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Our Executive Director,
Mr. Jonathan Ray

“I am here for the same reason you are—to change my small part of the world through faith, education, and advocacy; and to empower students to do amazing things. I believe that together we will extend hope and opportunity to the greater Pittsburgh community.”

—Mr. Jonathan Ray, in a letter to staff at PUCS, December 2020

Now in his third decade of grassroots service and leadership, Mr. Jonathan Ray has a passion for organizations—like PUCS—that integrate faith with action. “I truly believe giving back is more important than getting more,” he says. His focus throughout his professional career has been on people, and especially young people.

Mr. Ray was most recently employed at the Propel Schools Foundation, where he was the Executive Director. Prior to coming to Pittsburgh, he led the Fort Wayne Urban League as President/CEO and directed the Allen County Division of Family and Children (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families  and Child Protection). Mr. Ray has a proven record of successful leadership, experience managing multi-million dollar budgets, sound fundraising experience, and in-depth knowledge of youth and community needs.

As an executive director hired during a pandemic, Jonathan acknowledges that this is a critical time to move toward recovery, embracing teamwork and innovation along the way. He is committed, together with every member of the staff, to ensure that PUCS thrives—and that, in its witness and service, PUCS becomes even more of a blessing to the surrounding community.