Karen Bilowith

President & Ceo

Karen Bilowith joined The Erie Community Foundation in October 2021. She leads the Foundation’s efforts to inspire, engage and empower donors and communities across the region by working closely with a committed board of trustees and staff.

Karen currently serves on the Erie Action Team and Board of Managers for Infinite Erie and the Board of Directors for both the Nonprofit Partnership and PACFA (Pennsylvania Community Foundation Association). She is also the Team Lead of the Erie Supportive Housing Project, which addresses the increasingly complex needs around homelessness. Karen is a member of the Hamot Health Foundation Board of Corporators and the Erie Women’s Fund of The Erie Community Foundation.

Karen has spent her career working in community philanthropy, where generosity is transformed into sustained community impact. She is the past President and CEO of the Idaho Community Foundation, a statewide public charitable foundation with more than $218 million in assets and 640 individual funds providing grants in every county in Idaho. Prior to joining the Idaho Community Foundation in 2016, she held the position of President and CEO of the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region in Albany, New York. She also held an executive position with United Way of the Greater Capital Region also in upstate New York.

During her time in Idaho, Karen served on the boards of Philanthropy Northwest, the Idaho Nonprofit Center, Bogus Basin Recreational Association, and the International Women’s Forum Idaho Chapter. Formerly, she was appointed to New York Governor Cuomo’s Capital Region Economic Development Council and the Saratoga-Capital District Park, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commission. She was a founding board member of the Women’s Fund of the Capital Region and a member of the Forum for Executive Women. In 2020 she was recognized as a CEO of Influence award by the Idaho Business Review and in June 2013 received the Key4Women Achieve Award.

Karen holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Boston College and is a current board member of Pennsylvania Association of Community Foundations.

Olivia Burgess

Director of Collective Giving

Olivia Burgess joined The Erie Community Foundation as Executive Coordinator in 2022. In 2023, she was promoted to Philanthropic Services Officer, and in 2025 she was promoted to her current role of Director of Collective Giving. She works with three of The Foundation’s affinity funds including the Erie Women’s Fund, the Emerging Erie Fund and the LGBT Fund. Olivia supports all aspects of their work, including grantmaking, development, strategic initiatives and more. In addition to working with the affinity funds, Olivia supports the Foundation’s philanthropic advising efforts to enhance donors’ engagement with their giving.

Olivia was the valedictorian of her class at Allegheny College in 2021, where she graduated with a BA in English Literature and a minor in Journalism in the Public Interest. Additionally, Olivia obtained her Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) designation in May of 2025. She is a proud Union City native who now resides in Erie with her husband.

Rachel Cacchione

Director of Community Impact

Rachel Cacchione joined The Erie Community Foundation in 2014. In 2021, she was promoted to Director of Community Impact where she works with the Community Impact Team to manage our competitive grant programs. Rachel launched the Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Initiative called HEY!–Hear Erie’s Youth. She is the administrator for the Foundation’s online grant management system, oversees the urgent grant program, and is responsible for scheduling pre-application meetings.

Rachel earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media Studies from Pennsylvania State Erie, The Behrend College. Prior to joining the Foundation, she worked as an Administrative Assistant for the Muscular Dystrophy Association where she was responsible for administrative duties, fundraising and healthcare services.

Rachel is an avid sports fan who was born and raised in Erie, PA, and spends many summer evenings with her family on the beaches of Presque Isle or enjoying the many cultural festivals that highlight the history and diversity of our community.

Ric Giles

Director of Philanthropic Services

Ric Giles joined The Erie Community Foundation in 2023 as Director of Philanthropic Services. He is responsible for developing and stewarding donors in all aspects of their philanthropy and integrating best practices into the work of the Philanthropic Services team.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Ric had built a strong and diversified career. He worked as Director of Development & Corporate Relations at Mercyhurst University. He was a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative and a team member of the UCB Pharma Professional Sales reaching $1 billion in sales for five consecutive years. Ric was also an Admissions Representative and College Recruiter for Penn State-Erie, The Behrend College; and a Drug and Alcohol Case Manager for GECAC.

Ric earned his bachelor’s degree from Clarion University, where he was a four-year starter on the football team and a member of the 1992 PSAC Divisional Football Championship Team. He was also Captain of the Clarion University Track & Field team.

In service to his community, Ric serves on the board for Greater Erie Economic Development Corporation and was named Vice Chair in 2024. He is a past Executive Board Member for the Visiting Nurses Association and former Varsity Defensive Back Coach for Cathedral Prep.

Ric has received many prestigious awards and honors including earning the nomination for the 2002 YMCA Black Achiever in Erie, PA. An avid Ford Mustang enthusiast and owner, Ric is a lifelong resident of Erie and has a deep commitment to improving the Erie Community.

Suzanne Hauber

Chief Financial Officer

Suzanne Hauber joined The Erie Community Foundation in 2024. She is responsible for the finance, accounting, treasury management and human resources of the Foundation.

A graduate of West Viriginia University with a degree in Accounting, Sue earned her master’s degree in business administration from Gannon University.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Sue worked for six years at Saint Mary’s Home of Erie where she was promoted from Senior Accountant to Controller to CFO within three years. She was responsible for financial reporting, Treasury Management including restricted and unrestricted donated funds, and the coordination of the annual financial audit and the 990 filing. She worked closely with investment consultants to manage the nonprofit’s endowment portfolio and the multi-million-dollar budget.

Sue also has accounting experience as a small business consultant, senior tax accountant, assistant controller for a freight and logistics company and a staff accountant for a hospital. Sue also worked as an internal auditor and a financial analyst. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Erie and is a Board Member for the Erie Downtown Equity Fund.

Patrick Herr

Vice President of Community Impact

Josh Jaeger

Information Services Manager

Josh joined The Erie Community Foundation in 2023 as Database Administrator and was named Information Services Manager on January 1, 2026, reflecting an expanded role overseeing enterprise data systems and IT strategy.

Josh leads the development, integration, and governance of the Foundation’s relational database and reporting environment, supporting fundraising, grants, finance, compliance, and impact reporting. His responsibilities include Dynamics 365 and Power Platform administration, data governance, dashboards and ad-hoc reporting, staff training, documentation, and vendor coordination. He also oversees IT planning, security, policies, and technology operations, and provides technical leadership for major initiatives including Erie Gives Day.

In service to the Erie community, Josh volunteers his time helping local nonprofits set up and manage databases and build capacity in data collection, reporting, and effective data use to support their missions.

Amanda Lincoln

Controller and Benefits Manager

Amanda Lincoln joined The Erie Community Foundation in 2008 as Director of Accounting. She was promoted to Controller in 2014. Amanda is responsible for managing the day-to-day finance and accounting operations of the Foundation. She works with the CFO to prepare the annual audit, monthly financial statements, and other financial reports as needed.

Amanda earned her Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and International Business with a minor in Spanish from Villanova University in Villanova, PA. Prior to joining the Foundation, she was a senior tax consultant with Deloitte Tax LLP in Pittsburgh, where she was a member of the Research & Development Tax Services Group, providing service to various Fortune 500 clientele across diverse industries.

Natalie Miller

Accounting Associate

Natalie Miller joined The Erie Community Foundation in a newly created position as an Accounting Assistant within our Finance Department in March of 2024. She works closely with the Controller, Senior Accountant and CFO to support accounts payable, gifts processing, monthly bank and investment statement reconciliations, as well as any areas relating to financial record maintenance and report preparations.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Natalie worked as a Data Specialist and Clerical Support for The Department of Special Education. She believes that accurate data capture will result in every decision and service being rooted in quality information. Natalie gained experience in the field of accounting during her 20-year-career with Pastore Brothers Builders. After an acquisition, in her latest role with Riedman Properties, she managed a multifamily portfolio consisting of seven apartment communities and a self-storage business. She reflects often on the kindness shown and the skills she acquired during her time with Pastore Brothers. Natalie’s life work has been in positions of service and support. She hopes to continue that good work by being part of the ECF Team.

Natalie resides in the Edinboro Community and loves spending time with her family and pets and enjoys being in nature. She adores animals and enjoys making braided dog toys to donate to shelters and furry friends. She hopes to continue to prepare holiday cards with her daughter to donate to seniors to those who are ill at a local manor to brighten their day. She would like to devote more time to volunteering within the Erie County Communities.

Meghan O’Brien

Director of Grants & Administration

Meghan O’Brien joined the Erie Community Foundation in 2011, after more than ten years in the printing technology industry. An Erie native and proud graduate of Villa Maria Academy, Meghan brings deep community knowledge to her position.

As Director of Grants and Administration, she is responsible for all aspects of grants processing and scholarship administration and assists the CFO with endowment fund accounting. Meghan also oversees daily infrastructure operations including front desk, facilities, and information systems.

Chloe Monroe

Marketing and Communications Assistant

Kelly Patterson

Community Impact Associate

Kelly Patterson joined the Erie Community Foundation in 2021 as a Community Impact Associate. She supports the Foundation’s competitive grantmaking programs, including Helping Today and Shaping Tomorrow, and manages the Hovis Summer Camp Scholarship Grants program, helping connect local youth with meaningful summer opportunities.

Kelly brings more than 30 years of experience in the human services, mental health, and nonprofit sectors. Prior to joining the Foundation, she held positions with Case Management Support Services, Erie County Care Management, and Harborcreek Youth Services.

She brings extensive knowledge of local nonprofit organizations and community needs and has developed strong experience in grantmaking systems and partner engagement through her work at the Foundation.

A lifelong Erie resident, Kelly is deeply committed to strengthening her community and supporting opportunities that create brighter futures for local youth. She enjoys football and spending time with her family, including her four sons, three daughters-in-law, and seven grandchildren.

Christine Snippert

Staff Accountant

Natalee Stinebiser

Philanthropic Services Assistant