Erie County Community Foundation has announced the hiring of its new program officer, three new board members and staff changes.
Heidi Schlesselman (Submitted)
Program Officer Heidi Schlesselman comes to the Community Foundation after most recently serving as the Market Manager for BCSN Erie, where she led strategic initiatives to enhance local media presence and community engagement, according to a news release from the organization.
She will be responsible for managing and evaluating the Foundation’s discretionary grants, Donor Advised Fund grants, and Youth Advisory Council grant programs. She will also oversee the scholarships programs.
New Board of Directors member Kate Repola is executive director of Main Street Vermilion, where she leads community revitalization efforts, downtown development initiatives, and programs that support local businesses and preserve Vermilion’s historic character, the release said.
New Board of Directors member Matthew Stahl currently serves as the chief financial officer for VacationLand Federal Credit Union headquartered in Sandusky. Prior to returning to the region, he worked for KeyBank and Crowe Horwath, where he became a certified public accountant.
Stahl also serves on the board of the Sandusky Central Catholic Schools Foundation and Family Health Services.
New Board of Directors member Tracey Campbell is the senior director of Behavioral Health for Firelands Regional Medical Center. In this role, she oversees the inpatient psychiatric unit and six outpatient offices spanning a five-county region. Campbell has over 30 years’ experience in the Behavioral Health field, which has given her the opportunity to network with a variety of social services systems in Erie and surrounding counties, according to the release.
The Community Foundation also announced Abbey Bemis is its new board chair. Bemis is the first-ever chief operating officer at Payne Nickles & Company. Bemis previously served as the executive director for Erie County Economic Development Corporation and Erie County Port Authority.
“We are thrilled to welcome Heidi, Kate, Matt, Tracey, and Abbey to Erie County Community Foundation,” said Beth Maiden, Community Foundation president and CEO in the release. “They each bring invaluable expertise and passion to our shared mission of enriching the lives of the people of Erie County by addressing community needs, providing leadership, and cultivating resources for a lasting impact. Their impressive skills and dedication will add immeasurable strength to our pursuits.”
Lee Alexakos and Ron Parthemore begin emeritus status effective immediately.
The Community Foundation also announced that Maiden was promoted to president and CEO; Paul Freeman to vice president of Development & Marketing, Randy Wagner to vice president of Finance & Administration, and Pam Provo to executive assistant.
Since Erie County Community Foundation’s founding in 1995, the release said, it has grown from assets totaling $1.8 million to more than $52.9 million in 2025. The Foundation has distributed over $27 million to area non-profits and students for local projects, programs, scholarships, services, and initiatives to improve the quality of life in Erie County.