Holly K. Pilcavage (she/her) never set out to be an advertising executive. She was after a career in education. Talk about pivoting. A single thread, however, fastens every link in her career. Wherever she lands, the people around her flourish and meaningful change starts happening.

At just 30 years old, Holly was named CEO of Coal Creative. She had joined the startup as director of business development in 2016, but clearly she had a greater vision for the company.

Under her leadership, the company has crushed business goals year after year. The company has continued to exceed annual goals and now employs 13 full-time and 1 part-time team members servicing the Northeastern Pennsylvania region and beyond.

In the last few years, Coal Creative brought home two American Business Awards, the premier business awards program in the U.S.A. Just months prior, Holly was named “Maverick of the Year” by The Stevie Awards, the world’s premiere business awards.

The Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal named her to its “Top 25 Women in Business” list. The year before, the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce named Holly the Northeastern Pennsylvania Influencer of the Year.

Previously, the Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal included Holly in its “Top 20 Under 40” list and she was a contender in the Forbes “30 Under 30” list. Those achievements both happened in 2017.

She serves as an example and gracefully advocates for the arts, women in business and LGBTQ+ rights and education.

Holly is engaged in the following activities and organizations holding various positions:

• Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Vice Chair, Finance Committee, Government Affairs Committee, Young Professionals Council (Chair 2020-2021), Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and Women’s Network
• Dress For Success Luzerne County Board of Directors (Board Chair 2022 – Present)
• Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Community Growth Committee (Chair 2024)
• Wilkes-Barre Law & Library Association (Lay Member 2021 – Present)
• Circle 200 (Member)
• Leadership Northeast Core Class of 2018 and Executive Leadership Class of 2023

She earned her Master of Education degree from the University of Akron and bachelor’s degree from the University of Scranton.

Connect with Holly on LinkedIn.