Dana Yealy, who served as the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion’s first Board chair for two years, has resigned from the PLDIC Board as he assumes a new role at Federal Home Loan Bank – Pittsburgh. At the end of 2019, Yealy turned over the leadership reins, in accordance with the Coalition by-laws, to Don Bluedorn, managing shareholder of Babst Calland.

After serving for 34 years as the Bank’s general counsel, Yealy recently moved into a new executive role as the Bank’s Chief Strategic Initiatives Officer. Dana turned over the GC’s position to his long-time deputy, Julie Spiker.

“It is not an exaggeration to say that it is difficult to imagine the Coalition having come as far as it has come in little more than two years without the leadership of Dana Yealy,” said Susan Yohe, PLDIC Executive Director. “He took a chance on a fledgling organization with no track record and steered it into the vital role it plays today in the Pittsburgh legal community.”

The Coalition has hired Megan Edwards to help it with all its communications needs — including newsletters, program announcements, website maintenance, and social media creation.

From 2014 until joining the Coalition, Megan was a communications specialist for the University of Pittsburgh’s Division of Philanthropic & Alumni Engagement. Previously, she spent four years managing all communications for the Moon Area School District. She is a cum laude graduate of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BA in journalism/public relations.

Duquesne University School of Law student, Marvi Wahla, is the recipient of the 2019 Burns White Diversity in the Law Scholarship, awarded to a first-year, diverse student at the University’s School of Law. Ms. Wahla, a graduate of George Mason University, was selected from a competitive pool of qualified applicants.

“We established this scholarship at Duquesne University to provide academic and real-world opportunities to deserving individuals in underrepresented groups in an effort to diversify the composition of the legal profession,” noted David White, Executive Committee Member. “Marvi stood out as an extremely qualified candidate who has the potential to make a big difference, and we are extremely pleased to support her in achieving her legal aspirations through, not only funding, but practical work experience and mentoring.” Duquesne University School of Law dean, April Barton, said, “We are so proud of Marvi, and most grateful to Burns White. This scholarship represents who we are at Duquesne, and captures the spirit of community so critical to a law student’s success.”