Hope from Home

Kevin Acklin

Kevin Acklin is in his sixth season with the Penguins, and second as President of Business Operations. He oversees all business operations of the club and its affiliates.

Kevin previously served as Chief of Staff to former Mayor William Peduto, managing all daily operations of the City of Pittsburgh.

Kevin graduated from Central Catholic High School, earned his undergraduate degree in Government from Harvard University and his law degree from Georgetown University.

Beginning his law career at Ropes & Gray LLP in Boston, Kevin returned home and was most recently a partner in the law firm Saul Ewing LLP. He specialized in mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital transactions. Kevin also represented pro bono clients, focusing on community groups and victims of domestic violence.

Father Christopher D. Donley

Father Christopher D. Donley is from Pittsburgh’s Point Breeze neighborhood. He attended St. Bede School and Central Catholic High School. He graduated from Duquesne University where he studied History and Theology. Fr. Chris entered St. Paul Seminary to study for the Diocese of Pittsburgh. He attended university in Rome, attaining a Sacred License in Dogmatic Theology. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2011.  

Today, Fr. Chris is the pastor of Divine Mercy Parish; where he leads several ministries, including the Red Door ministry to the poor.

Fr. Chris also founded Move a Mountain Missions, which runs Brother Andres Café, and Gift of Mary Women’s Shelter, a women’s mission program addressing domestic abuse. He is the chaplain to Central Catholic High School, Point Park University and Catholic Charities.  

Duquesne Light

For more than 100 years, Duquesne Light Company (DLC) has provided safe and reliable electric service in southwestern Pennsylvania. Today, their core values of safety, integrity, dependability, equity and community enable them to serve more than 600,000 customers in two counties, including the city of Pittsburgh. Moreover, DLC continually invests in initiatives that directly support their customers. 

Their distinct charitable giving, volunteerism, customer assistance and energy efficiency efforts help accomplish these goals. In 2023, they donated nearly $2 million to 464 organizations, and their employees volunteered more than 4,300 hours in the community.

Additionally, they focus on reaching customers who most need support by connecting them to various customer assistance and energy efficiency programs to make their electric bills more manageable.  
 

Chris & Molly McMahon

Chris McMahon is the President of Aquinas Wealth Advisors, a national Catholic values investment firm. He has been named an outstanding CEO by the Pittsburgh Business Times and has been featured as an expert in national media. He serves as the Vice Chair of the Legatus International Board of Directors as well as the Duquesne University Board of Trustees. 

Chris has been married to Molly for 34 years. She serves in many leadership capacities, including the boards of Franciscan University and Sisters of Mary. Together, they serve on the board of Gift of Mary.  

In 2017, they founded Mary’s Place, a home for expectant mothers, which has served more than 60 moms and their babies, providing a safe place to live, worship and acquire life skills.  

Outreach Ministry, Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish; Denise Boring, Jim Carlucci, & Tom Donohue

Regardless of need or status, parishioners and non-parishioners alike find inspiration, comfort and resolution from the Outreach Ministry team at Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish. Led by Denise Boring, staff Coordinator of Outreach Ministry, Jim Carlucci, President of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society for the parish, and Tom Donohue, Director of the Saint Joseph's Workers Ministry, this small group is responsible  for the physical, emotional and spiritual care of those who request help within the parish.  

Together, they advocate and offer practical service to those who are most vulnerable and often overlooked, such as immigrants, the elderly and those who are without homes. They oversee communion to the homebound and residents in care facilities, provide utility to assistance to those with limited resources and facilitate a bereavement support group. They also ensure those who need handyman assistance have it.

Neil Walker

Neil Walker is a former Major League Baseball player born and raised in Pittsburgh. He attended Pine-Richland High School where he played baseball, basketball, and football before being drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first round of the 2004 MLB draft. 

Neil played for the Pirates, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, Miami Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies during his 12-year major league career. He won the 2014 Silver Slugger Award and finished his career with 149 home runs and 609 runs batted in.

Today, Neil is a radio and television presenter for the Pirates.  
His commitment to enriching lives through sports, mentorship, and faith is evident in the many organizations he serves, including: Inspired Hearts and Hands, Lending Hearts, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Urban Impact and Christian Sports International.