OUR MISSION
The Lawrenceville Corporation—driven by the Lawrenceville community—acts as the catalyst and conduit for responsible and sustainable growth.
The Lawrenceville Corporation is a nonprofit, 501c3 community development corporation that was formed in January 2000 as a merger of the Lawrenceville Development Corporation (LDC) and the Lawrenceville Business Association (LBA). Since the merger, LC has gained local and national recognition for its innovative community plans and programs. Today, Lawrenceville Corporation continues to build a more inclusive, equitable, accessible, and sustainable community through real estate development, policy and advocacy, community planning and development, business district management, and communications and marketing.
The Lawrenceville Corporation envisions a thriving neighborhood where:
- Our diversity defines and strengthens us;
- Authenticity, neighborhood identity, and history are celebrated;
- Housing builds and preserves opportunities for people of varying incomes, backgrounds, and abilities;
- Open space is cherished, filled with amenities, and accessible to all;
- The riverfront is vital public space for all, serving as a connector and destination;
- Well-designed mobility infrastructure serves 21st Century needs, and ensures safety and accessibility for all modes of transportation;
- Small, independent businesses and creative endeavors flourish;
- Commercial corridors meet neighborhood need and attract visitors from around the world.
The Lawrenceville Corporation strives to activate community plans and live our shared values. We commit ourselves to:
- Advancing fairness, justice, and equity
- Demanding dignity and respect for people and community
- Being courageous
- Empowering people
- Being credible, transparent, and accountable
- Leading with empathy and creativity
- Inspiring thoughtful, honest, and inclusive community participation
- Partnering and welcoming the opportunity to share
Our Staff
Our Board
Elected annually by LC Membership, our Board steers the organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies. The Board ensures the organization has adequate resources to advance its mission.
Kento Ohmori, President
Fukui Architects
Executive, Nominating, Asset Management, Community Development
Will Bernstein, Vice President
Central Lawrenceville Resident
Natural Resources Defense Council
Community Development, Nominating, Strategic Planning
George Arendas, Treasurer
Dollar Bank
Executive, Finance
David Tobiczyk, Secretary
Boys and Girls Club of WP
Executive, Governance, Finance, Nominating
Victoria Becker May
Central Lawrenceville Resident
Reed Smith
Asset Management, Community Development
Kristopher Chandler
Upper Lawrenceville Resident
Mobilify Southwestern PA
Nina Chase
Central Lawrenceville Resident
Merritt Chase
Community Development, Nominating
Marissa Cozza
Upper Lawrenceville Resident
University of Pittsburgh
Jessica Graves
Una Biologicals
Asset Management, Business District Advisory
David Green
Upper Lawrenceville Resident
City of Pittsburgh: PLI
Asset Management, Finance, Governance, Strategic Planning
Daniel Gurwin
Central Lawrenceville Resident
Daniel Gurwin Designs
Business District Advisory
Eric Kellar
Lawrenceville Pet Supply
Business District Advisory, Nominating, Strategic Planning
Owen Lampe
Central Lawrenceville Resident
Wenco
Finance, Governance, Nominating
Heather Mallak
Central Lawrenceville Resident
Founder, Stay Good
Asset Management, BDAC
Andrew Moss
Lower Lawrenceville Resident
mossArchitects
Colleen Sullivan
Central Lawrenceville Resident
The Beckwith Institute
Governance, Nominating
Organizational Committees
Our work is guided by our Board of Directors in addition to advisory committees that inform the work of the Board of Directors and the Staff of the organization:
Board of Directors
Composed of all elected Board Members the board steers the organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as making sure the organization has adequate resources to advance its mission, hiring, and managing of the Executive Director.
Executive Committee
Composed of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary, the Executive Committee has the power and authority to transact LC’s regular business in the intervals between meetings of the Board. We reported all actions at the next regular meeting. The Executive Committee annually reviews the Executive Director and also oversees the Board’s work related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Finance Committee
Comprised of the Treasurer and no less than two other Board Members, in addition to other LC Members. The Finance Committee monitors the financial activities of LC and serves as a liaison with LC’s outside auditors.
Business District Advisory Committee
Composed of Lawrenceville businesses and their employees. This Committee works to inform the work of LC that is focused on supporting small businesses, marketing and promotional events, and other programming related to the business community.
Community Development Committee
The Community Development Committee reviews and informs community plans and development projects. This committee advises staff and LC’s Board on positions to take related to development-related programming, projects, and planning processes
Nominating Committee
Supports the Board of Directors in fulfilling its fiduciary duties to recruit and appoint the best-qualified candidates for the Board of Directors and Board Officer positions to a slate that is brought to Membership for approval.
Governance Committee
Responsible for reviewing the governance structures, practices of the organization, report its findings, and making recommendations to the Board. The Governance Committee evaluates the performance of the existing Board in addition to organizational committees. This Committee also reviews and works with the Board to update LC’s mission, vision, values of the organization, and its governing documents (the articles of incorporation, bylaws, conflict of interest policy). The Committee works closely with the Nominating Committee to monitor the Board Nominations and Elections Process.
Asset Management Committee
The Asset Management Committee guides and informs LC’s real estate strategy, programming for common spaces, capital improvements, and general maintenance work related to LC – owned properties such as the Ice House and Blackbird Studios. It also guides decisions related to the financial performance of its properties and financing capital improvements.
