Get to know Stacy Juchno
Board Chair Stacy Juchno has been engaged with United Way since 2009 in various roles including Tocqueville Society emerging leaders and co-chair of Women United. She’s EVP & General Auditor of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. We talked with her about early life and why financial stability is the United Way investment priority she resonates with most.
How did your upbringing influence the person you are today?
I grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania, with my parents, older brother and my identical twin sister. We were a working-class family. My dad worked for Erie Insurance and my mom was the local elementary school janitor. Honestly, it was hard being an identical twin. Because we didn’t have much, we were expected to share everything, so I did everything I could to be an individual. It wasn’t until after college that my sister Jen and I got close. Now she is my person, and I call her five times a day.
What might people be surprised to know about you?
Early in my career, I had a lot of credit card debt. I lived in a small house we rented –my room was a closet really – with two roommates so I could pay off that debt. It was rough and I lived paycheck to paycheck. If something happened to my car or my job, I don’t know what I would have done. Financial stability means you can breathe a bit and don’t have to worry so much. I know from experience how hard it is to put debt behind you.
How did you choose your career?
I took a ton of math classes. In 11th grade, I aced Mr. Morrison’s accounting class and just loved it. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing now. Working for a variety of public accounting firms, I learned that I really love applying my skills to helping companies comply with rules and regulations. This work requires accurate and robust internal controls for financial data, which is a major part of my role here now at PNC.
Who influenced you to give back?
It’s something I learned from my peers who showed me by example that I had a lot to give. I see how many people along the way have helped me, supported me and made it possible for me to do well enough to give back. In 2009, when I was at PNC, I was invited to campaign meetings and met company leaders I hadn’t met before. United Way was the connector.
What community issues keep you up at night?
Seeing people on the streets and not knowing if they have a place to go home to at night is very troubling to me. You never know a person’s story. I hand out 211 cards when I give people money. 211 and the agencies we partner with are incredible resources to people in crisis.
What are your favorite United Way events?
In 2014, I was invited to be part of United Way’s proposal review process and loved it. I saw where my dollars were going and had discussions about the number of people impacted and how we could solve a problem, not just mend it. That experience totally hooked me. I joke now that my tombstone will say “I just wanted to help.”
Build A Bike is my absolute favorite event. I love the teambuilding it offers. And knowing that all those bikes go to local kids who need them. I was a Gen X latch-key kid and grew up on my bike. I cannot imagine childhood without one. It’s amazing to know that we’re helping kids have that same freedom.
Now you are our board chair. What are your hopes and dreams for this position of service?
I’m amazed by the depth and breadth of what the team does. I see my role as supporting Bobbi and her team, by providing help to fulfill the mission. We’re focused on finding a way to get more money back into the community. It doesn’t happen overnight.