The Carnegie HERO (Hero-Inspired Education and Research Outreach) Project is an exciting new collaboration between the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission (Hero Fund) and the Responsible Data Science Initiative at the University of Pittsburgh (RDS@Pitt), within the broader Roddey Altruism Program—an ambitious effort to build a thriving interdisciplinary community centered on the study of altruism and heroic acts as a way to demonstrate that peace is possible and combat radicalism.
Led by Eric Zahren (CHFC) and Michael Colaresi (RDS@Pitt), the initiative enters its current phase with the development of a new open-access digital portal that will make the CHFC’s rich trove of heroism data and narratives available to researchers, educators, and the public worldwide.
The portal will include structured documentation, interactive notebooks, and onboarding tools to support new users and foster meaningful engagement across fields.
Acknowledgment
David J. Hickton was pivotal in facilitating the development of the HERO Project, a partnership between the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission and RDS@Pitt. Drawing on his distinguished career in public service, law, and civic engagement, Hickton brought together his deep ties to both institutions to help envision a project that honors everyday heroism while exploring the broader societal context of data, safety, and public trust.
As a board member of the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission and founder of Pitt’s Institute for Cyber Law, Policy, and Security, Hickton’s leadership and commitment to public good have helped shape the HERO Project as a platform that bridges historical recognition with contemporary inquiry into responsible data practices and civic resilience.
Partner Bios
- Jewels Phraner
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Jewels Phraner currently serves as director of administration and external affairs of the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission. Her responsibilities include management of the Hero Fund’s public presence, including press releases, publications, and online platforms, arranging presentations for recent Carnegie Medal recipients, and handling requests for information from recipients or their families. In addition, she oversees internal administrative support for investigations, awarding and financial and other support for heroes.
Originally from Southern California, Jewels graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor’s degree in news editorial journalism. She worked at the Tribune Review for five years as a newspaper reporter. She moved to the Hero Fund in 2013, where she started as a case investigator and has since served as social media coordinator, outreach coordinator, communications director, and director of outreach and communications. In Pittsburgh since 2009, she lives in Penn Hills with her husband, daughter, Rosie, and two dogs.
- Eric P. Zahren
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Eric P. Zahren currently serves as President of the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, Andrew Carnegie’s Pittsburgh-based foundation that recognizes civilian heroism throughout the United States and Canada. Upon his election as Board Chair in June 2022 he became the first in the Commission’s long history to serve jointly in both roles. He has served as the Hero Fund’s President since June 30, 2017 after having joined the Commission’s staff in 2016 as Executive Director. He has been a member of the Commission’s board since September, 2015.
Mr. Zahren retired from the US Secret Service in May, 2016 following a 25-year career as a Special Agent. He served as Special Agent in Charge (SAIC) of the Pittsburgh Field Office from 2010 until his retirement. As SAIC, Mr. Zahren was responsible for the oversight of all Secret Service protective activities and criminal investigations throughout Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
A graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the University of London, Mr. Zahren also conducted studies at Duisburg-Essen University, Germany. He is a also partner at GSD Strategic Security Services.
The Hero Fund, established by Carnegie in 1904, has awarded the Carnegie Medal to over 10,000 individuals in recognition of their outstanding heroism, defined by the Commission as acts of lifesaving done at extraordinary risk to the rescuer. Grants totaling more than $45 million have been given to awardees or their survivors and include scholarship aid, continuing assistance, and death benefits.