Lehigh Valley Community Foundation announces new CEO

The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, one of the largest funders of nonprofit organizations in the Lehigh Valley has named a Certified Public Accountant as its new CEO.

Erika Riddle Petrozelli will assume the role Jan. 1 upon the retirement of current president and CEO, Bernie Story.

Story has served in the role since 2012 and grew the foundation’s assets from $33 million to more than $60 million during his tenure. He will step down Dec. 31, but will stay on as president for a transitional period through the end of June.

He will remain a philanthropic adviser to the foundation.

Petrozelli jointed the foundation in 2014 as director of donor services. She has served as vice president of philanthropy for the past year.

“Erika is a tremendous asset to the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, and we are fortunate that she has agreed to succeed me as CEO. She has all of the necessary skills to make the Foundation even more impactful over the next decade and beyond,” said Story. “She is a true professional with proven potential to become a community leader in a very short time.”

As a CPA, she has been able to provide professional knowledge and advice about charitable giving to a wide range of Lehigh Valley residents.

Prior to joining Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, Petrozelli, was vice president of investor relations at Magnitude Capital LLC, based in New York City.

In this role, she was responsible for client service and content management for the firm’s global investor base.