Meet Julianne Pelusi, our Manager of Media & Government Relations! 

We sat down with Julianne to learn more about her background, what brought her to Pittsburgh Water, and how her role helps keep our organization connected with government officials, and facilitates effective communication channels with local media outlets.

Tell us more about your role at Pittsburgh Water.

I serve as a bridge between Pittsburgh Water, the public, and our government partners, translating complex infrastructure work into clear stories and information people can understand and trust. I lead media relations, support communications, and help shape messaging that reflects our responsibility to the community.

What inspired you to pursue a career in your field?

I’ve always been drawn to storytelling; it’s how I understand the world and connect with people. I knew from a young age I wanted to be a sports anchor, and I was fortunate to live that dream for a decade.

I started in Steubenville, Ohio, then moved to Buffalo and South Bend, covering everything from Ohio State’s National Championship run to Notre Dame football, and spending seasons with the Buffalo Bills and Sabres through all the highs and even more heartbreaks. I also covered all of the golf I could, including a few majors, even though I’ll admit I’m much better at telling the story than playing the game.

Over time, I felt a pull to use those same storytelling skills in a way that directly served people’s everyday lives. Infrastructure isn’t always visible, but it’s essential. There is something meaningful about helping people understand and trust something as fundamental as their water. That’s what led me into public service.

What brought you to the Pittsburgh Water team?

Pittsburgh Water stood out to me because of the scale of impact and the sense of purpose behind the work. There’s a real commitment here, not just to delivering safe, clean water, but to rebuilding trust and investing in the future of the region.

It also aligns with how I try to move through my own life. I keep a simple gratitude practice, and clean drinking water and a hot shower are always on my list. Being part of an organization that provides something so essential, something that we can so easily take for granted, felt deeply meaningful to me.

Pittsburgh Water felt like a place where my background in storytelling could make a tangible difference, and where the work truly matters every single day.

How does your role contribute to the delivery of safe, clean drinking water for all our communities?

My colleagues are the ones doing the critical hands-on work to deliver safe, clean, reliable water, and they do their jobs exceptionally well. My role is to make sure people understand that work, trust it, and feel connected to it. Clear and honest communication is essential. If people understand what we’re doing and why, it strengthens that relationship between the utility and the community we serve.

What are some of your favorite challenges to tackle?

I love the challenge of finding the right way to tell a story, especially when it’s complex or not immediately visible. Some of the most important work we do happens underground or behind the scenes, so the challenge is bringing it to life in a way that feels real and relevant to people. I also enjoy working in fast-paced, high-pressure moments where clear communication really matters.

What's an interesting fact your coworkers may not know about you?

I was the Steelers in-game host in 2018! You might have seen me on the jumbotron!

What's something you're planning on doing in the next year that you've never done before?

I'm hiking an active volcano overnight in Guatemala. I love experiences that push me a little outside of my comfort zone and give me a deeper sense of the world. Traveling, especially in an intentional and grounded way, has become very important to me. I’ve included a photo with my family at the Colosseum in Rome, although I typically look for the less-traveled path.

What was your first job?

I rode my bike to Rita’s Italian Ice in Cranberry when I was 15 years old and my parents told me to get a job. I came home to tell them I was hired. I worked there all through high school and college summers. My first boss, Megan, had a huge impact on me. She taught me responsibility, work ethic, and how to show up for a team. We still keep in touch, and she will be tickled to be mentioned here.

What's the best advice you've ever received?

Focus less on being understood and more on understanding. When you approach your work and your life from a place of service, everything else falls into place. Listen, help, and show up for others.