The 2025 Illuminate Awards
Presented by the David Glick Memorial Fund.
The Illuminate Awards recognize leaders who have made a difference in advancing global mindedness and connection in the Pittsburgh region.
We are excited to honor four outstanding local leaders in our fourth annual Illuminate Awards.
Meet the winners:
Hilda Pang Fu | Community Leader
Hilda is a social entrepreneur, porcelain painter, and advocate for gender equity who speaks three languages. She is founder and president of Luminari, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit created to broaden minds and promote community engagement through unique and inspirational summer program for teenagers. She launched and directed the Pittsburgh Regional Champions program at the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, which empowered professionals and volunteers to promote the region while traveling to attract workforce and generate business leads for local economic developers. During her time there, she grew the volunteer corps from 25 people to more than 800.
Before founding Luminari, Hilda served as director of External Relations at the University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences, one of the largest academic medical centers in the nation. She was also Executive Director of Summer Programs at Point Park University where she developed and managed dozens of summer programs for teenagers and area teachers, including the Downtown Vibrancy Project that involved students from all school districts in Allegheny County.
Hilda has served on the board of Allegheny Regional Assets District (RAD) as well as on many nonprofit boards across a variety of sectors, including the newly launched Pittsburgh Walk of Fame, Pittsburgh Opera, Saturday Light Brigade, WQED-Multimedia, The Shady Lane School, The Ellis School and Allegheny East Mental Health/Mental Retardation Center. Notably, she was a founding board member and former chair of the Women and Girls Foundation of Southwest Pennsylvania. She has been recognized for her excellence in service as a Dignity & Respect Campaign Champion (2011), The Pearl of Excellence Award (2007) from the Girls Scouts Trillium Council, Woman of Achievement-Gender Equity (2006), Legacy Laureate (2004) from the University of Pittsburgh and Small Business News Magazine’s Pacesetter Award (2001)
Hilda received her B.A. from the University of Hong Kong, Certificate of General Studies from Mount Holyoke College, Master of Library Science from the University of Pittsburgh, and Master of Public Management from Carnegie Mellon University.
Learn more about Hilda Pang Fu.
Nandana Menon | Youth
Nandana is a high school senior at South Fayette Township High School and the founder of the Autism Unity Initiative. Nandana is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children diagnosed with autism, as well as their parents and therapists, Nandana has curated a nonprofit that goes beyond conventional support. Driven by a vision of inclusivity and empowerment, she has meticulously crafted a platform that offers comprehensive resources and engaging activities tailored for autistic children.
Beyond her advocacy, Nandana has participated in several nationally recognized programs. In 2024, she was selected for the LAUNCH program at GCI, the Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World, completed the Bank of America Student Leaders Program as well as an eight-week, full-time, paid internship with the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium.
As a winner of the 2024 CGI IT Girl Challenge, with the support of a classmate, they were awarded a $20,000 scholarship. Their project, TABU, is an innovative app designed to assist individuals struggling with substance abuse addiction.
At South Fayette High School, Nandana serves as president of the National Honor Society (NHS), the student representative on the School Board, and a facilitator for the Superintendent’s Leadership Advisory Committee.
Nisha Blackwell | Business Leader
Nisha is a creative entrepreneur, artist, and the lead designer at Knotzland Bowties—an innovative sustainable accessory brand committed to environmental and social sustainability. Over the past nine years, Nisha has built frameworks for sourcing, rescuing, designing and repurposing textiles into new wares and other goods. Nisha’s lifelong participation in sustainability and her commitment to circular and intentional community-building weave passion into every aspect of her work in Knotzland and beyond.
Since its inception in 2015, Nisha’s intentional navigation through creative hubs, accelerators, business incubators, and programs, both locally and internationally, has resulted in a thriving community of investors, mentors, and loyal patrons whose support has enabled her to shape a business that has to date successfully diverted over 8,000 lbs of textiles and materials away from landfills and into new products while also delivering some of the most distinctive and one-of-a-kind wearables to a global clientele.
Nisha Blackwell’s dedication to her community over the years shines through her involvement on boards, community service, and consulting experiences with AmeriCorps, Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse, ORIGINS, The Andy Warhol Museum, New Sun Rising, Radiant Hall, The Mountain Association, and more.
Nisha’s work has been shown as part of exhibitions and sold in gallery spaces including, the Heinz History Center (A Woman’s Place 2024), MuseumLab (How You Wear it 2022), Carnegie Museum (Locally Sourced 2021), Frick Museum (Maker & Muse 2020), Westmoreland Museum of Art, Contemporary Craft, and selected by the Smithsonian Women’s Committee showcase at Craft Optimism, a virtual craft show.
Nisha holds a Bachelor’s degree from PennWest Edinboro and is a graduate of the Advanced Leadership Institute at Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business.
“I grew up in a world where there weren’t many connections outside of our family, neighbors, schools and neighborhood. Experiencing this has inspired me to prioritize connecting and learning as much in order to build community with people that I wouldn’t normally cross paths with. This award gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling that I’m on the right path and in good company.”
Dr. Kara Eckert | Educator
Dr. Kara Eckert is the Deputy Superintendent of Instruction and Learning at Baldwin-Whitehall School District, where she oversees K–12 instruction and fosters community partnerships through the district’s innovative E.M.B.R.A.C.E. program (Engage Members, Bridge Relationships, And Create Enriching Experiences).
With over 26 years of experience across multiple districts, Dr. Eckert has held roles as a teacher, principal, instructional coach, and Director of Instructional Learning. She holds multiple certifications, including Elementary Teacher (K–8), Special Education Teacher (K–21), Supervisor of Curriculum & Instruction, Principal (K–12), and a Superintendent Letter of Eligibility. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Duquesne University and completed her doctorate and Superintendent Letter of Eligibility at California University of Pennsylvania.
“Receiving this recognition is truly an honor and a reflection of the dedication and passion I try to bring to leading in the education field every day. It reaffirms the importance of fostering meaningful learning experiences, supporting students in their growth, and collaborating with colleagues to create an inclusive and engaging environment. This important work is not done in isolation, so I share this award with my district team of teachers and administrators that inspire me every day and to our incredible students who are so eager to learn and grow.”
Learn more about Dr. Kara Eckert.