Rivers of Steel Welcomes Mary W. Murrin as Its
Next President and CEO
Murrin will be the second chief executive to lead the organization in 35 years.
Homestead, PA (January 24, 2025)—Rivers of Steel’s board of directors is excited to announce the selection of Mary W. Murrin as the next president and chief executive officer of the Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation, effective March 1. Murrin, a Pittsburgh native, succeeds August R. Carlino, who, as previously announced, is set to retire from his founding role at the end of March.
“On behalf of the board of Rivers of Steel, I am delighted to announce Mary Murrin as our new president and chief executive officer,” said Dick Wallace, board chair for Rivers of Steel. “Mary brings a wealth of experience in corporate affairs, strategic planning, and fostering impactful public-private partnerships, making her an outstanding choice to lead Rivers of Steel into its next chapter. Her proven success in leveraging social investments and her passion for connecting communities to their heritage align perfectly with our mission.”
Ms. Murrin, a corporate affairs and social impact leader, will return to the region to oversee Rivers of Steel’s community development efforts, including the management of its four historic attractions and programs supporting the eight-county Rivers of Steel National and State Heritage Area. For the last 11 years, Ms. Murrin has supported the efforts of Chevron U.S.A. in a series of lead roles in social investment, corporate affairs, and digital strategy communications, most recently from Houston, Texas.
“I have been looking for the right opportunity to return home to Pittsburgh, and I’m incredibly honored to continue Augie Carlino’s 35-year vision and legacy for Rivers of Steel,” Murrin stated. “We share a commitment to preserving and celebrating our industrial heritage. And we understand the power of leveraging our natural resources and cultural experiences to grow our economy and inspire a creative quality of life.”
Ms. Murrin’s career has been shaped by economic shifts and industry trends, allowing her to develop expertise in the planning and implementation of programs addressing social and environmental challenges and change. After an early stint with Westinghouse Electric, Ms. Murrin spent nearly two decades with emerging technology ventures evolved from Carnegie Mellon University, primarily in communications and business development roles. In the early 2000s, she was active in former Allegheny County Executive Jim Roddey’s New Idea Factory, which was central in preparing Allegheny County to shift to a technology hub. Immediately prior to joining Chevron in 2014, Ms. Murrin served as vice president for corporate communications and grant programs with Carnegie Learning / Apollo Education Group.
“My career path and my love of the arts have been shaped by Western Pennsylvania’s natural resources; our proud, resilient economy; and our spirit of artistry and innovation,” Ms. Murrin shared.
Throughout her career, Mary Murrin has been a strong advocate for nonprofits. While in Pittsburgh, she was Board President of Quantum Theatre, where she currently serves on the emeritus board. She is also on the board of the National Girls Collaborative Project based in Seattle. Prior board roles include the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Remake Learning, and The Mentoring Partnership of SWPA, as well as several Houston, Texas-based nonprofits.
Ms. Murrin credits early arts and cultural experiences growing up in Pittsburgh with inspiring artistic curiosity, including grade-school attendance at the Tam O’Shanter art classes at Carnegie Music Hall and the All City Choir at Schenley High School. At Taylor Allderdice High School, she served as the editor-in-chief of the Allderdice Foreword newspaper, which launched her storytelling career. She is a graduate of Brown University.
“Mary follows in the footsteps of August R. Carlino, whose visionary leadership transformed Rivers of Steel into a cornerstone of cultural preservation and economic development both nationally and internationally,” Dick Wallace continued. “We are grateful for Augie’s remarkable contributions and are excited for Mary to continue building on this legacy while charting new paths forward. The board and I are confident that her dynamic leadership will inspire innovative programs and deepen Rivers of Steel’s impact across southwestern Pennsylvania.”
August R. Carlino’s tenure allows for overlap with Ms. Murrin’s start date to provide for a smooth transition. In 1990, Carlino was hired to lead the coalition that would later become Rivers of Steel, a Homestead-based nonprofit whose transformative work can be seen throughout communities in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Rivers of Steel has been a pioneer in industrial preservation and heritage tourism, altering perspectives on how postindustrial communities can revitalize and thrive with creative approaches to economic revitalization. By blending historic preservation and cultural conservation efforts with economic development initiatives, Rivers of Steel champions collaboration throughout the eight-county Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area. It stewards four historic attractions—including three National Historic Landmarks—and works with communities by leveraging its assets to support heritage tourism, creative placemaking, outdoor recreation, and partnerships.
Rivers of Steel’s efforts have contributed to many projects in the revitalization of Pittsburgh, now a city frequently lauded for its “most livable” status, nationally recognized trails, riverfront revitalization, and ability to adapt while still embracing its steel legacy. Rivers of Steel’s efforts focus on all of southwestern Pennsylvania, including the smaller steel and coal communities that were integral to the larger steel operations in and just outside of Pittsburgh. While many communities in the Monongahela River Valley and beyond still struggle to rebound after the collapse of Big Steel, Rivers of Steel is committed to supporting these places.
About Rivers of Steel
Founded on the principles of heritage development, community partnership, and a reverence for the region’s natural and shared resources, Rivers of Steel strengthens the economic and cultural fabric of western Pennsylvania by fostering dynamic initiatives and transformative experiences.
Through its attractions, programs, and partnerships, Rivers of Steel champions the region’s industrial and cultural heritage to support economic revitalization throughout the eight counties of the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area by working to deepen community partnerships, promote heritage tourism, and preserve local recreational and cultural resources for future generations.
Contact August Carlino at 412.999.3678 or arcarlino@riversofsteel.com.
Rivers of Steel | The Bost Building, 623 East Eighth Avenue, Homestead, PA 15120
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