Neighborhood Allies is pleased to share that Violet Graham has been appointed to Chief Financial Officer (CFO)! Violet joined Neighborhood Allies in 2021 as Controller during a period of rapid growth and organizational change.
In 2024, Violet was promoted to Vice President of Finance and has been a steady, strategic leader helping to guide the organization through continued transition. This appointment reflects the scope of her leadership and the critical role she has played in strengthening our financial foundation.
Over the past year, Violet successfully led several high-stakes financial transitions, including managing the organization’s complex transition from The Pittsburgh Foundation. She ensured continuity in payroll, compliance, and operations under tight timelines, providing stability at a pivotal moment for the organization.
Violet also strengthened Neighborhood Allies’ long-term financial position by leading the endowment RFP process and onboarding a new investment advisory firm. She approached this work with rigor and transparency, supporting strong governance and informed decision-making.
“Violet has significantly elevated our organization’s financial professionalism, accountability, and strategic discipline. Her steady leadership through complex transitions has strengthened our stability and sharpened our long‑term financial strategy. Just as importantly, she has enhanced our credibility with funders, institutional partners, and stakeholders by leading with transparency and rigor. We are stronger because of her leadership, and I’m proud to welcome her into the role of Chief Financial Officer.”
-Presley Gillespie, President and CEO
Just as important, Violet has elevated how finance functions across the organization. She has built trust and alignment by helping teams understand financial impacts, connecting program decisions to sustainability, and making financial strategy a shared responsibility rather than a back-office function.
As Chief Financial Officer, Violet will lead Neighborhood Allies’ financial strategy and stewardship as we advance our mission in 2026 and beyond. We are grateful for her leadership and excited for what’s ahead.
