Helping Small Business Succeed
It’s at the core of what we do.
About the Mansmann Foundation
The primary mission of the Mansmann Foundation is to support entrepreneurs and small business owners who live and work in underserved or marginalized communities. To that end, the Mansmann Foundation creates financially accessible programs for small business owners to overcome business challenges and build the skills they need to run successful businesses. The flagship program of the Mansmann Foundation is Entrepreneurs Forever, or eforever, a peer-to-peer program that has, to date, served over 300 entrepreneurs in more than 25 peer-to-peer groups. Entrepreneurs Forever is now operating in a variety of communities in the Pittsburgh, PA and Boston, MA regions. Click here to visit the eforever website and for more information about the peer-to-peer program.
Mission, Vision and Values
Mission
Entrepreneurs Forever is dedicated to equalizing economic opportunity by connecting small business owners and entrepreneurs with the people and skills they need to succeed.
Our Values
We believe in you.
We believe you thrive in community.
We believe learning inspires confidence and success.
We believe trust is imperative.
We believe in significant, measurable impact.
Vision
Our vision is to be a nationally recognized organization serving more than 1,000 funded members who are progressing towards their business goals.
Our History
The Mansmann Foundation was founded in 2014 by successful Pittsburgh, PA entrepreneur and business leader, Joe Calihan.
Born into a long line of entrepreneurs, Mr Calihan’s grandfather, Albert J. Mansmann, founded Mansmann’s Department Store in the East Liberty section of Pittsburgh in 1888. Along with his wife Agnes, acting as vice president and trusted financial advisor, the Mansmanns found much success in East Liberty, which was second only to downtown Pittsburgh as the vibrant and popular shopping destination of the day.
Albert and Agnes prided themselves on their entrepreneurial spirit and rarely missed a day of work. Mansmann’s Department Store remained in the family involving two additional generations. Despite the failed urban renewal project in East Liberty in the 1960s, this popular store managed to survive the community downturn until 1979 when it closed its doors.
Mr. Calihan, also a lifelong entrepreneur, created the Mansmann Foundation in 2014 and named it to honor his grandparents’ entrepreneurial spirit. Since its inception the goal of the Foundation has been to focus on small business owners in communities seeking economic revitalization.
Mansmann Foundation is a Pennsylvania nonprofit Corporation. It is recognized as a 501(c)(3) charity under the code of the United States Internal Revenue Service.
Our Board Members
Jeremy Resnick, Board Chair
Founder, Propel Schools and Innovation Fellow, Propel Schools Foundation
AJ Drexler
CEO, Mansmann Foundation
Gail Goodman
Chief Product Officer and Co-founder, Pepperlane
LaToya Johnson-Rainey
Founder and Owner, A Hair Boutique
Susie Quesada
President, Ramar Foods International
Himanshu Sareen
Founder and CEO, Icreon Tech
Susan Valverde
Chief Franchise Operations Officer, Sylvan Learning
Our Board of Advisors
Arthur Brooks
Professor, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School
John Staley
Founder & President, Staley Capital
Paul Bishop
Chairman and CEO, H-P Products
Marc Spencer
President and CEO, Summer Search
Katherine Kennedy
Entrepreneur, Speaking To What Matters
Contact Us
The best way to reach us is by emailing us at info@mansmannfoundation.org. Contact us any time and we will follow up within 48 hours to arrange a mutually convenient time to discuss your needs.
Thank you for your interest in Mansmann Foundation. We look forward to learning about your business!
