Our Team

sarah@neighborhoodallies.org
412-471-3727 x212

Sarah Dieleman Perry is the VP of Economic Mobility at Neighborhood Allies. Sarah created the Economic Opportunity focus area in 2014 in response to local and national racial and gender wealth gap data. These initiatives position families to access the resources and support they need to achieve long-term, sustained financial well-being and build generational wealth.

Under Sarah’s leadership and with the support of Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, Pittsburgh launched a Financial Empowerment Center initiative, which since 2019 has provided free, one-on-one financial counseling sessions to over 3,000 residents of Allegheny County. Sarah oversees the county-wide children’s savings program, Fund My Future PGH, which provides reminders, support, and incentives to 6,000 families to save for their children in long-term savings accounts. Sarah launched the Bank On Allegheny County Coalition, working with 13 financial institutions to certify and promote checking accounts that meet the national standards. And in 2022, Sarah created Money Talks, a program that builds confidence and knowledge of underrepresented communities to invest in the stock market.

Sarah’s convening role at Neighborhood Allies has included the creation and oversight of the Asset Building Network, Bank On Allegheny County Coalition, and the Alliance for Access and Assets in partnership with the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania and the National Disability Institute. Each of these networks includes representatives from local social service agencies, financial institutions, government entities, and regulators.

Sarah is nationally recognized for her expertise in financial empowerment and wealth building. She was appointed in 2023 by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to the Community Advisory Board. She served as a Community Champion and on the Financial Security Network for Prosperity Now. Within PA, she participates in the Keystone Bank On Coalition managed by Pennsylvania Bankers Association and is a board member of Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation. Locally, she is on the advisory board of the Thelma Lovette YMCA.

Sarah graduated from Calvin University with degrees in English and Philosophy, and she holds a Master’s degree in Economic and Social Development and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.

Media Publications and Contributions:

• ABLE Today: May, 2024 | ABLE today is part of the National Association of State Treasurers Foundation and aims to advance financial empowerment for people with disabilities by increasing the awareness of ABLE accounts. Read to learn how Sarah and Neighborhood Allies as a whole has helped spread awareness for ABLE accounts!
• Shelterforce: February, 2023 | Sarah contributed to an article published by Shelterforce, acknowledging the importance and role bank’s play in supporting and investing in community-serving organizations like Neighborhood Allies and the people living in LMI communities.
• Neighborhood Allies Blog: January, 2023 | A spotlight on our Money Talks Program and the impact it is having on local Black women.