PAM SURANO
Evans City,United States
Summary
Compassionate, hardworking community-oriented journalist. Experienced in TV reporting and anchoring, social services and fostering contacts and relationships as well as gathering information and working as a team to present news with integrity and high ethical standards. Versed at working with diverse people from all backgrounds and needs. Seeking a full-time position to combine a desire to make a difference with a love of journalism.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Writer/Assignment Editor/Producer
Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
01.2022 - Current
- Writer for The Pittsburgh Catholic Magazine
- Liaison to Catholic Schools coordinating Good News in our Schools Publication
- Producer for Catholic Education Plus Radio airing on KDKA Radio
- Assignment Editor for communications projects
Freelance TV Reporter
KDKA TV
Pittsburgh, United States
01.2018 - 01.2022
- Company Overview: Pittsburgh, PA
- TV reporting
- Multimedia reporting
- News writing
- Research and fact checking
- Teamwork
- Hard Working
- Public Speaking
- Live reporting to include breaking news, weather coverage and updating ongoing stories of significance
- Working contacts, enterprising stories and presenting story ideas as per sources/ connections with social service groups, community and law enforcement partner groups
- Pittsburgh, PA
Case Manager
Operation Safety Net, Mercy Behavioral Health
Pittsburgh, United States
01.2018 - 12.2018
- Company Overview: Pittsburgh, PA
- Outreach Specialist assisting those experiencing chronic and temporary homelessness
- Working in collaboration with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services and HUD to place individuals with barriers to housing, enabling them to receive permanent housing as well as emergency shelter when needed and services to support them in crisis
- Worked with the street team and medical team providing intervention supports including mental, emotional, medical, addiction and other recovery services
- Conducted home visits and visits to homeless camps to evaluate needs not being addressed to ensure the safety, health and well-being of consumers were met
- Provided documentation to HUD, ACHS, SOAR and SS Departments
- Worked as a support specialist in the women and mens emergency shelters aiding at times with crisis management and working with the Allegheny County Police to intervene and prevent those struggling from re-entering the criminal justice system
- When needed, provided advocacy and support for those who were re-entering the criminal justice system as well as those exiting the system by working with the Allegheny County jail and the Re-Entry Program
- Pittsburgh, PA
Community Engagement Manager
Amachi Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States
01.2017 - 12.2018
- Company Overview: 100 W
- Station Square Drive # 620 Pittsburgh, PA 15219
- Develop and implement outreach plan for Amachi Pittsburgh that included promotional and educational strategies as well as partner volunteer and family recruitment goals
- Gleaned mentors for children and families by way of individuals, corporations, service and social groups as well as churches, to partner with Amachi
- Developed educational materials and presentations communicating the identified needs of the agency and constituents
- Created flyers, press releases, brochures, and other outreach materials
- Developed and implemented outreach and marketing activities and special events
- Managed and updated social media accounts and website
- Served as a spokesperson for the organization in the community
- 100 W
- Station Square Drive # 620 Pittsburgh, PA 15219
- Volunteer experience in community engagement also included work with: Miss Nancy's Homeless Outreach, Reading Is Fundamental, Beverly's Birthdays, mentoring students through Gwen's Girls, Bible Camp teacher at Northway Christian Community Church and St
- Alexis Catholic School
- Former lector at St
- Mary's Church in Delmont, PA, lector at St
- Alexis Parish in Wexford
- Speaker for Easter Seals, YWCA of the Mahoning Valley, breast cancer spokesperson for WYTV and partner hospital
Program Coordinator, Team Hope Allegheny County
Catholic Charities
Pittsburgh, United States
01.2015 - 12.2016
- Company Overview: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
- Oversaw the Severe Weather Homeless Warming Station while also working with Operation Safety Net, The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, St
- Mary of Mercy, businesses, volunteers, donors and groups to run daytime shelter of 70+ at-risk community members
- Supervise the Summer Enrichment and Lunch Program for children by coordinating with The Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank and nonprofits throughout Allegheny County to provide daily activities for children
- Coordinate and administer the Loving Hearts Holiday present program for children with a dozen parishes distributing 1,500+ gifts to children
- Manage the Hearts to Soles shoe program working with outside donors to provide hundreds of shoes to those in need
- Ran the Love Walk for the Poor with hundreds throughout Pittsburgh collecting donations for the hungry
- Acted as Outreach Specialist in the community with businesses and outside partner agencies, supported case Managers and intake specialists in the Susan Zubik Welcome Center
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Preschool Teacher
St. Alexis Catholic School
Wexford, United States
01.2013 - 12.2015
- Company Overview: Wexford, Pennsylvania, United States
- Led vibrant class of young children using experience with child development and creative methods to inspire and motivate learning
- Worked closely with families, support agencies and school incorporating the needs of each child, curriculum, and goals
- Addressed behavioral and learning issues with parents, encouraged good behaviors
- Maintained detailed records, including child files on enrollments, attendance, health and safety, emergency contact information and incident reports
- Wexford, Pennsylvania, United States
Freelance TV Reporter
The Videohouse
Pittsburgh
01.2011 - 12.2012
- Company Overview: Pittsburgh
- Assisted with producing, writing, and researching corporate videos for clients: Giant Eagle, Newell Rubbermaid and large regional homebuilder
- Reporter/Producer for news and events for topical organizations such as: ET, America's Most Wanted, BBC as well as Heinz History Center
- Pittsburgh
Reporter/Fill-In Anchor
KQV Radio
Pittsburgh, United States
01.2010 - 12.2012
- Company Overview: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
- Report daily news, live coverage of breaking news, enterprise stories, fill-in anchoring
- Write and voice local commercials
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
News Anchor/Reporter
WYTV-TV
Youngstown, United States
01.1998 - 12.2001
- Company Overview: Youngstown, Ohio
- Hired to anchor/report 11PM nightly news
- Promoted to anchor/report 5, 6 & 11PM nightly news
- Anchor live specials in news, health, sports, community, breast cancer series
- Youngstown, Ohio
News Anchor/Reporter
WTOV-TV
Steubenville, United States
01.1996 - 12.1998
- Company Overview: Steubenville, Ohio, United States
- Hired to anchor/report 11PM nightly news
- Promoted to AM anchor
- Live reporter on breaking news
- Steubenville, Ohio, United States
Reporter
JET24 / FOX66 / YourErie.com
Erie, United States
01.1994 - 12.1996
- Company Overview: Erie, Pennsylvania, United States
- Write and report multiple news stories daily
- Live coverage of breaking news
- Erie, Pennsylvania, United States
Assignment Editor/Writer
WPXI-TV
Pittsburgh, United States
01.1992 - 01.1993
- Company Overview: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
- Maintained contacts with law enforcement, local newsmakers, community members and agencies
- Confirm details, sources and schedule interviews
- Assisted news producers, reporters, writers, photographers
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA01.1993
Skills
Relationship building
Writing
Research
TV reporting
Anchoring
Presentation
Content Creation
Team collaboration
Public speaking
Project development
Certification
Mental Health First Responder
Accomplishments
- Youngstown Area Hospital Spokesperson on breast cancer
Director, Miracles for Mary
Organized community and organizational fundraising and awareness efforts to support mobility equipment, rehabilitation services and accessibility initiatives in our community.
Timeline
Writer/Assignment Editor/Producer
Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
01.2022 - Current
Freelance TV Reporter
KDKA TV
01.2018 - 01.2022
Case Manager
Operation Safety Net, Mercy Behavioral Health
01.2018 - 12.2018
Community Engagement Manager
Amachi Pittsburgh
01.2017 - 12.2018
Program Coordinator, Team Hope Allegheny County
Catholic Charities
01.2015 - 12.2016
Preschool Teacher
St. Alexis Catholic School
01.2013 - 12.2015
Freelance TV Reporter
The Videohouse
01.2011 - 12.2012
Reporter/Fill-In Anchor
KQV Radio
01.2010 - 12.2012
News Anchor/Reporter
WYTV-TV
01.1998 - 12.2001
News Anchor/Reporter
WTOV-TV
01.1996 - 12.1998
Reporter
JET24 / FOX66 / YourErie.com
01.1994 - 12.1996
Assignment Editor/Writer
WPXI-TV
01.1992 - 01.1993
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
Duquesne University