PRC announces the appointment of Sarah Alessio Shea, who since 2005 has overseen a variety of PRC recycling programs in western Pennsylvania. The 70+ collection events she’s organized have kept more than 3 million pounds of material out of landfills.
Ms. Shea’s logistical expertise and hands-on leadership will now benefit the organization statewide as she assumes the role of Deputy Director, focusing her efforts on the expansion of PRC’s recycling, composting and other waste reduction programming.
“Over the years, Sarah has expanded existing programs and launched new initiatives while building partnerships and a positive customer experience,” says PRC Executive Director Darren Spielman. “In her new expanded role as Deputy Director, Sarah will incorporate her commitment to excellence, attention to detail and entrepreneurial spirit while guiding PRC programs statewide.”
For more than a decade, Ms. Shea coordinated PRC’s hard-to-recycle collection events, which provided western Pennsylvania residents with a responsible disposal option for e-waste, tires and more, and in recent years she also coordinated PRC’s household chemical collections in the region. In 2012 she launched ReuseFest as a collection of gently used items to benefit local nonprofits. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, ReuseFest continues to ensure that all materials donated are reused in some fashion, whether resold, repurposed or given to those in need.
In Fall 2020, Ms. Shea assumed a statewide role when promoted to Interim Managing Director.
“Sarah enjoys rolling up her sleeves and working every facet of on-site event management, but she is also an excellent administrator who works behind the scenes on the many details needed to guarantee successful efforts,” says Dr. Spielman. “She brings vision and enthusiasm to every project, and she brings out the best in the people around her.”
Ms. Shea was born and raised in Pittsburgh and currently lives with her husband and two daughters in Emsworth, Pennsylvania.
SARAH ALESSIO SHEA
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
PENNSYLVANIA RESOURCES COUNCIL
Sarah Alessio Shea is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and a Secondary Education Certification in Earth and Space Science.
Since 2008, she has been a member of the Clean Pittsburgh Commission, a commission of the City of Pittsburgh that works on quality of life issues in Pittsburgh, currently serving as Treasurer and having served as President. Since 2019, Sarah has been a member of the Board of Directors of Communitopia, a Pittsburgh area nonprofit focused in furthering climate change education.
Sarah’s vision: Less Trash; Less Waste; More Reuse, Recycling and Composting! You can start small!