OUR TEAM
Community Growth Fund (CGF) is dedicated to serving the needs of our clients. Our team has the requisite expertise and experience to help our clients succeed. We work daily to make our region a better place to live for everyone.
Walter Burlack
Executive Director
Wally is the Executive Director of the Community Growth Fund (CGF), a US Treasury Certified Community Development Financial Institution and has managed projects and organizations in the chemical, energy, manufacturing, mining, environmental, community development, and non-profit sectors. He has a demonstrated talent for synthesizing complex project components with diverse participants by leveraging partnerships across industry sectors. In his current role, Wally utilizes his expertise to connect financial, technical, private, and public resources in support of CGF’s mission to connect disadvantage people and organizations with equitable capital and resources.
Wally holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Public Management from Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon University. He is the Chair of the Board of Trustees of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden and serves on the boards of The Pennsylvania Resources Council, Construction Junction, Peoples Oakland, Friends of the Forest Preserves (Chicago), and Venture Outdoors.
Jordan Murray
Portfolio Administrator
Jordan Murray brings years of experience aiding those in the Washington and Pittsburgh communities. In her current role, she works closely on both the Ways to Work program and the Small Business Loan Fund — and aims to provide accessibility for financing opportunities.
Utilizing both her experience at the Washington Citywide Development Corporation, her studies at West Virginia University, and her Economic Development Professional Certification from Grow America, Murray strives to aid in CGF’s goals for more sustainable economic growth of communities across the Southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia regions.
Israel Faulk
Program Coordinator
Israel Faulk joined CGF in September of 2023 to serve as a program coordinator with its Ways to Work program. In her role, Faulk assists members with vehicle loans as well as provides financial literacy and budgeting to promote financial well-being and understanding.
She has a background in banking within a neighborhood community and nonprofit experience and working to bridge relationships between neighborhood residents and local Pittsburgh organizations from her time at Manchester Citizens Corporation. She has an associate’s degree from the Community College of Allegheny County.
Andrew Graham
Community Engagement and Communications VISTA Intern
Andrew joined CGF in December 2024 as a Community Engagement and Communications Americorps VISTA. He is responsible for community outreach on CGF’s social media pages, as well as communicating the impact and effectiveness of CGF’s programs through data analysis.
A recent graduate from Penn State University, Andrew brings research experience and technical knowledge to help expand the Community Growth Fund’s reach and impact. Growing up in Pittsburgh, he also brings familiarity with the city and a drive to engage with the community.