The Erie Community Foundation Welcomes Two New Members to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees
February 19, 2025
Erie, Pa. (January 11, 2025) The Erie Community Foundation Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Lauren Bauer, CIMA®, CPFA® and Kathleen Brugger, CPA, to its board of trustees effective January 1, 2025.
“Because of their strong, yet unique, financial backgrounds, both Lauren and Kathy bring a wealth of investment and accounting experience to the Foundation,” said Karen Bilowith, president & CEO of The Erie Community Foundation. “Their track records of community service and detailed, proactive work will propel our mission to inspire, engage and empower our community, donors and nonprofits.”
Lauren Bauer, CIMA®, CPFA® was recently promoted to First Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor, Senior Retirement Benefits Consultant at Pfeffer/Stockard/Cacchione/Bauer Group, through Merrill Lynch. She provides strategic guidance when she works with individuals and companies who need assistance with planning and investing to reach retirement and financial goals.
Bauer shares her expertise as a volunteer across numerous boards including The Erie Community Foundation Professional Advisor Council, United Way Young Leaders' Society, and UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbor. In 2023, she served as the Steering Committee Chair for The Erie Women’s Fund. In 2024, she led the Erie Women’s Fund as Chair and spearheaded the Above & Beyond Campaign, creating a million-dollar endowment for the Erie Women’s Fund when an anonymous donor created a dollar-for-dollar match challenge.
A graduate of the University of Dayton, she earned her CIMA (Certified Investment Management Analyst) designation from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Bauer’s achievements are reflected in her recognition on several prestigious lists, including the 2024 Forbes “Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors Best-in-State” list, the Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” list for both 2024 and 2023, and the 2024 “Top Women of Excellence” list published by the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA).
“I am honored to join The Erie Community Foundation Board of Trustees and look forward to contributing to its impactful work in our community,” said Bauer. “The Foundation’s mission aligns closely with my commitment to building a brighter future for our home.”
With 21 years of experience, Kathleen Brugger, CPA, is the Controller at the family-owned Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, LLP, where she manages the operational expenses, organizational data, and financial matters of the business.
A distinguished graduate of Penn State University, Brugger earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting with the highest honors, followed by the completion of her CPA certification. She began her career in 1993 as a Staff Accountant at KPMG Peat Marwick in Pittsburgh before returning to Erie to join Brown, Schwab, Bergquist & Company. In 1996, she transitioned to Lord Corporation as an Internal Auditor, advancing to Senior Financial Analyst—a position she held until 2003, when she joined the family business.
In addition to her new role with The Erie Community Foundation, Brugger has been a Trustee at Marquette Savings Bank since 2020, where she also chairs the IT Committee. Brugger has extensive volunteer experience with several nonprofits, including leading technology education programs for seniors, with her most recent community involvement extends to the Erie Humane Society, where she became a Board Member in 2023 and assumed the role of Treasurer in 2025.
With a goal of creating life-sustaining jobs in the community, Brugger has worked closely with The Erie Community Foundation and the Ben Frankling Technology Partners to provide funding for innovative companies in Erie, Pennsylvania through the Hartman Innovation Fund.
“I am excited to collaborate with this dedicated team to support the Foundation’s initiatives and drive meaningful change in Erie,” said Brugger. “I am grateful for the opportunity to join the Foundation’s board.”
For more information about The Erie Community Foundation, and its board of trustees, please visit www.ErieCommunityFoundation.org.
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The Erie Community Foundation’s mission is to inspire, engage and empower donors and communities across the region, today and tomorrow. We envision a united, vibrant, and thriving region for all. The Foundation signed the Nonprofit Partnership’s Diversity Equity & Inclusion Pledge in 2019 to demonstrate our commitment to our community. To learn more visit www.ErieCommunityFoundation.or...