President

The Western Pennsylvania Hospital Foundation is pleased to announce that B.J. Leber has been named President effective February 19, 2007.

Most recently, BJ served as Interim CEO of the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh.  She was charged by the board to lead the organization following the resignation of the CEO.  While at the YWCA, BJ led an interim strategic planning effort, worked with the board as they transitioned to a new board governance model and reviewed the organization’s financial situation, including real estate and other assets, organizational structure and fundraising efforts.

As Chief of Staff for Pittsburgh Mayor Bob O’Connor, BJ Leber was second-in-command and responsible for the day-to-day operation of city departments, services and authorities.  The city of Pittsburgh has 3,400 employees and an annual operating budget of $418 million. Mayor O’Connor took office on January 3, 2006.  He charged BJ with professionalizing the management of the city. 

As Senior Vice President and Station Manager of WQED Multimedia, B. J. Leber led WQED TV, WQED & WQEJ FM, strategic planning, development and membership, government relations, corporate communications, creative services and promotion.  After joining WQED Multimedia in 1994, B. J. played a key role in the organization’s financial turnaround and organizational restructuring.  She spearheaded a re-connection with the community through the formation of a vibrant Community Advisory Board, a focused community relations effort, and partnerships with other educational and cultural institutions.

B. J. joined Port Authority of Allegheny County to develop the first marketing effort in the transit agency’s history.  During her tenure, the effort grew and developed to have a significant impact on ridership, revenue and image in the community and received national recognition.

Prior to her stint at Port Authority, B. J. worked in commercial broadcasting in Pittsburgh as Promotion Director for ABC affiliate WTAE-TV and held positions of Promotion Manager and Operations Manager at KDKA Radio.

She is Immediate Past Chair of the Board of the VisitPittsburgh (formerly the Greater Pittsburgh Convention and Visitors Bureau), Immediate Past President of the Board of Leadership Pittsburgh and a past President of the Board of Pressley Ridge Schools.  B. J. also serves on the boards of The Highmark Caring Foundation, and The Press Club of Western Pennsylvania.  She is a member of the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the International Women’s Forum, the Central Catholic High School Principal’s Advisory Board and a past Captain of the Central Catholic High School Parents’ Rowing Team.

B. J. lives in Highland Park with her husband Jeff and their two sons, Alan and Daniel.  Alan is a Senior at John Carroll University and Daniel is a Freshman at Boston University.

Please contact B.J. Leber at 412-578-4427 or bleber@wpahs.org.