Transforming Patient Lives w/ Philanthropy: Rachel Petrucelli of UPMC Children's Hospital Foundation

What happens when a deeply personal experience leads to a 22-year career raising hundreds of millions of dollars for children's health and philanthropy? In this episode, Greg Weimer sits down with Rachel Petrucelli, President of the UPMC Children's Hospital Foundation, to reflect on her 22-year career, her unexpected path into nonprofit leadership, and how deeply personal experiences shaped her commitment to children's health and philanthropy. From navigating leadership transitions to helping raise hundreds of millions of dollars, Rachel shares how her work is grounded in relationships and a mission that extends far beyond fundraising. Together, they unpack what it truly means to build a career in service of others, how philanthropy creates a "margin of excellence" in healthcare, and why human connection remains at the center of meaningful impact. Rachel also reflects on the evolution of Children's Hospital into a regional and national leader, the importance of making care accessible closer to home, and the ongoing work to meet rising behavioral health needs for children and families. CHAPTERS 01:00 Welcome to Living Your Legacy 01:30 Meet Rachel Petrucelli 02:00 Finding Her Calling in Nonprofit Work 04:00 Growing Up in Erie with a Single Mom 05:30 The Pivot to Children's Hospital 07:00 The Joy of Working with Donors 09:00 Philanthropy as Community 10:00 Building an Extraordinary Team 12:00 Why Longevity Matters in Fundraising 13:00 Navigating Leadership Change 15:00 Building the New Children's Hospital 17:00 The UPMC Partnership 18:30 The Margin of Excellence 20:00 Behavioral Health and What's Next 22:00 Expanding Care Closer to Home 24:00 Looking Back and Looking Forward 26:00 Legacy and Purpose ABOUT THE GUEST Rachel Petrucelli is the President of the UPMC Children's Hospital Foundation. Over her 22-year career at Children's Hospital, she has helped raise hundreds of millions of dollars to support children's health, including the construction of the new hospital that opened in 2009. Rachel's path into nonprofit leadership began after her own daughter's care brought her to Children's Hospital, where she found a calling grounded in relationships, mission, and community impact. ABOUT THE SHOW Living Your Legacy is a podcast hosted by Greg Weimer, founder and CEO of Confluence Financial Partners, where leaders, athletes, and changemakers share their stories of purpose, resilience, and impact. Learn more: https://www.confluencefp.com/podcast-... #RachelPetrucelli #ChildrensHospital #UPMCChildrens #LivingYourLegacy #GregWeimer #ConfluenceFinancialPartners #Philanthropy #GivingBack #Leadership