50 Leaders Give Their Rx for Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor, Pt. II

Editor’s Note: We asked Pittsburgh leaders to give their prescriptions for Mayor Corey O’Connor on how to build a bright future for Pittsburgh. Their answers follow.

Previously in this series: 50 Leaders Give Their Rx for Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor, Pt. II

Jim McQuade, President & CEO, Dollar Bank
Mayor O’Connor has a real opportunity to build on the momentum that is underway in Pittsburgh. Housing and economic development have always shaped this city’s success, but restoring confidence — especially around safety — will be essential to sustaining long-term growth.

Downtown revitalization is moving forward, yet execution will determine its impact. Before the pandemic, Downtown Pittsburgh felt safe, active, and full of energy. Offices were full, restaurants were busy, and people felt comfortable spending time Downtown. Recreating that environment requires visible public safety, clean and welcoming streets, and steady follow-through on plans already in motion.

Economic and workforce development should reinforce that progress. Attracting new businesses must be a priority, and strategic incentives and targeted tax abatements can help lower barriers for entrepreneurs and employers willing to invest in the city. By tackling safety, affordable housing, and smart incentives, we can build a city that works for today’s residents and the next generation.

Joan Gabel, Chancellor, University of Pittsburgh
In giving the commencement speech at Pitt in 1994, Pittsburgh native and Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough spoke about the city’s relationship with its university. He noted that we were not only “each enlarged, each inspired by the other” but also “joined in a vital past” as well as the future. In this important moment, where rapid advances from biomedical research to artificial intelligence are reshaping economic and workforce needs, Pittsburgh has a unique opening to shape the future of generations to come. We encourage the city, as McCullough described, to lean into our 239-year partnership. We similarly encourage the city to broadly advance public-private partnerships as a means to convene and connect varied stakeholders, which is needed more than ever. In working together, we can forge our city into a supportive and safe destination where opportunity meets impact for all students, scholars, and strivers.

Susie Shipley, President, Pennsylvania and Ohio Valley Region, Huntington Bank
Pittsburgh is on the cusp of another renaissance — our best days are certainly ahead. As an ideal place for families to raise children, we are a hardworking community, leaning in to shared progress and growth. Mayor Corey O’Connor can be a convener of the right parties to drive positive outcomes, which are future-focused and grounded in the idea of what is best for families in our city. We need our “best and brightest” to grow up in Pittsburgh, go to one of our top institutions of higher learning, and then stay and participate in our shared future. With a focus on advancements in affordable housing, this is a city that cares about the success of each resident. We can strengthen our city and we all will benefit. Mayor O’Connor is focused on leaning into the future, and I’m confident that together we will find success for all Pittsburghers.

Stefani Pashman, CEO, Allegheny Conference on Community Development
The unity of public- and private-sector leaders has defined the civic fabric of the Pittsburgh region for more than 80 years. We make big things happen, hand-in-hand with our elected officials, building on our shared strength and power in working together. From David L. Lawrence in 1944 through Corey O’Connor today, we have set forth a better future for this region alongside 12 mayors.

Fewer than 30 days into his term, I am inspired by Mayor O’Connor’s leadership; from public safety to permitting to Downtown investment to improved city operations, Mayor O’Connor’s actions clearly show that we are aligned in this work of building a better Pittsburgh. I stand ready to partner and support Mayor O’Connor and his team in fulfilling our shared vision for the region.

Rafael Santana, President & CEO, Wabtec Corporation
Congratulations on your victory and the opportunity you have to renew Pittsburgh’s promise. As CEO of Wabtec — a company deeply rooted in this region’s industrial heart — I’d like to share three practical perspectives on how we can continue to accelerate our city’s comeback.

First, modernize infrastructure with targeted public/private partnerships: Upgrade freight and transit corridors to support jobs, reduce congestion, and attract investment. Second, prioritize workforce development: Scale apprenticeships and STEM training linked to local employers, so residents are at the center of Pittsburgh’s growth story. Third, foster a business-friendly climate: Start by streamlining permits, incentivizing redevelopment of vacant sites, and promoting deep tech and advanced manufacturing clusters.

Commit to measurable goals, transparent progress metrics, and quarterly public updates. Pittsburgh’s strengths — its talent, universities, and manufacturing legacy — are a powerful foundation. With pragmatic leadership and collaboration between government, industry, and communities, we can build a more prosperous, connected, and resilient Pittsburgh for the next generation. On behalf of Wabtec, we stand ready to partner for Pittsburgh’s progress.

Anthony Williams, Head of School, The Neighborhood Academy
As a Pittsburgh native, I believe that attaining a quality education continues to be the great differentiator in trajectory for countless individuals in our society. This is especially true within our great city, which I proudly call home. We are experiencing both great opportunities and challenges that the integration of technology infuses into our daily lives. As we continue to encounter emerging trends that influence the workforce and livability of our region, it is critically important that our leaders continue to advance strategies to ensure that all our residents are well-educated and positioned to fulfill the leadership needs of the future. I look forward to partnering with Mayor O’Connor and his administration to ensure that Pittsburgh continues to be a thriving city for all residents for generations to come.

Farnam Jahanian, President, Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh’s greatest strength has always been our capacity to reinvent ourselves. We’re known for convening the public sector, private industry, and civic institutions to meet the next challenge and redefine our future together. My advice to Mayor O’Connor is simple: Keep Pittsburgh’s people at the center of every decision. Use data and technology to make government more responsive, efficient and accountable but measure success by what residents feel in their daily lives: reliable services, vibrant communities, and real pathways to opportunity. The world should know that Pittsburgh is open to new ideas, new ventures and new partnerships. If we do that — if we leverage innovation to drive dignity and prosperity across every neighborhood and we welcome change and collaboration with open arms — Pittsburgh won’t just be a model for reinvention. We’ll be a model of economic growth and opportunity for all.