Board congratulates outgoing co-president and executive director on successful tenure

Jocelyn with SWSG’s 2019 Strong Award Girl Winner.

It is with both sadness and gratitude that the Strong Women, Strong Girls (SWSG) Pittsburgh Board announces Dr. Jocelyn Horner’s upcoming departure as Co-President and Executive Director. Since 2017, Jocelyn has led a dedicated team and stewarded the organization to some of its greatest accomplishments:

  • Established a strong financial position, including successive record-breaking fundraising achievements for the annual Strong Awards. This solid financial footing has enabled us to reach more girls, expand college mentor involvement and increase engagement with professional women across the Pittsburgh community.
  • Expanded SWSG Pittsburgh’s impact by increasing the number of participants served. Over the last two years, SWSG has grown to serve an additional 100+ girls, 75+ college women, and 80+ professional women.
  • Established innovative, organization-wide research and evaluation programming that informs decision-making at all levels.
  • Demonstrated an unwavering commitment to increased diversity in programming, volunteer participation, staffing and board membership, shaping how we approach every aspect of our work and will continue to do so moving forward.
  • Built the “Role Models in Residence” program, which is responsible for growing intergenerational female mentorship by providing opportunities for professional women to interact directly with elementary school girls with a focus on STEM.
  • Broadly increased program awareness within the greater Pittsburgh region through increased emphasis on marketing and the expansion of strong corporate partnerships.
  • Together with Boston’s Co-President and Executive Director Natalie Martinez, expanded and maintained a unified partnership across the enterprise that will sustain into the future.

Her last day with SWSG is Friday, May 1, 2020 at which time she will exit the organization to focus on a new chapter. We thank Jocelyn for her dedication, enthusiasm and her multitude of contributions to the development, growth and success of SWSG. She will be greatly missed by the staff, board members and partners alike and we look forward to following her future endeavors.

Over the next few months, we will be conducting a search for her replacement with interim leadership provided by Co-President and Executive Director for SWSG Boston, Natalie Martinez. We are confident that under Natalie’s interim Pittsburgh leadership, and with the support of our dedicated staff, both cities will maintain momentum toward our goal of empowering women and girls. We believe with change comes opportunity, and the Board is confident SWSG will continue to build a legacy of opportunity for girls, college women and Strong Leaders to imagine a broader future.