Foundation elects first woman board chair

GREENSBURG, Feb. 15, 2016 – Board members of The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County (CFWC) have elected Gail Malloy their chair, making her the first woman to head the governing body in its 20-year history.

Malloy, a local entrepreneur and business owner who has been on the CFWC board since 2010, served the past two years as vice-chair.  She succeeds Regis Synan, president of F. Tinker and Sons, who will remain on the board.  Malloy will serve a two-year term.

“This is a special moment in CFWC’s history,” says Phil Koch, executive director of the philanthropy, which is part of The Pittsburgh Foundation.  “Gail’s commitment to the leadership and development of CFWC as well as Westmoreland County is extraordinary, and I am looking forward to working with a leader who has very deep knowledge of the county’s assets and its needs.”

Malloy is the founder of Westmoreland Paralegal Services, a firm specializing in real estate closings for residential and commercial properties.  She is a title insurance agent with First American Title Insurance Co. and a paralegal with the Tax Claim Bureau of Westmoreland County, a position that involves coordinating real estate judicial tax sales.

“I know I have big shoes to fill as the next Chair,” Malloy said, referencing Synan and the board chair before him, Vincent Quatrini.  “I am excited and honored to help move the organization forward.  The future of philanthropy in our region is a huge blank canvas and we can help donors paint their pictures.  There is much passion for organized giving still to be tapped in our community.”

As part of her duties as chair, Malloy will represent CFWC on The Pittsburgh Foundation’s Board of Directors.  “I look forward to the opportunity of (Pittsburgh Foundation Chair) Dr. Edith Shapira’s mentorship,” said Malloy. Shapira was recently elected to a second term leading the board.  Malloy previously served on the committee that stewarded the merger between CFWC and The Pittsburgh Foundation in 2010.

Previously, Malloy served as board chair of Westmoreland County Community College, president of the YWCA of Westmoreland County, and as a committee member of the local United Way agency.  She twice co-chaired the Winner’s Circle Award Program sponsored by Westmoreland County’s business community, which recognizes individuals and organizations for their advocacy of women, women-owned business and the community in general.

Malloy hopes her appointment will serve as a catalyst for the continued development of women as community leaders in the county.  “There remain untapped areas that CFWC can develop to engage more individuals with their energy and resources to have a greater impact on Westmoreland County’s future,” she said. “My goal is to do more with these resources and keep growing philanthropy in Westmoreland County.”