Our Team
Mary C. Bula, EXECUTIVE Director
Phone: (814) 240-8432
Email: mary@erietogether.org
Mary Bula has led Erie Together, a countywide collective impact movement to make the Erie region a community of opportunity where everyone can learn, work and thrive, since April 2012. Through Erie Together, Mary works with educators, nonprofits, businesses and citizens to help more children become successful adults, more adults obtain family-sustaining employment, and more families become self-sufficient. Notable Erie Together accomplishments include development and leadership of Career Street, creation and facilitation of the Erie County Career Pathways Alliance, strategy development for the Erie County Reentry Services and Support Alliance, and leadership of the Domestic Violence Action Alliance, among others.
Before joining Erie Together, Mary was vice president of the Growth Partnership Division of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership (ERCGP). In her role there, Mary worked with regional CEOs, government officials and other community leaders to advance strategic initiatives to make a long-term impact on the region’s economic vitality.
Prior to the ERCGP, Mary worked for the Center for eBusiness and Advanced IT (eBizITPA). In her primary role as eBizITPA's outreach specialist, she was responsible for developing effective partnerships and programs to promote information technology awareness and use in PA. During her tenure, Mary was instrumental in the drafting and passage of PA Act 88 of 2006, which authorizes local governments to use Internet-based competitive bidding and quoting.
Before eBizITPA, Mary spent ten years as a local government consultant with the Pennsylvania Economy League. She also served as supervisor of Perseus House, Inc.'s community-based residential treatment program for delinquent and dependent girls in Erie, and as admissions counselor for the University of Pittsburgh - Titusville Campus.
Mary is an accomplished meeting facilitator, and also serves on a number of nonprofit, education and youth-related boards and committees. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Allegheny College and a Master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. She is a graduate of the Leadership Erie Class of 1999, was recognized as one of 12 “Women Making History” in 2022 by the Mercy Center for Women and one of five “Inspiring People” in 2016 by the Erie Times-News, was named 2014 Citizen of the Year by the northwest PA Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, and received a “Generation e Leadership Award” from the Young Erie Professionals (yep!) in 2007.
Jennifer Pontzer, Career Street Director
Phone: (814) 572-0419
Email: jpontzer@careerstreeterie.org
Jennifer Pontzer is the director of Erie Together’s Career Street program and has been with the project since its launch in February 2014. Career Street is a very successful networking program connecting local employers and educators to provide students with a variety of PA state standards-aligned, age-appropriate career exploration experiences. As Career Street’s director, Jennifer has overseen the program’s launch, evolution and expansion into neighboring counties by collaborating with employers and educators across northwest PA. Career Street has become a “go to” resource for both educators and employers to provide K-12 career exploration experiences, and is known statewide and beyond.
Prior to her involvement with Career Street, Jennifer worked as a constituent service representative for U.S. Congressman Mike Kelly managing constituent needs, representing the congressman at public events and scheduling his appointments when he was in the Erie area. She worked with Representative Kelly for three years.
Jennifer has a B.A. in education from Westminster College. She serves on several boards and committees focused on education and workforce development. She also serves on the Hamot Health Foundation Board of Corporators, as well as the host committee for the Ladies Only Luncheon for the Barber National Institute (2018 Chairwoman). She is an experienced licensed real estate agent and has served as a ruling elder in her church.