speech communications graduate of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. Prior to her current position as the Director of Marketing & Communications at United Way of Erie County, Joelyn held positions at the Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership and the Erie Community Foundation.

Julie joined United Way of Erie County in 2020 as Director of Major Gifts and was named Chief Development Officer in 2021. In her expanded role, Julie shares responsibility and works as a partner with the President in stewarding key philanthropic relationships, overseeing fundraising activities, and developing and implementing strategies that drive investment from individuals, corporations and foundations.

Born in Baghdad, Iraq, Sally immigrated to Erie in 2009. Sally lived in Jordan for 17 years before coming to the United States. She received her high school diploma from Villa Maria Academy and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Penn State Behrend. Most recently, Sally was the Director of Finance & Administration at United Way of Southern Chautauqua County and previously was a Financial Reporting Specialist with Northwest Bank.

Karen previously worked at Mercyhurst North East as an Academic Success Coach and Director of the Perkins Grant for the campus. She is a native Rhode Islander who has been in the Erie area for more than 30 years. Karen is most excited to join the team at Diehl because she is passionate about working with children and feels this role brings her career full circle. "This job is a culmination of all of the skills developed throughout my career," Karen stated.

Meghan, an Erie native, attended Harding Elementary School and a graduate of Fairview High School. Meghan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Masters of Arts in Sociology, both at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) where she was also a student athlete (soccer). Professionally, Meghan has spent her career working with children and families in the home, school, and community settings and within a variety of capacities. Currently serving in the role of Community School Director at Pfeiffer-Burleigh, provides Meghan with the opportunity to continue to serve the Erie community. On a personal level, Meghan is married to Jason L. Easter, whom she first met in elementary school at Harding. The Easter family, resides in Erie City, and have fours boys (Devin, Gavin, Jaxson and London), all of which are students within Erie’s Public Schools.

Scot, an Erie native, graduated from Strong Vincent High School and went on to obtain an Associate and Bachelor degree in Human Resource and Management. He is a former Community School Coordinator at Edison Elementary and Blended Case Manager with the Achievement Center. Scot is also a retired Paramedic in the City of Erie and has held many leadership roles for local nonprofits. He has a passion to serve the underrepresented and undeserved community to help remove barriers for educational success. Scot is also a successful business owner that occupies most of his free time when not working with the Erie community.

Amy, an Erie native, graduated from East High School in 2003 and went on to obtain a B.A. in Psychology and dual minors in Athletic Coaching and Sports Behavior from Gannon University. Amy pursued her Graduate studies at California University of PA, earning a M.S. in Sports Management. Amy has spent her career dedicated to working with youth, teens, and families in the Erie community, most commonly in the nonprofit sector. She has a passion for Health & Wellness and has coached High School Girls' Basketball within Erie's Public Schools and Erie Crossover.

Growing up in Mercer County, Caitlin moved to Erie to attend Mercyhurst University, where she graduated with her bachelor's degree in Psychology. After graduating, Caitlin completed a year of service as an AmeriCorps VISTA and then went on to get her master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. Caitlin has spent her professional career working for nonprofits and universities in Pittsburgh and Erie.

Tami, an Erie native, returned back home to serve the community as a social worker in 2011. After graduating from Mercyhurst Prep, she attended North Carolina State University on a full athletic scholarship. During her time there, she served as the captain of the women’s soccer team, was the named to the ACC All-Academic Team and earned her B.S. in social work. Tami pursued her graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh, earning a Master's degree in social work and a certificate in gerontology. Volunteering in Cambodian orphanages is among one of her most valued experiences. Tami’s previous work involved connecting families and community members with various resources offered throughout Erie County. Tami is passionate about intergenerational programming and community building and believes in utilizing the strengths of individuals and aligning them with the assets in our community. Tami has been a Community School Director since 2017 and values the beautiful experiences of partnering with the students and families of Edison.

Sara is an Erie native who graduated from Mercyhurst Preparatory School and Clarion University of Pennsylvania. Sara previously worked at Northwest Bank and Church of the Covenant Preschool, but her passion is helping the students at Erie’s Public Schools. Sara serves as a board member of the Foundation for Erie’s Public Schools and is the President/Treasurer of the Harding Elementary PTO. She was also a member of Erie’s Public Schools’ Core Planning Team and currently is a member of the Erie Episcopal School Partnership team. Sara is the mother of four children who are students in Erie’s Public Schools and resides in the City of Erie with her husband, Mike.

Liz Nies is an Erie native with a passion for community building, family engagement and advocating for social and economic justice.

Bailey, a native of Union City, graduated from Union City High School in 2013 and went on to earn her Bachelor's Degree at The College of Wooster. After college, Bailey worked as an event producer in New York City, Erie, and Dover. She returned to Erie in 2019 to work for United Way of Erie County as a Community Impact Coordinator and then a Community Impact Manager of Data and Evaluation. Bailey became a Community School Director in 2021 and shared, "I have known since my first few days at United Way that Union City Elementary School could and should benefit from this new way of working, where supports are brought into a school once needs are identified. As a Union City graduate and a former Union City substitute teacher, I've seen some of the barriers students, caregivers, and teachers are facing when it comes to achieving student success and family stability. I’m excited that my hometown will be able to benefit from this initiative and all the great things that come with it!"

Rachel is an Erie native, a graduate of Iroquois High School and Edinboro University, earning an Associate and Bachelor degree. Rachel is a currently in the concentration year of her Masters of Social Work at Edinboro University. Prior to working with the students and families at East Middle School, Rachel served as a Family Specialist with Erie Homes for Children and Adults. Following her time in that program, she went on to serve as the Community School Coordinator and now the Interim Community School Director at East. Additionally, Rachel serves Erie County through her work as a Crisis Clinician at Crisis Services in Erie PA.

Shanna is an Erie native who attended Edinboro University and received bachelor's and master's degrees in Education. She is a former classroom teacher and reading specialist, passionate about building relationships with students and families to help them be successful. She has fifteen years of experience in education, working with students of all ages in various capacities. She enjoys traveling, reading and the outdoors, especially walks with her two rescue dogs, Bo and Rocky.

A Girard School District graduate herself, Tammy received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Master’s degree in Counseling both from Edinboro University. Tammy went on to pass testing to become a Nationally Certified Counselor and has nearly ten years of experience in counseling. Prior to becoming a Community School Director, she was the director of the Family Based Mental Health program at Family Services of NWPA. Tammy lives in Springfield with her husband Josh and their two sons Jake and Jaxon.

Ashley is an Erie native who graduated from Strong Vincent High School in 2012 with a desire to travel and see new things. Ashley attended the prestigious ivy league HBCU, Dillard University located in New Orleans, LA, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Health with a focus in healthcare administration and minored in biology. She then came back to her hometown and began teaching 7th-12th grade math and science at Community Country Day School. While teaching, she decided to pursue her master’s degree in healthcare administration at LECOM. Graduating from LECOM in 2021 with a 4.0, she took on a new role that allowed her to be more involved in the community. Ashley became the Youth Service Coordinator at Youth Leadership Institute of Erie, where she headed many different service-learning projects, some involving over 300 children in the community. She is now attending LECOM again working on her Doctorate in Healthcare Administration, which she will finish in 2024.

A native of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Marcus is a graduate of Penn State University, the Behrend College, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science in 2015. Marcus also holds a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Human Resource Management from the University of Phoenix. A family man, Marcus is the husband of Antwonette (Shaye) Yuille, and proud father of one daughter, Amarra.