SAINT VINCENT COLLEGE SBDC TEAM BIOS

April Kopas, Director of the Saint Vincent College Small Business Development Center, has spent her career serving and strengthening communities and businesses throughout Westmoreland County in several executive leadership positions.

As Westmoreland County’s first Business Development Director, she helped thousands of businesses, ranging from startups to multinational corporations. As Executive Director of the Westmoreland County Redevelopment Authority, she founded the Westmoreland County Land Bank – one of the first in the Commonwealth – to remediate blight and revitalize vacant spaces to foster new business investment and improve neighborhoods.

As Chief Executive Officer of the Westmoreland Cultural Trust, a regional arts and cultural organization, she expanded the organization’s arts incubator and created innovative programs that empowered local artists and small business owners, strengthening the region’s economy.

Her innovative work earned her the Seton Hill University Entrepreneurial Excellence Award.

April is a long-time board member of the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. She is active with the Westmoreland County Autism Society and is also a certified Direct Support Professional to help those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

April holds a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from West Virgina University.

April lives in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, with her husband Ted. They have 5 children, two granddaughters, and rescue dog Hero.