PITTSBURGH SEMINARY MOURNS THE LOSS OF FORMER BOARD CHAIR SANDY LAMB
Pittsburgh Seminary remembers with gratitude Sandra (Sandy) Lamb, former chair of the Seminary’s Board of Directors, who passed away Nov. 18, 2024. Lamb began her time of service on the Board in 1995 and was re-elected to serve several additional terms from 2006 to 2018. She also served as the Board’s vice chair, as chair of the Seminary’s finance committee, and as chair of the search committee which identified David Esterline as the Seminary’s sixth president. In her final term, Sandy served as Board chair (2015-2018), and in the year of her retirement, she was recommended for election as an emerita director, a status which was granted in recognition of her exceptional service.
Sandy Lamb was an excellent leader of the Pittsburgh Seminary Board—collegial, thoughtful, attentive to details yet always with a perceptive understanding of the big picture, and supportive,” said the Rev. Dr. David Esterline, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary president emeritus and professor emeritus of cross-cultural theological education. “She was a genuine colleague in leadership, and a friend.”
Both at PTS and beyond, Sandy gave herself extensively to work she believed in. A businesswoman and nonprofit executive with decades of experience addressing financially complex and critical strategic issues, Sandy served on several nonprofit and for-profit boards, including ORC Worldwide, Biomet Inc., The Fortress Group Inc., Center Trust Inc., the Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York, Vera Institute of Justice, and the Taproot Foundation. As a sample of her extensive work: at the New York Women’s Foundation, where she served as chair and, later, interim executive director, Sandy completely revised the five-year strategic plan, instituted a conflict of interests policy, created a written board nominating committee process, and exceeded prior fundraising records in support of programs that assist low-income women and girls in need of critical services and economic independence and educate donors about the power of responsible philanthropy, inspiring a network of thousands of women to work together in fundraising and advocating. She also served as chair of the $36 million Crossroads Capital Campaign for the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. In addition to her direct participation in these organizations, Sandy shared her expertise with others as president and CEO of Lamb Advisors LLC, providing strategic advice to boards and staff of nonprofit organizations. Sandy held an MBA in finance from New York University and a BA in political science from Duke University.
“The depth to which Sandy gave herself to the work of nurturing community thriving is rare and inspiring,” said the Rev. Dr. Asa Lee, Pittsburgh Seminary president and professor of theological formation for ministry. “Not only does her work live on, but those of us who carry her memory find ourselves propelled forward in our own ministries by the example she set. May those of us still working find hope and renewal in this incredible woman’s story.”