
Allentown, Pa., March 13, 2025—Mariska van Aalst joined the staff of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation in March 2025 as Program Officer, Community Impact & Policy. Her primary responsibilities include supporting and developing the Foundation’s expanded role in government relations and advocacy work as well as managing arts programming.
Prior to joining the foundation, Mariska served as Lehigh Valley Regional Manager for U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Jr. and Deputy District Director for U.S. Congresswoman Susan Wild. Before her roles in government, Mariska was a professional writer and editor. She spent 10 years as a magazine and book editor at Rodale, Inc., then became a nonfiction book collaborator and co-wrote eight New York Times and Washington Post bestsellers. Her work is published in over 30 languages.
Mariska is a member of the inaugural cohort of the CORE Fellowship, the Executive Team of Resilient Lehigh Valley, and Muhlenberg Board of Associates. She was a founding board member of Seven Generations Charter School in Emmaus.
Originally from New Jersey, Mariska has lived in the Lehigh Valley since 1998. She received a BA in English from Schreyer Honors College at Penn State.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mariska to the Community Foundation team. Her deep understanding of government relations, policy, and community engagement—combined with her extensive experience in writing and communications—makes her an incredible asset to our organization,” said Erika Riddle Petrozelli, CPA, CAP®, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “As we expand our role in advocacy, Mariska’s expertise will be instrumental in strengthening our impact across the region. We look forward to the meaningful contributions she will bring to our work and to the communities we serve.”
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