Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC), the Commonwealth’s oldest grassroots environmental organization, is pleased to appoint Sarah Alessio Shea as Executive Director following the recent announcement by Darren Spielman that he will depart from this role by year’s end. Shea will coordinate with Spielman as she transitions into this new role over the next several months.
The appointment establishes Shea – who possesses two decades of experience with PRC and currently serves as its Deputy Director – as leader of the statewide nonprofit organization nationally recognized for its expertise in recycling and waste reduction.
“Sarah is an accomplished and dynamic nonprofit leader who demonstrates a keen understanding of what it takes to develop and implement a strategic vision,” according to PRC Board President Scott Dismukes. “She 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 orchestrating numerous details needed to guarantee successful efforts.”
As Executive Director of PRC, Shea will oversee statewide public and private partnerships focused on education, material collection/recycling, watershed protection, and litter prevention, and she will supervise staff members based in regional offices in Allegheny County and Delaware County.
“I am thrilled to serve as PRC’s Executive Director and to build on the organization’s strong legacy,” said Shea. “For nearly two decades, I have seen firsthand the impact PRC has on communities across the Commonwealth, and I am excited to lead the organization into its next chapter – expanding our reach, deepening our partnerships, and advancing innovative solutions for a more sustainable and less wasteful Pennsylvania.”
During her 20-year tenure, Shea has coordinated PRC’s Hard-to-Recycle and Household Chemical Collections, managing more than 70 events that have served 35,000+ residents and diverted 3.4 million pounds of material from landfills. She also led the development of PRC’s Act 101 White Paper, published in 2021, advancing statewide recycling policy.
Since assuming the Deputy Director position in 2021, Shea has overseen PRC’s staff and programs across Pennsylvania, ensuring effective implementation of environmental initiatives. She has secured grant funding from government agencies and private foundations, building lasting relationships that have strengthened PRC’s capacity and expanded programs in recycling, waste diversion, and environmental education.
Beyond PRC, Shea contributes to the broader recycling community through board service with the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania and the National Recycling Coalition, where she guides strategy and advocacy at state and national levels. In Southwestern PA, she has been a part of the Clean Pittsburgh Commission (including past treasurer and president) and Communitopia, which focuses on climate change education (past board member).
Shea was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pa., where she currently lives with her husband and two daughters. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and a Secondary Education Certification in Earth and Space Science from the University of Pittsburgh.
“Sarah brings vision and enthusiasm to every project, and she brings out the best in the people around her,” said Dismukes. “Given her many years of experience with PRC, we are confident that PRC will be well positioned under her guidance to thrive in the years to come.”
Since 1939 PRC has worked to protect the Commonwealth’s resources for future generations through environmental education, recycling and waste diversion programs, anti-litter campaigns and much more. Visit www.prc.org for details.