Meet Kellianne
As a lifelong resident of the Mon Valley, Kellianne was born and raised in the Mon Valley to working class parents: her mother a bank teller and both her father and step-father were machinists. Kellianne’s family has been in this region for nearly a century serving as educators, nurses, first responders, and union workers. Kellianne’s family instilled in her a deep-rooted commitment to our community and the work ethic to improve the lives of others.
Her family also instilled in her a great appreciation and respect for nature. She was fortunate to grow up with the Youghiogheny River, Round Hill Park, and acres of woods in her backyard. She spent most of her youth outdoors playing with friends in the woods, tending the garden, camping, boating, and skiing with family.
Kellianne was the first in her family to graduate from college, receiving a B.S.B.A. with a dual degree in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from Duquesne University. After graduating she worked various jobs in the food industry while attending Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute of Pittsburgh earning a Culinary Arts Degree. Everything from waiting tables to operating a banquet facility in the West End of Pittsburgh. Then as a food service director for several local school districts.
In 2022 Kellianne went back to school to complete an MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management at Ohio University. In 2022 Kellianne went back to school to earn an MBA in Operations and Supply Chain Management from Ohio University. While earning her degree she worked as a Supply Chain Specialist at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (GPCFB). In this role she has led initiatives to streamline operations, improve resource allocation, and support vulnerable populations facing food insecurity. While working full time and raising her son Kellianne was promoted to Inventory Control Coordinator and graduated Summa Cum Laude.
In her current position at GPCFB she manages the operations side of the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) for seniors. Additionally, Kellianne is on the education committee for the National CSFP board and was recently elected to their Board of Directors. At GPCFB she serves on several Employee Resource groups Serving up PRIDE, Emerging Professionals, Working Caregivers, and Neurodiversity in the Workplace. She also enjoys pitching in to workplace committee initiatives such as the employee garden. Kellianne is looking forward to championing antihunger initiatives in the newly formed Advocacy Committee.
After living in McKeesport for almost 15 years, in 2020 Kellianne had an opportunity to buy a home where she grew up in Elizabeth Township. She wanted her son to have the same opportunity to play in the same woods as she did, fish in the same rivers, and explore the same trails. She began attending and speaking at school board and commissioners’ meetings. Unfortunately, this is also when the gas industry was asking for a Conditional Use Agreement to build an unconventional gas well 1700 ft. from their high school. The approval of the pad only fueled her desire to advocate for her community and the environment.
Recently, after several years of asking her school board to live stream and archive their meetings for transparency and ease of access, she was fed up. She felt her and the community were not being heard. So, Kellianne spearheaded an initiative to get them to. It started with regular comments at board meetings, then a petition was started, and eventually she began livestreaming them herself. Shortly thereafter, they had a discussion and agreed to begin livestreaming once all safety precautions were in place. While they are currently only livestreaming, Kellianne continues to advocate for archiving the livestreams.
In her free time, Kellianne is deeply committed to community building and grassroots organizing. She regularly volunteers with organizations that align with her values, including Allegheny Cleanways, Food & Water Watch PA, Moms Demand Action, Sunrise Movement, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, and Community Care & Resistance in Pittsburgh (CCRIP).
Kellianne also serves as a committee member of the Elizabeth Township Democratic Committee and holds a leadership role as Vice President of Three Rivers Democratic Women, and is a member of the Business & Professional Women's Club – McKeesport Chapter. In these roles, she champions women’s equality, justice, and reproductive rights, and actively supports local nonprofits by providing them with grant funding, donations, and speaking opportunities.
Her deep-rooted activism, leadership experience, and dedication to community advocacy make Kellianne uniquely qualified to serve in public office. She is ready to bring her experience, passion, and commitment to the County Council—fighting for clean air and water, expanding affordable housing, strengthening workers’ rights, and ensuring that no family goes hungry.