Howard Hanna chairman announced as new board chair of Heinz History Center

Howard W. “Hoddy” Hanna III, chairman of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, was unanimously approved recently as the new chair of the Senator John Heinz History Center’s board of trustees.

Hanna III of Fox Chapel will succeed Diane P. Holder, president and CEO at UPMC Health Plan, and executive vice president at UPMC. Holder has served as chair of the Heinz History Center since 2016.

“The Heinz History Center is one of the great cultural assets in our region,” Hanna said. “I am honored to have the opportunity to chair the board of this remarkable jewel of the community.”

Hanna, whose business is the largest family-owned real estate company in the United States, will be the 53rd regional leader on the history center’s board.

“’Hoddy’ is universally respected as a community leader. He loves Pittsburgh and is a terrific ambassador. ‘Hoddy’ also brings a lifetime of knowledge of the people, organizations and resources that can help the History Center fulfill its educational mission while reflecting regional pride,” said Andy Masich, president and CEO of the Heinz History Center.

Hanna joined the history center’s board of trustees in 2018. Since then, he has contributed in many ways to the its success.

“Since coming on board, he has demonstrated his leadership as a donor, matchmaker and creative thinker,” Masich said. “We will soon announce that ‘Hoddy’ and Howard Hanna Real Estate Services will make it possible for kids to come to the history center for free during the month of November to see our latest exhibition, Smithsonian’s Portraits of Pittsburgh, and enjoy the Very Merry Pittsburgh holiday experience in our first floor Great Hall.”

After attaining his real estate license at 18 years old and following in his father’s footsteps, Hanna began his real estate career as a weekend sales associate for Howard Hanna while he attended college in Cleveland, Ohio, at John Carroll University.

Under his guidance, Howard Hanna expanded and diversified. He became an important influence in the real estate community and an industry leader.

He also chairs the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Board of Trustees. In addition, he is a member of the hospital’s foundation board as well as boards of RBS Citizen’s Financial Group, John Carroll University, LaRoche College, the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business Board of Visitors, the Diocese of Pittsburgh Finance Council and the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh.

Hanna and the History Center’s board of trustees’ initial focuses are on securing the organization’s long-term financial stability, expanding the museum’s digital capabilities to reach broader audiences and acting on the museum’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.

“Hoddy’s experience, enthusiasm and business acumen will be tremendous assets to our family of museums, especially as we navigate through the pandemic,” Masich said. “Under his leadership, we’ll remain committed to preserving and interpreting Western Pennsylvania history to better understand the present and make plans for the future.”