Barbara Grandinetti spearheads The Challenge Program, Inc.’s outreach, fundraising, and talent recruitment. Grandinetti opens doors to opportunities and develops lasting relationships with businesses, educators, foundations, and individual donors with a passionate mindset to spread the word about the program. She taps into her employees’ special talents to grow and expand the program.

Grandinetti was integral in creating The Challenge Program, Inc.’s now-signature fundraising event – The Crystal Owl Gala held each spring. She helps businesses supporting high schools apply for Educational Improvement Tax Credits in Pennsylvania. Through her efforts, The Challenge Program, Inc. obtained their Non-Profit Organization 50l(c)(3) status of the Internal Revenue Code with contributions to the program being deductible under Section 170 of the Code.

Grandinetti was Vice President of Real Estate with Crown American Real Estate Trust. In 1999, she was recognized by Shopping Center Business Magazine as one of the top women executives in the shopping mall industry.

In 2003, Crown American was purchased by PREIT, a real estate investment trust in Philadelphia, PA. PREIT acquired 26 retail assets from the Johnstown-based company. Grandinetti was asked by PREIT to head up the transition team. She accepted and was named Vice President of Special Projects. As the transition began to wind down in the spring of 2004, Grandinetti made her next great career move, joining Dan Perkins in creating The Challenge Program, Inc.

Grandinetti’s business acumen from her time as Vice President at Crown American and PREIT is why she has been able to lead The Challenge Program, Inc. from a small, local program to one that consistently serves over 100 high schools in three states. Grandinetti is passionate about giving back to communities, through The Challenge Program, Inc. She is often heard saying to students, “You can’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands.” Equal to her sense of community and business acumen, is her determination to see students firmly rooted in good habits required for success.

A Johnstown, PA native, Grandinetti attended Mount Aloysius College and Cambria Rowe Business School.