Board of Directors

Mandi is a project manager in IT at Erie Insurance.  Her path to project management started as an interior designer working in architecture firms, owning her own business, and then as a corporate designer at ERIE Insurance.  In 2015, she attained her PMP and began her first job as a project manager supporting Human Resources.  In 2017, she moved into IT. 

Mandi has a passion for career development in herself and others, and leads a committee for career development in the Women’s Affinity Network at ERIE.  She also enjoys home improvement, craft beer and being awful at trivia.

Jess is currently a Program Manager in Next Level Innovation at Erie Insurance, overseeing initiatives focused on the creation of new businesses that will generate non-core revenue streams. She has been with Erie Insurance for the past 21 years, with many of those spent working on and managing projects and programs across IT and various business units.

Jess graduated from Penn State Behrend with a bachelor’s in Management, has earned the PMP and SCPM (Stanford Certified Project Manager) certifications, as well as hold several insurance industry designations.

Maria is a Project Manager in the Sales & Product Strategy & Program Management department at Erie Insurance. In her current role she focuses on Enterprise Data. Maria has been with ERIE for 27 years. Prior to her Project Manager role, she served as a Data Analyst in the Privacy Department

Maria was the 2014 recipient of ERIE’s Values in Practice award. This award recognizes Employees, who in the eyes of their co-workers, exemplify ERIE’s values. She also served as the past president of the Erie Insurance Activities Association for 20+ years. 

Maria earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Franklin University of Columbus, Ohio and an associate degrees from Madison Technical College and Erie Business Center. In addition, she holds the Associate in General Insurance, Insurance Services and Claims designations from The Institutes. Maria received Project Management Professional (PMP) designation in March 2022 and the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) in December 2020.   

Cassie is currently a Marketing Operations Consultant for the Sales and Marketing division at Erie Insurance.  She started at Erie Insurance as an intern in Information Technology in 2014.  Cassie held different project management roles in IT and successfully delivered many projects prior to moving to Marketing in 2022. 

Cassie graduated from Penn State University – University Park Campus with a degree in Marketing.  She also obtained her PMP in September of 2020.  In her free time, Cassie enjoys spending time with her husband, Kyle and her two-year-old son, Noah.  She also enjoys fitness - weightlifting, running, spin classes, you name it!

Dr. Muhammad Odeh is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Project Management in the Project and Supply Chain Management Department, Black School of Business at Pennsylvania State University, The Behrend College in Erie, Pennsylvania. Muhammad has 30+ years’ Industry, Professional, Corporate experience in Project Management, Management Consulting, Strategy, Direction, Security, Architecture, Operation Management and Executive Training. Not only is he an Assistant Professor, Muhammad is also an author of 3 Books and Articles:

1.     Transforming Project Management - In the age of the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence.

2.     Navigating the PMP Certification – Project Management Professional Exam Preparation and Review Guide.

3.     Project Management Concepts and Definitions. An explanation of more than 1800 PM concepts with more than 400 examples.

4.     Multiple peer review publications in professional and research journals.

Along with his teaching and writing experience, he has a lengthy list of Academic and Professional Qualifications which are listed below:

·  Doctor of Engineering, Engineering Management, The George Washington University, Washington DC.

·  Master of Science, Computer Science, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn NY.

·  Bachelor of Science, Computer Science, Missouri State University.

·  Advanced Project Management (SAPM), Stanford University.

·  Business Leadership Certificate, Ashridge Business University, UK.

·  Sustaining High Performance Certificate, IMD, Switzerland.

·  Managing Multifunctional teams in Cross Cultures, EMC University, Belgium

·  Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), ISACA.

·  Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), ISACA

·  Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)

·  Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP), DRI.

·  Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI.

·  Master Certificate in Project Management. The George Washington University.

·  Computer Systems Security Professional (CSSP) - Senior Grade, IACSS

Dr. Odeh is married with 2 adult sons and a daughter. He also enjoys reading, fishing and table tennis.

Melissa Lasky is currently a Master Project Manager at Erie Insurance supporting the Data Program. She has been with ERIE since 2014 and previously held project manager roles supporting both the Customer Service & Life organizations. Prior to joining ERIE, she worked in the public education industry coordinating federal and state funded grants and assessments. She earned her bachelor’s degree in management from Southern New Hampshire University. She has also received the CAPM, CPCU, AINS, AIS, and PROSCI designations. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family, exploring new areas, and being outdoors.