Legacy Foundation hires Community Development Director and Program Coordinator
The South Shore Neighborhood Development Corporation (SSNDC), managed by Legacy Foundation, gained two new employees. Donna Catalano joined as community development director and Marie Pittman as Program Coordinator for Lake County Eats Local, a program of the SSNDC.
As community development director, Catalano will lead the SSNDC and ensure a creative neighborhood-based approach to community and economic development projects in Lake County, Indiana.
Catalano comes to Legacy Foundation from South Shore Arts where she served as the Indiana Arts Commission’s Regional Representative for Region I (Lake, Porter & LaPorte Counties) and as the chair of the statewide regional partnership. Catalano serves as a precinct committeeman in the City of Crown Point and is a member of Tri Kappa. She serves on the board of several local organizations including the Veterans Parkway Commission and serves on the Advisory Board of the Leadership Institute at Purdue Northwest. With her community involvement, she has been able to promote significant, positive change through advocacy in the arts. Catalano is a long-time resident of Northwest Indiana.
Pittman will provide project management support to Lake County Eats Local farmers markets. Lake County Eats Local is a program of the SSNDC, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers Market Promotional Program, to address access and availability of fresh and healthy food in East Chicago and Gary. Legacy Foundation and the SSNDC are collaborating with Purdue University Cooperative Extension of Lake County, the NWI Food Council, the City of Gary’s Department of Green Urbanism and Environmental Affairs, the City of East Chicago’s Departments of Parks and Recreation and Planning and Development.
Pittman is a native of Gary and has worked in the nonprofit community as a project manager, an event coordinator, and a public relations specialist. She received a B.A. in Communications from Purdue University with a focus in crisis communications and public relations. Pittman is also a project manager for the Love Your Block grant program in collaboration with the Gary Mayor’s Office.
About Legacy Foundation
Legacy Foundation Inc. is a nonprofit community foundation that supports the passions of philanthropic individuals, organizations, and businesses in Lake County, Ind. Through the generosity of many donors, Legacy has awarded more than $40 million to charitable causes since its founding in 1992. With a deep knowledge of local issues, we work creatively across the public, private and philanthropic sectors to address challenges throughout Lake County. The foundation manages $60 million in assets and is governed by a diverse volunteer board of directors. For more information, visit www.legacyfdn.org.