SHIM has seen a lot of growth over the past few years, and the current board chair Pace is helping to steer the organization towards a bright future. With a background in corporate strategy, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role at SHIM.
Originally from Monroeville, Pace moved with his wife Michelle to the South Hills in 2001. A native South Hills resident, Michelle had been a member of Temple Emanuel of South Hills since she was a child and was eager to participate in the congregation. They learned about SHIM through the congregation’s many service projects and donation drives. Pace became even more involved as his children became school age and ultimately they chose SHIM for their mitzvah projects, a service project that teens do before their bar or bat mitzvah. Pace’s son even had jars of beans that would be donated to SHIM as centerpieces at his bar mitzvah luncheon.
Passionate about helping others, Pace served on several other boards before landing on SHIM’s board. He served on the advisory board at the Carnegie Science Center and was on the board of Reading Is FUNdamental. After Pace’s friend Andrew (a former board member now current employee at SHIM) recommended he take his place, Pace began his first term. Now in his fourth year on the board, he serves as the current board chair.
Pace easily aligned with the value that SHIM brings to the community and welcomed the chance to become more involved. Even though he had been engaged with SHIM through Temple Emanuel, he was surprised to learn the breadth of SHIM’s programs and the widespread need in the South Hills. He notes that the staff is really special and works well together. He sees the passion of the staff and enjoys interacting with them at meetings and volunteer events.
“People don’t always see the need in the suburbs. SHIM’s a connector and will never turn anyone away. If they can’t help, they’ll connect you to someone who can.”
Adept at shifting programs to best meet the needs of the community, SHIM was especially well positioned to help during the pandemic. Pace notes that the strong leadership and dedicated staff members allowed SHIM to meet the needs of the community during a challenging time.
Thanks in part to SHIM’s Do More Good Campaign and strategic planning, the organization came out of the pandemic ready to serve more people. As inflation caused even more economic hardship for families, SHIM has enhanced programs and staffing to match the increased needs.
With an eye towards the future, Pace brings his strategic planning skills to his role as SHIM’s board chair, helping to envision the implementation of SHIM’s five-year strategic plan that focuses on updating facilities, increasing financial stability, and expanding programs to best meet the needs of the South Hills. Pace values SHIM’s diversity as it serves all in the South Hills population that have a need. The board and staff are made up of people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, representing the community in which they serve.
“It isn’t about giving but about helping.”
With a focus on a hand up and not a handout, SHIM aims to empower people. Pace understands that sometimes people need a little lift. Neighbors utilizing SHIM services are ambitious and eager to improve their situations. They just need to know who to ask for help.
Hear Pace talk about our strategic plan HERE.
