“My dream for every child is that they understand that there are no limits,” Demeshia Seals tells Heinz Endowments President and “We Can Be” host Chris DeCardy.

Demeshia is chief executive officer of the Sarah Heinz House, established by food entrepreneur H.J. Heinz’s son Howard Heinz on Pittsburgh’s North Side in 1901 as a resource for boys from immigrant families.

Two years later the Sarah Heinz House had the distinction of being the first organization of its kind in the country to serve both boys and girls at a time when doing so was unprecedented. It has given youth community-building experiences in sports, nature, well-being and life skills ever since. Its accomplishments gained national attention once again when the organization became a charter member of the national Boys and Girls Clubs of America in 1930.

Demeshia joined the Sarah Heinz House in 2023, bringing decades of experience with companies including Massaro Construction and Nike Inc., where she led its skills development programs.

She now leads the Sarah Heinz House in serving more than 1,000 youth annually and in recent years has expanded its programs to include adults over age 60 and to focus on STEM, robotics and workforce development.

“It’s important that we change the manner in which we speak about what opportunity looks like and what success truly is for our young people,” Demeshia says. “Let's not shackle them with our limited understanding of what their opportunities could be. Let’s give them space to dream and become who they are meant to be.”

“We Can Be” is hosted by Heinz Endowments President Chris DeCardy, and produced by the Endowments, Josh Franzos and Tim Murray. Special commentary in this episode by Endowments Vice President Carmen Anderson. Theme music by Josh Slifkin. Host and guest photos: Josh Franzos. Guest inquiries: Scott Roller at [email protected]. Subscribe, listen and share new “We Can Be” episodes every two weeks on all major podcast platforms. Use search term “Heinz We Can Be.”