ERIE — The Erie Community Foundation, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this June, has announced the appointment of two new trustees, two new additions to its staff and one promotion.
Lauren Bauer, CIMA®, CPFA® and Kathleen Brugger, CPA, joined the Foundation’s board of trustees on January 1, 2025. “Because of their strong, yet unique, financial backgrounds, both Lauren and Kathy bring a wealth of investment and accounting experience to the Foundation,” said Karen Bilowith, president and CEO of The Erie Community Foundation. “Their track records of community service and detailed, proactive work will propel our mission to inspire, engage and empower our community, donors and nonprofits.”
Lauren Bauer, CIMA®, CPFA® was recently promoted to first vice president, wealth management advisor, senior retirement benefits consultant at Pfeffer/Stockard/Cacchione/Bauer Group, through Merrill Lynch. She provides strategic guidance when she works with individuals and companies who need assistance with planning and investing to reach retirement and financial goals.
Bauer shares her expertise as a volunteer across numerous boards including The Erie Community Foundation Professional Advisor Council, United Way Young Leaders’ Society, and UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbor. In 2023, she served as the Steering Committee Chair for The Erie Women’s Fund. In 2024, she led the Erie Women’s Fund as Chair and spearheaded the Above & Beyond Campaign, creating a million-dollar endowment for the Erie Women’s Fund when an anonymous donor created a dollar-for-dollar match challenge.
A graduate of the University of Dayton, she earned her CIMA (Certified Investment Management Analyst) designation from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Bauer’s achievements are reflected in her recognition on several prestigious lists, including the 2024 Forbes “Top Next-Generation Wealth Advisors Best-in-State” list, the Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams” list for both 2024 and 2023, and the 2024 “Top Women of Excellence” list published by the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA).
With 21 years of experience, Kathleen Brugger, CPA, is the controller at the family-owned Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, LLP, where she manages the operational expenses, organizational data, and financial matters of the business.
A distinguished graduate of Penn State University, Brugger earned her Bachelor of Science in accounting with the highest honors, followed by the completion of her CPA certification. She began her career in 1993 as a staff accountant at KPMG Peat Marwick in Pittsburgh before returning to Erie to join Brown, Schwab, Bergquist & Company. In 1996, she transitioned to Lord Corporation as an internal auditor, advancing to senior financial analyst — a position she held until 2003, when she joined the family business.
In addition to her new role with The Erie Community Foundation, Brugger has been a trustee at Marquette Savings Bank since 2020, where she also chairs the IT Committee. Brugger has extensive volunteer experience with several nonprofits, including leading technology education programs for seniors, with her most recent community involvement extends to the Erie Humane Society, where she became a Board Member in 2023 and assumed the role of treasurer in 2025.
With a goal of creating life-sustaining jobs in the community, Brugger has worked closely with The Erie Community Foundation and the Ben Franklin Technology Partners to provide funding for innovative companies in Erie, Pennsylvania through the Hartman Innovation Fund.
Molly Wojcik joined The Erie Community Foundation as philanthropic services assistant. Prior to her work at the Foundation, she worked as a language assistant in Chambery, France, where she assisted with non-native English teachers with language instruction.
Wojcik graduated from Allegheny College in 2023 with a BA in International Studies and French. Throughout her time at Allegheny College, she held numerous impressive positions that afforded her the opportunity to work in areas that focused on human rights, economic impact, and the social and human development impact of language of instruction.
Christine Snippert joined The Erie Community Foundation as staff accountant. She brings 15 years of experience in accounting, along with valuable managerial expertise, to her new role. Before joining the Foundation’s team, she spent time as the Staff Accountant for St. Mary’s Home of Erie.
Snippert holds a B.S. in business administration in accounting from Edinboro University. She began her career as an administrative assistant at St. Vincent Hospital, where she managed employee benefits, timekeeping, and supported financial reporting for seven years. Snippert then moved on to Walker Filtration as a senior staff accountant, followed by a role as a staff accountant with the City of Erie. After two years, she was promoted to accounting supervisor, and within five years, advanced to assistant financial director.
Additionally, the Foundation has promoted Olivia Burgess to director of Collective Giving. In her new role, Burgess will oversee the strategy and administration of the Foundation’s three Affinity Funds: the Erie Women’s Fund, the LGBT Fund, and the Emerging Erie Fund. Her responsibilities will include managing donor engagement, stewardship, cultivation and supporting all aspects of grantmaking, development and strategic initiatives for these funds.
Burgess first joined The Erie Community Foundation in 2022 asexecutive coordinator. In 2023, she was promoted to Philanthropic Services Office. A proud Union City native, Burgess graduated as the valedictorian of her class at Allegheny College in 2021 with a BA in english literature and a minor in journalism in the public interest.
To learn more, visit www.ErieCommunityFoundation.org.
