The names of many organizations overflow on Beth Wainwright’s non-profit resume, both paid and volunteer, in the Pittsburgh region. “I’ve been a community volunteer all my life,” she says, “literally since 5th grade when a friend and I started our Busy Bee Club to raise money for a family with a sick child and huge hospital bills. Over the years, I have never actively sought leadership positions, but I have never shied away from a challenge.”
Beth is taking on the role of National President of ARCS Foundation for the next two years, adding to her twenty years of advancing STEM as an ARCS member. She is a founding member of the Pittsburgh Chapter, a past Chapter President, and an ARCS Light honoree. Beth has also served on the National Board in several capacities. She now leads ARCS National as ARCS reaches its 65th Anniversary this year. Beth says she considers her new role “an invigorating challenge.”
During her fifteen years as Executive Director of Leadership Pittsburgh, Inc., she learned the phrase “servant leadership.” A servant-leader “shares power, puts the needs of others first, and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible. I have tried my best to model that behavior and make a difference,” she says.
Her motivation for ARCS and the mission of scientific innovation is very personal. Four years after becoming an ARCS member in Pittsburgh, Beth’s life took an unexpected turn when her son was diagnosed with leukemia. “I became an advocate of ARCS, hoping that one of our brilliant scholars will someday discover a cure for such awful diseases as leukemia. After twelve years of optimism, my son succumbed. Now, every dollar I donate to an ARCS Scholar comes with hope and optimism,” she says.
Beth has no science background, admitting that “science courses in school were difficult” for her. Her time in ARCS has opened doors to graduate students and to lab tours at universities and corporations, where she learned more about STEM’s influence in our world. “I recognize that science is all around us in everything we do. I am in awe and wish I had paid more attention to those science courses when I was younger,” she says. “My artificial knee is thanks to technology and medical research.”
Her first job was as a Community Organizer/Fundraiser for the United Way of Allegheny County in Pennsylvania. Later, when she retired as Executive Director of Leadership Pittsburgh, Inc., the organization had transitioned from a program of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce to a stand-alone 501(c)3 organization with multiple programs.
The Junior League of Pittsburgh has honored her twice for her volunteer work.
It is no surprise that in her spare time, Beth moves. She stays fit with tennis, paddle tennis, pickleball, Pilates, and spending time with her four grandchildren.
To see the list of the women who will be working with Beth Wainwright, see the 2023-24 ARCS National leadership team here.
