Celebrating Excellence: Casey Corritore Named Young Professional of the Year!

We are beyond thrilled to announce that Casey Corritore, Erie Arts & Culture’s brilliant and beloved Capacity Building Lead, has been named Young Professional of the Year by The Nonprofit Partnership!

Each year, this award celebrates a rising leader who is making meaningful contributions to the nonprofit sector—and anyone who’s worked with Casey knows that she’s all that and more. Selected through a rigorous process by a committee of community leaders, Casey’s nomination rose to the top—and for good reason.

Through her work leading our Arts, Culture, and Creative Entrepreneurship program, Casey supports the creative spirit of Northwestern Pennsylvania by helping artists and organizations thrive. Whether it’s guiding someone through their first grant, connecting creatives to new professional opportunities, or fostering a space where equity and innovation go hand in hand—Casey is there with the smarts, the heart, and the hustle to make it happen.

In 2024, at just 25 years old, Casey also stepped into the role of Interim Executive Director during a critical transition. She led with clarity and compassion, managing reduced staff while keeping our organization not only stable but thriving. It’s rare to find someone who can balance such sharp strategic thinking with a generous and community-minded spirit—but that’s Casey in a nutshell.

Her leadership and voice are being recognized well beyond Erie too—Casey was recently featured as a guest on the Rooted and Rising podcast, the show that brings you unfiltered conversations with nonprofit visionaries. In the episode, Casey speaks powerfully about the vital role of arts and culture nonprofits in community development. She shares how Erie Arts & Culture serves as a hub for resources, creative entrepreneurship, and collaboration across our region, and even discusses bold ideas for activating Erie’s waterfront and attracting emerging artistic talent. If you're curious about the economic power of the arts or the future of Erie’s creative sector, this is a must-listen.

The impact of her work ripples far beyond our office walls. Casey champions creative entrepreneurs, expands access to funding, nurtures inclusive networks, and lifts others up at every step of the way. She leads with purpose, makes space for collaboration, and brings joy into everything she does.

We couldn’t be prouder to see her recognized for her talent, dedication, and leadership. Casey will be honored at the Nonprofit Excellence Awards Luncheon. We invite our community to join us in celebrating her success and cheering her on as she continues to shape the future of arts and culture in our region.

You inspire us every day, and Erie is lucky to have you.