Christie Knott, Executive Director Of Family House Completes Graduation Requirements For Leadership

June 2, 2011 - PRLog -- Family House is pleased to announce that Christie Knott, Executive Director, has completed the requirements for graduation from Leadership Pittsburgh, Inc.’s (LPI) flagship program –  Leadership Pittsburgh (LP).  The program’s highly competitive selection process brought together a cohort of sixty individuals from across our region to form LP Class XXVII from several hundred applicants.    

Leadership Pittsburgh, Inc. (LPI) is the foremost multi-disciplinary leadership identification, enrichment and networking organization in Southwestern Pennsylvania. In 1983, LPI was founded with the mission to ensure that Pittsburgh’s future leaders would be knowledgeable about issues, well-networked and passionate about the success of our region.  Over a quarter of a century later and with nearly 1,500 graduates since the program’s inception, the impact of LPI programs can be felt in many areas of our community.  Underscoring LPI’s success, their unique approach to leadership development has set the benchmark across the country for similar leadership programs.

The nine month long curriculum exposed LP Class XXVII participants to divergent topics ranging from SWPA’s energy industry and human service programs to the Pittsburgh arts scene and the challenges facing local government.  The LP Class XXVII curriculum culminated in two noteworthy events.  First, classmates led a two day advocacy trip to Harrisburg in early May to discuss our region’s key challenges with PA House and Senate Leadership and key members of the Corbett Administration.  Second, as a follow-up assignement, eight seperate self-directed LP Class XXVII teams were tasked with developing policy papers on topics including municipal consolidation, unfunded state mandates, and marcellus shale taxation. Mrs. Knott’s work group identified specific issues surrounding marcellus shale exploration and extraction and tax implications for our region. Policy briefs were presented and defended to a panel of public policy experts during the LP graduation exercise on Thursday, June 2 at the University of Pittsburgh’s Alumni Hall.   “I am honored to have been part of the LP experience and found value in our in-depth research and outcome recommendations”, says Mrs. Knott.  “The recommendations set forth in our policy brief are sound and hopefully will make an impact.”

Mrs. Knott and her LP Class XXVII classmates reflected diverse backgrounds, professional disciplines, and organizations.  In addtion to Christie Knott’s participation, Leadership Pittsburgh’s Class XXVII attracted senior leaders from organizations such as Bayer Corporation, Giant Eagle, PNC, UPMC Health Plan, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, Highmark, Pop City, The Hillman Foundation, FedEx Ground, and other top Pittsburgh businesses, non-profits, and public institutions.

Christie C. Knott is the Executive Director of Family House, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, established in 1983 to serve patients and their families seeking treatment in Pittsburgh for acute or life-threatening illnesses or injuries. For 27 years, Family House has provided a supportive, comfortable and affordable “home away from home” to seriously ill patients and their families from all 50 states and 44 countries.

Over the years, more than 120,000 guests have stayed at Family House – some for 18 months or more. Family House is currently comprised of four separate houses in the Oakland and Shadyside areas of Pittsburgh, totaling 163 guest rooms.  All four facilities are within close proximity to world-renowned hospital centers, including UPMC Health System, Veteran’s Hospital, and West Penn Allegheny Health System. Family House annually supports more than 10,000 families.

Ms. Knott is originally from Scranton, PA.  She is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and holds a B.A. degree in Applied Psychology. Previously, Ms. Knott was the Director of Community Development at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation, where she launched new family centered care volunteer assignments and expanded the existing program. Prior to 2003, Ms. Knott maintained a successful career in Retail Management with a specialization in Human Resources and Process Improvement.  Her previous work experience includes Macy’s, May Company and American Eagle Outfitter’s.  Ms. Knott began her volunteer relationship with Family House in 2000 became the Executive Director of Family House in 2005.

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About Family House: Family House, Inc., is a private 501 ( c ) (3) organization, established in 1983 to serve patients and their families seeking medical treatment for acute or life-threatening illnesses in Pittsburgh. For more information, or to make a secure donation, please visit http://www.familyhouse.org.