Though she was born and raised in Jamestown, NY, Lillian’s parents hail from Southwestern Pennsylvania – leading to her long-term affinity for the area. She graduated summa cum laude from the Pennsylvania State University, where she received an honors degree in Political Science, and from Cornell University, where she received her Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Economic and Financial Policy. Lillian became professionally interested in historic preservation during a conference in Seoul, South Korea, and wrote her graduate thesis on how cities utilize historic preservation practices to improve global city competitiveness. Lillian moved to Pittsburgh two years ago, and works as a regional planner at the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission. She has been a YPA board member since 2019 and currently lives in Mt. Washington.

lillie.grabeski@youngpreservationists.org