board of directors

Meet Fight the Blight’s Board of Directors

Matt Williams

Matt founded Fight the Blight Inc. in 2020 and serves as Chairman and Treasurer.  His work with Hoarding Disorder and blighted properties has been featured on WPXI (NBC) Pittsburgh, KDKA (CBS) Pittsburgh, WTAE’s (ABC) 4 The Record, The Tribune Review, Spotlight PA, National Public Radio (NPR), The Inner Page with Allen Wagner (92.3FM Radio Pittsburgh) and In Touch with Eric O’Brien (WKHB Radio Pittsburgh).

Matt is active with his local Rotary Club, where he is a board member and will serve as President in the coming year, and The Irwin Business and Professionals Association, where he assists in planning and producing several community events each year including The St. Patrick’s Day Family Fun Fest, The Irwin Car Cruise, Music Off Main (event chair), The Irwin Street Market, Gig on Main (co-chair), and Light Up Norwin Holiday Parade (event chair). Matt is also a board member and serves as Treasurer of the International Association of Field Services Technicians (IAFST), as well as a board member of the Westmoreland County Elder Abuse Prevention Task Force.

Eva Williams

Eva Williams is the President and Co-Founder of Fight the Blight and a dedicated advocate for community improvement.  She also serves as the President of the Irwin Business and Professional Association, where she works to support local businesses and foster community growth by helping to organize numerous free events each year that are open to everyone. As a facilitator of Fight the Blight’s Hoarding Disorder support groups, Eva provides compassionate guidance to those in need. She also plays an active role in maintenance services, assisting elderly and disabled homeowners in creating safer, healthier living environments. Eva graduated summa cum laude from Point Park University with a BS in Criminal Justice/Criminal Law. 

Tyler Baum

Tyler Baum is a lifelong native of Irwin, Pennsylvania, where he serves as the Chairman Pro Tempore of Borough Council, a volunteer firefighter, and a board member of numerous non-profit organizations, including Fight the Blight and the Westmoreland County Community College.

In 2021, Mr. Baum became the youngest legislator on Borough Council in Irwin. Since his election to Council, he has successfully sponsored legislation for the police department to carry Narcan to battle the opioid epidemic, to live stream Borough Council meetings to increase transparency and community engagement, and to increase funding for the volunteer fire department. Mr. Baum also founded the Irwin Junior Council Person program to engage the Borough’s youth in local government.

Mr. Baum grew up in a blue-collar family with a 140-year legacy in steelmaking and roots in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania for over 250 years. He works as a Senior Associate at
Continuim Equity Partners in Pittsburgh, where he is proud to continue his family’s legacy in the metals industry by acquiring, operating, and growing American industrial and manufacturing businesses. In 2023, Mr. Baum was recognized as a Pittsburgh Business Times 30 Under 30
honoree.

Mr. Baum graduated from Dartmouth College with a B.A. in Government and Public Policy in 2020. While at Dartmouth, he interned at the White House during the Trump Administration.

Heather McClean

Heather McClean has over 20 years of experience in the mental health field and has served as the Outreach Coordinator at Mental Health America SWPA since 2019. In her role, she actively participates on numerous committees and boards, including the Ray of Hope Westmoreland County Suicide Awareness and Prevention Task Force, the Hoarding Alliance of Westmoreland County, and the Southwest Regional CIT Program Steering Committee. Heather also holds leadership roles with the Suicide Prevention Alliance and serves on the boards of Greater Things Ministries and Fight the Blight.

Since 2009, Heather has been deeply involved in suicide prevention, chairing the Ray of Hope Task Force since 2016. Her responsibilities include overseeing task force activities, supervising its coordinator, and leading the L.O.S.S. Team (Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors). Heather also serves as the Westmoreland County Emergency Behavioral Health Coordinator, providing emotional support following traumatic events.

A certified instructor and trainer in multiple areas, including suicide intervention, crisis intervention, and Youth Mental Health First Aid, Heather frequently provides trainings for schools, businesses, first responders, and faith-based organizations. She is a 2002 honors graduate of Point Park University with a B.S. in Criminology/Criminal Rehabilitation and holds an associate degree in Legal Assisting/Paralegal from Westmoreland Community College.

Joshua Walker

Co-owner of Hope Road Homes LLC. A community-focused real estate company dedicated to revitalizing distressed properties and strengthening neighborhoods. Their mission is to restore value to the properties while empowering local residents to achieve home ownership through innovative and flexible financial solutions.

Contact Us