Megan Baker ’96
Loudonville, NY
Megan joined the board in July 2024 and has been a communicator for more than 20 years. Before transitioning to communications executive and entrepreneur, Megan enjoyed a highly visible, 10-year career in television news. As a broadcast journalist, Megan covered hard news, features, and political stories, including the 2004 Democratic National Convention, presidential visits, and more. She helped launch and served as the weekday evening news anchor at Spectrum News (then Capital News 9), Charter’s 24-hour news channel. This helped Megan establish a broad network of media, political, and community contacts and has provided her with access to key decision makers and news personalities. Megan won a New York State Emmy and was honored for Breaking News by the Associated Press. Megan enjoys managing the overall operations of Baker Public Relations, expanding the agency and team and driving profitability. Since 2007, the business has expanded its geographic footprint beyond Albany, NY, with offices in Pittsburgh, PA, and St. Petersburg, FL. In addition to business development, Megan specializes in developing and leading media training programs for high-level CEOs and executives, using her skills honed as a reporter to prepare clients for live events and aggressive media questioning. Her media training portfolio includes political candidates and senior-level executives. She also has expertise in the development and implementation of crisis communications plans to help organizations prepare for crises, detect vulnerabilities, and protect their reputation. Megan graduated from IUP, where she earned a bachelor’s in communications/media in 1996. She served on the IUP College of Education and Communications Advancement Council and as co-vice chair on the board of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Upstate New York/Vermont Chapter for six years. In 2024, Megan was named to the Power 50 List by the Albany Business Review, was awarded the Capital Region MARCOM Practitioner of the Year in 2023, was honored in 2019 by IUP with the Department of Communications Media Impact Award, and is also a 2012 Albany Business Review 40 under Forty honoree. Megan takes great pride in her three teenage kids, their academics, and athletics. She enjoys traveling, boating, skiing, and anything the great outdoors has to offer.
David Bluemling ’85
Wexford, PA
Dave joined the Board in July 2017 and currently serves as the vice president and as a member of the Executive and Investment committees. Dave is a retired partner with FORVIS LLP CPAs and Advisors and currently serves as a trustee and director for several private families and foundations. He is a past recipient of the Eberly College of Business Outstanding Entrepreneur award and is a member of the Business School’s Hall of Distinction and its Advisory and Advancement councils. Dave currently serves on the Executive Committee of the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh Board of Directors and is a past board advisor for the Baierl Family YMCA and Camps Kon-O-Kwee/Spencer.
Richard D. Caruso ’83
Meadow Lands, PA
Rich has been a member of the board since July 2007. He previously served as the president and currently chairs its restructuring committee. Rich serves on the board of directors of JW Aluminum, National Aviary of Pittsburgh, H-D Advanced Manufacturing, and School Specialty, and on the advisory board of TCW Direct Lending Group, and he previously served on the board of directors of VPX Pharmaceutical, MotorCoach Industries, Neenah Foundries, Baptist Homes Society, and various other private companies. Rich is the recipient of the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he received his bachelor of science degree in accounting. Rich was among one of the initial financial supporters of IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine.
Francis J. Condino
Indiana, PA
Frank joined the board in 2021 and serves on the Finance and Growth and Impact committees. His prior experiences include service in the Marine Corps and various positions in education at the high school and university levels. He spent his last 30 years in the IUP Athletics Department, retiring as the director in 2015, and presently serves on the Athletic Advisory Committee and nominating board for the IUP Athletic Hall of Fame.
J. Thomas Frantz ’73, M’77, D’00
Punxsutawney, PA
Tom has been a Foundation for IUP board member since May 2020 and serves on the Governance and Growth and Impact committees. A lifelong educator, he has served over 43 years in roles including elementary teacher, assistant principal, supervisor of curriculum and instruction, director of federal programs and grant writer, superintendent, assistant professor, and interim superintendent and superintendent search consultant. In addition to the Foundation for IUP, Tom serves on the board for Residential Revival Indiana and the Punxsutawney Borough Zoning Hearing Board. He is a member of the Punxsutawney Rotary and the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Academy of Culinary Arts Advisory Committee and is the president of the Punxsutawney Area College Trust. Tom is also a partner in two Cobblestone Inn and Suites hotels, one in Punxsutawney, PA, and another at Indian Lake in Russels Point, OH.
Nicole Gabriel ’00
Allison Park, PA
Nicole joined the Foundation’s Investment Committee in March 2021 and the FIUP board and Finance Committee in July 2021. She also serves on the executive committee. She currently is a financial strategist and planner at McKinley Carter Wealth Services in Wexford, where she helps families, businesses, and nonprofit organizations master their wealth. Previously, she held operations roles at BNY Mellon and as a boutique investment manager. Nicole earned her bachelor of science degree in international business with a minor in accounting from IUP’s Eberly College of Business and Information Technology, and her MBA from Robert Morris University.
Donna Griffith ’74, M’77
Indiana, PA
Donna joined the board in October 2021, and currently is the chair of the Growth and Impact Committee and serves on the Executive and Governance committees. She has served IUP in several leadership positions over the last three decades: including the assistant dean in the School of Graduate Studies and Research and the director of the IUP Monroeville Graduate and Professional Center. Committed to continuing her own education, Donna completed the Harvard University Management Development Program. Since 2016, Donna’s service to the university as a member of the College of Education and Communications Advancement Council kept her connected to IUP after retiring in 2011. She continues to apply her passion for service to a number of boards in the area. An ardent supporter of human service agencies, Donna served as the interim executive director of the United Way of Indiana County and currently serves on the boards of directors for the Alice Paul House, Indiana County Endowment, and Zion Preschool. During her professional career in higher education, Donna was appointed to the Commission on Status of Women in the Profession for the National University Continuing Education Association, where she served on the executive board and as a member for over a decade. Donna holds an undergraduate and master’s degree and a certificate of counselor education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Char L. Kopchick ’73
Athens, OH
Char joined the board in July 2022 and is a member of the Growth and Impact and Governance committees. Char Kopchick is Ohio University’s executive director of the Campus Involvement Center. She has oversight of the functional areas of campus programming, the Performing Arts and Concert Series, and leadership development and student organizations, including sorority and fraternity life. She has been at Ohio University for the past 30 years. Prior to her appointment as executive director of the Campus Involvement Center, Char served as Ohio University’s director of health promotion. Growing up in a small coal mining town in Western Pennsylvania, Char was the first person in her family to attend college. She has a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She also has a master’s degree in college student personnel from Ohio University.
James C. Leda ’95
New York, NY
Jim joined the board in July 2018. He is president of the board and chairs both the Executive and Governance committees. Jim has nearly 30 years of experience addressing highly complex financial matters in his roles as bulge-bracket investment banker, investor, financial advisor, and fiduciary. He specializes in advising boards, senior management, and other parties in high-stakes international insolvency and litigation matters. Jim earned his bachelor of science degree in finance and accounting (double major) from IUP’s Eberly College of Business and Information Technology and his MBA with a concentration in analytic finance from the University of Chicago. Jim was inducted into the Eberly College of Business and Information Technology Hall of Distinction in 2013, was a 1998 recipient of the IUP Young Alumni Ambassador Award (now called the Young Alumni Achievement Award), and served as student trustee on the IUP Council of Trustees from 1993 to 1995.
Andrew Longacre ’13, EMBA
Preston, PA
Andrew joined the board in July 2022 and serves as secretary/treasurer of the board, chair of the Finance Committee, and a member of the Executive and Growth and Impact committees. He is the president and CEO of the Millennium Family of Companies, a Pittsburgh, PA-based business that owns and operates subsidiaries involved in the energy, industrial, and heavy manufacturing industries throughout the Eastern and Central United States. Focused on specialty on-site mechanical services and industrial tooling, he has grown the business into a leading partner for many businesses critical to the infrastructure of our nation. He graduated from IUP with bachelor’s degrees in safety sciences and political sciences in 2013 and completed his executive MBA in 2019. He held senior roles at Anthony Crane USA and Terex Cranes prior to acquiring Millennium. During his time as an undergraduate at IUP, Andrew served as the student trustee on the IUP Council of Trustees from 2011 to 2013, as well as the varsity track and field team and the Student Government Association.
Susan Mann ’90
Johnstown, PA
Susan joined the board in July 2021 and serves on the Finance and Growth and Impact committees and the Residential Revival Indiana Board of Directors. Susan is currently president of 1889 Foundation, Inc., a conversion health foundation that supports health and wellness initiatives in Cambria and Somerset counties in Pennsylvania. Susan has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare philanthropy and grantmaking. She helped establish the Conemaugh Health Foundation (now the 1889 Foundation) in 1993 and was named foundation president in 1997. She began her career in 1990 as a planning and development assistant for the Mercy Foundation at Mercy Medical Center in Johnstown, PA. Susan is a proud IUP alumna and received her bachelor of science degree in communications in 1990. Susan is certified as a fundraising executive with the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She actively serves on several boards in addition to the Foundation for IUP, including the United Way of the Southern Alleghenies, the Cambria County Drug Coalition, and Vision Together 2025. Born and raised in Johnstown, Susan shares a deep-rooted connection to the region with her husband, Tim. Susan finds immense joy in her family life, which includes two adult sons, Tyler (IUP ’16) and Jacob, and a cherished new granddaughter.
Bryan Moore ’07
West Columbia, SC
Bryan joined the board in July 2022. He serves on the Executive and Finance committees and as chair of the Investment Committee. He is currently the deputy chief investment officer at the South Carolina Retirement Systems’ Investment Commission, a $45-billion defined benefit pension plan based in Columbia, SC. He oversees the team responsible for investing across equities, fixed income, private equity, private debt, real assets, and hedge funds. Previously, Bryan started his investment career at the Pennsylvania State Employees’ Retirement System. Bryan earned a bachelor of science in finance with a minor in economics from IUP’s Eberly College of Business and Information Technology. In 2012, Bryan received the Young Alumni Achievement Award on behalf of the Eberly College of Business and Information Technology. Bryan currently serves on the Advisory Council for the IUP Student Managed Investment Portfolio. Bryan is a chartered financial analyst and a chartered alterative investment analyst charter holder.
Chuck Oshurak ’98
Cranberry Township, PA
Chuck joined the board in 2022 and currently serves on the Audit Committee. He is an assurance partner at Cohen & Company and provides specialized accounting, assurance, and advisory services to clients in both the public and privately held sectors. With over 20 years of experience, Chuck works with complex clients on diverse projects. In addition to the Foundation for IUP, Chuck serves as a board member for the Pittsburgh Entrepreneurs Forum and Literacy Pittsburgh, and he is a member of the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs. He holds a BS in accounting and BSEd in business education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Andrew Sandberg ’06
New York, NY
Andrew joined the board in July 2024 and serves on the Finance and Growth and Impact committees. As an undergraduate at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, he pursued a degree in accounting and participated in and led several student organizations, including the Student Managed Investment Portfolio, the Student Government Association, and the Accounting and Finance Associations. He was also selected to give a commencement speech representing his class for the Eberly College of Business. As a freshman, he was a beneficiary of the Foundation’s mission, receiving the Robert and Irene Bozzone Scholarship for Business. His next interactions with the Foundation were during his junior year when he worked with the Board to help establish the Student Managed Investment Portfolio in 2004, later serving as its first chief investment officer during fall 2005. After graduation, Andrew pursued careers in accounting and investment banking, working for PwC and Houlihan Lokey. He currently operates a boutique investment banking firm, Alder Mountain Capital, providing M&A and capital advisory services to middle-market companies. As an alumnus, Andrew has stayed connected with IUP through the NYC alumni chapter and NYC Advancement Council. He also enjoys mentoring IUP students and graduates and volunteering as a guest lecturer for the Student Managed Investment Portfolio and other finance courses.
Pamela Sledge-Coley ’97
Spring, TX
Pamela joined the board in July 2023 and serves on the Governance and Investment committees. With 20 years of experience with ExxonMobil Corporation, Pam is currently the distributor network manager and owns the vision and roadmap of ExxonMobil’s lubricant sales through its distributor channel. Prior to this role, she served as the Americas Market sales manager, managing lubricant sales across six regions and 27 countries. Pamela joined the ExxonMobil Corporation in 2003 and was promoted to various functional positions across the organization. In addition to several sales and marketing management positions, she has experience as a Global IT financial controller, auditor, and global controls manager. Her diverse assignments at ExxonMobil afforded her the opportunity to become an effective general manager and leader. Pamela earned her BS in business administration from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her MBA from Carnegie Mellon University, where she was selected as a committee of 200 Scholar. She was inducted into the 2022 Eberly College of Business Hall of Distinction and has proudly served on the IUP Alumni Board of Directors.
Pamela Spikner ’98
Missouri City, TX
Pamela joined the board in July 2022. She serves on the Audit and Governance committees. Pamela is currently a senior vice president and the chief accounting officer at R1 RCM, Inc., an SEC-registered company that provides technology-enabled revenue cycle management solutions to healthcare providers that help manage costs, increase revenue, and streamline operations. Pamela began her career in the audit practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers, where she worked with clients in the healthcare and insurance industries. She spent 12 years with Exelon, a Fortune 500 company, in Philadelphia, Houston, and Chicago, where she gained experience in SEC and regulatory reporting, operational accounting, and organizational transformation. Pamela was also assistant corporate controller at HIllrom, a medical equipment manufacturer, from July 2019 to July 2021, where she was involved with several mergers and acquisitions and debt refinancing and led process improvement initiatives. Pamela is also passionate about building and leading high-performing teams, and has initiated various efforts to advance engagement, diversity, and inclusion, such as mentoring programs and employee-led committees focused on recognition, innovation, and health and wellness.
Sherry L. Ulsh ’81
Harrisburg, PA
Sherry joined the board in July 2023. She currently serves on the Audit and Finance committees. Sherry is the director of indirect procurement at the Hershey Company and leads a team responsible for US and Canada strategic sourcing and procurement covering categories that include marketing/sales, real estate, construction, operations, capex, logistics, professional services, travel, and contract administration. She also leads and manages continuous improvement and margin expansion projects delivering savings and process efficiencies. Prior to Hershey, she managed all facets of marketing and operations finance for Church’s Chicken. She started her career at Burger King Corporation and worked in a wide variety of financial roles within corporate, operations, and marketing. In addition, she held the position of executive director of the Burger King McLamore Foundation, responsible for all operations of the nonprofit organization. She is the current cochair of the Advertising and Financial Management Committee of the Association of National Advertisers. She regularly participates in a wide variety of procurement industry events as a speaker and a panelist. She has a great passion for and has been actively involved in women’s leadership and mentoring programs throughout her life. Ulsh is cochair of the Partnering on Development program for the Global Supply Chain at the Hershey Company and serves her local community as an advisory committee member of the Women’s Leadership Network for the United Way of the Capital Region. She is also a board member and treasurer for Lynne Mitchell Foundation, Inc., an organization focused on improving the lives of underprivileged children in Jamacia through educational opportunities. She has an MBA from the University of Miami and a bachelor of science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.