The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission is pleased to announce the election of new member Caroline D. (“Carrie”) Barmen at its Sept. 17 meeting.
Carrie Barmen currently serves as the director of resource development and communications for Propel Schools Foundation, supporting the charter school network’s fundraising initiatives and administering its scholarship program. Barmen has served as the coordinator for Propel Northside Community Wellness Center and the director of community schools prior to her current role. Early in her career, she focused on child and adolescent mental health for UMPC and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. She also served as a partner of Social Venture Partners, which invests, mentors, and supports nonprofit organizations that focus on at-risk youth. Barmen holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and Master’s degrees in counseling from Duquesne University and public management from Carnegie Mellon University. Barmen lives in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood with her husband, Robert. They have four sons.
“Carrie’s experience in mental health advocacy will be an asset as the Hero Fund continues to develop its support of heroes who are coping with non-physical injuries from their rescues. She is a leader in Pittsburgh’s education and nonprofit sectors, and we are looking forward to having her intellect and empathy on board,” said Eric Zahren, Hero Fund president.
The Pittsburgh-based Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, a private operating foundation, awards the Carnegie Medal to civilians who enter extraordinary danger while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. Throughout the 120 years since the Fund was established by industrialist-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, $44 million has been given in one-time grants, scholarship aid, death benefits, and continuing assistance to recipients of the Carnegie Medal or their families.
More information on the Carnegie Medal and the history of the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission can be found at carnegiehero.org. Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/carnegiehero, Instagram: @carnegiehero, and Twitter: @carnegie_hero.