Penn College Workforce Development Center

Pittsburgh Gateways has partnered with Penn College to co-develop a workforce development hub, training lab, and community engagement space in Homewood, which opened in early 2025.

Karen Benner serves as Director of Building Performance Programs leading the partnership with Penn College, and promoting workforce development and training, contractor growth and apprenticeships, and community outreach and awareness. The mission of the Pittsburgh Workforce Development Center is to teach how to reduce energy consumption in homes and communities, while also improving comfort and safety. Programs focus on building performance training, providing in-demand skills and certifications for both residential renovations and new home construction careers.

Karen has been working in the residential construction industry for over 25-years, earned professional accreditations in sustainability in 2009, and was named National Assocation of Home Builders’ Best-In-Green Young Professional of the Year in 2015. Prior to joining Pittsburgh Gateways, she spent 5-years as an independent consultant, helping contractors improve profit margins and reduce risk through better project management tools and operational efficiency.

“I am thrilled to have joined Pittsburgh Gateways in this new role, and for the opportunity to collaborate with all regional partners working at the intersection of energy efficient & healthy housing, affordable home ownership and environmental justice. The Penn College team has been fantastic to work with, and we look forward to a successful partnership maximizing our impact for current and future generations of our residents.”

For the full story, read the press release from Penn College here. For more information, or to get involved, contact Karen here.

KAREN BENNER

Director of Building Performance Programs

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KAREN BENNER

Director of Building Performance Programs

Karen fell in love with the idea of designing and building homes through a sixth-grade assignment. After earning degrees in engineering and construction management, she held a variety of roles in the production homebuilding industry for 20-years, contributing to the development of over 3,000 homes in six states. Early in her career, she recognized the significant impact the built environment has on our planet and our society. She holds several professional accreditations in sustainability and continues to educate herself on the intersection of housing, sustainability, health and environmental justice.

Prior to joining Pittsburgh Gateways, she spent 5-years as an independent consultant, helping contractors improve profit margins and reduce risk through better project management tools, collaboration, and operational efficiency.

As the Director of Building Performance Programs, Karen promotes workforce development & training, contractor growth & apprenticeships, and community outreach and awareness. She believes everyone deserves to live in a better built home & community, and loves to collaborate with and support others who feel the same way.

Karen is a Pennsylvania native with family roots in the apple orchard industry in Adams County. She resides in the Northside of Pittsburgh with her husband Billy.