Staff

Leadership Team
Carey Harris
Carey Harris
Chief Executive Officer
What I like best about Literacy Pittsburgh:

Everything—the students, the staff, the volunteers, the board—we are an organization of some of the most generous people on Earth!

Bio Email 412-393-7637
Lori Como
Lori Como
Chief Program Officer
What inspires me:

The perseverance of our students inspires me. Learning from them and knowing them gives me hope and understanding of our world.

Bio Email 412-393-7640
Alexander Dow
Alexander Dow
Data and Information Manager
My favorite quote or motto:

“Life can only be understood backward but can only be lived forward.”

Bio Email 412-393-7601
Cheryl Garcia
Cheryl Garcia
Chief Financial Officer
The best advice I’ve received:

Never give up.

Bio Email 412-393-7635
Maria Polinsky
Maria Polinsky
Director of Marketing and Communications
My favorite quote or motto:

"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending."

Bio Email 412-393-7631
Tim Richart
Tim Richart
Director of Development
The best advice I’ve received:

Success comes from your heart.

Bio Email 412-393-7633
Program Leadership Team
Lori Como
Lori Como
Chief Program Officer
What inspires me:

The perseverance of our students inspires me. Learning from them and knowing them gives me hope and understanding of our world.

Bio Email 412-393-7640
Gretchen Costello
Gretchen Costello
Director of Adult Education
I am currently learning:

Japanese, Italian, project management best practices, and how to harness the power of AI for good.

Email 412-393-7638
Rebecca Gamble
Rebecca Gamble
Director of Student Services
What I like best about Literacy Pittsburgh:

Helping adults improve their lives through learning while working towards their goals

Email 412-393-7644
Hannah Gerbeschacht
Hannah Gerbeschacht
Director of Volunteer and Community Programs
 I am currently learning:

I love to cook and am working on my dumpling making. My favorite is xiaolongbao!

Email 412-595-4347
Caitlin Griffiths
Caitlin Griffiths
Director of Child and Family Programs
What inspires me:

Anyone with perseverance. It takes a lot of courage to follow your dreams and goals!

Email 412-857-8213
Abbie Johnson
Abbie Johnson
Manager of Enrollment
What inspires me: 

Anyone with the courage to learn a new language

Email 412-609-2512
Nicole Johnson
Nicole Johnson
Director of Strategic Initiatives
What I like best about Literacy Pittsburgh:

The community of people involved—from our diverse students to our amazing staff

Email 412-393-7656
Student Enrollment
Sierra Brown
Sierra Brown
Enrollment Coordinator
What I like best about Literacy Pittsburgh:

How committed our staff is to the success of our students

Email 412-260-2770
Joseph Divin
Enrollment Coordinator
What do you like best about Literacy Pittsburgh:

I like the culture, everyone is welcoming and willing to assist between staff, and so I can conclude that the success of the organization is based on teamwork which goes to services being delivered as well.

Email 412-707-7521
Najlaa Ebrahim
Najlaa Ebrahim
Student Support Specialist
What inspires me:

I like trying something in a new way, with a new approach, a new idea.

Email 412-393-7602
Abbie Johnson
Abbie Johnson
Manager of Enrollment
What inspires me: 

Anyone with the courage to learn a new language

Email 412-609-2512
 Keerstan McGinley
Keerstan McGinley
English Language Learning Enrollment Coordinator
 My favorite quote or motto:

“The bird that soars above the plain of tradition and prejudice must have strong wings.”

Email 412-909-6496
Niki Simpson
Niki Simpson
Enrollment Coordinator
What inspires you:

Anyone who has the courage to try something new.

Email 412-290-4213
Palasha Tuladhar
Enrollment Coordinator
What is the best advice you've received?

 If it makes you happy, then it is not a waste of time.

 

Email 417-760-9026
Marta Zimmerman
Marta Zimmerman
Enrollment Coordinator
What are you learning right now?

Financial Literacy! This is the year I figure out what the stock market is and why I should care.

Volunteer Training and Support
Anita Cohen
Squirrel Hill Program Coordinator
What do you like best about Literacy Pittsburgh:

The students and tutors! In fact, I like them so much, I'm returning to work at Literacy Pittsburgh after returning from being out of state. I get to work with some of the most inspiring people in Pittsburgh!

Email (412) 421-0525
Katy Critchfield
Katy Critchfield
Manager, Academics
What inspires me?

I'm inspired by our volunteers who give so much of their time, effort, and energy to improve lives through learning.

Email 412-757-5298
Miguel Diaz Segura
Miguel Diaz Segura
Jefferson - Mon Valley Program Coordinator
What inspires me:

Our students and the effort they put into learning.

Email 412-650-8833
Hannah Gerbeschacht
Hannah Gerbeschacht
Director of Volunteer and Community Programs
 I am currently learning:

I love to cook and am working on my dumpling making. My favorite is xiaolongbao!

Email 412-595-4347
Crystal Gilroy
North Hills Coordinator
What do you like best about Literacy Pittsburgh?

Literacy Pittsburgh has such a strong dedication to its students.

Email 412-654-1230
 Roberta Hatcher
Roberta Hatcher
Training Coordinator
 Favorite quote or motto:

“Every step of the journey is the journey" - Zen saying.

Email 412-393-7645
Laurel Kane
Laurel Kane
Pittsburgh West Program Coordinator
What inspires me:

My students

Email 412-923-2175
Lisa Morse
Lisa Morse
Pittsburgh East Program Coordinator
 My favorite quote or motto:

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” – Plutarch

Email 412-661-7006
Leah Patterson
Leah Patterson
Northside - Ohio River Program Coordinator
What I like best about Literacy Pittsburgh:

I like that Literacy Pittsburgh lays the foundation and a clear path for people to achieve their goals.

Email 412-969-8486
Miranda Pino
Miranda Pino
South Hills Program Coordinator
What is the best advice you've received:

It is okay to not know the answer.

Email 412-531-3004
Instructors
Tina Burns
Instructor
What do you like best about Literacy Pittsburgh:

I like meeting the dedicated educators who care about people and making their lives better.

Gretchen Costello
Gretchen Costello
Director of Adult Education
I am currently learning:

Japanese, Italian, project management best practices, and how to harness the power of AI for good.

Email 412-393-7638
Luke Fredland
Luke Fredland
Manager, College and Career Readiness
 My favorite quote or motto:

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

Email 412-393-7609
Erica Hom
Erica Hom
English Language Learning Instructor
What I like best about Literacy Pittsburgh:

The welcoming atmosphere

Email 412-393-7603
Amanda Kmetz
Amanda Kmetz
English Language Learning Instructor
My favorite quote or motto:

"Brevity is the soul of wit."

Email 412-393-7658
Emily Laughlin
College and Career Readiness Instructor
My favorite quote or motto:

“If you truly loved yourself, you could never hurt another.” – Buddha

Email 412-393-7653
Jackie McAfee
ELL Instructor
What is your favorite quote or motto?

"Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace." - Confucius

 

Cliff Shawn Murphy
Workforce Instructor
What is the best advice you've received?

Follow your passion and pursue what truly makes you happy.

Email 412-654-3562
Lauren Gaynord
Lauren Ramon
Manager, English Language Learning
I'm currently learning:

Spanish (very slowly)

Email 724-382-8261
Jeff Rice
English Language Learning Instructor
What are you learning right now:

Ecological garden design

 

Shirley Robinson
Shirley Rykaceski
English Language Learning Instructor
I am currently learning:

Through my students, I am learning about a variety of countries, cultures, and traditions.

Email 412-393-7605
Kristen Sidorovich
English Language Learning Instructor
What do you like best about Literacy Pittsburgh:

Getting to meet new students and seeing their growth over time.

Email 412-254-6115
Terra Teets
Terra Teets
Manager, Auxiliary/Support
The best advice I've received:

Stay in the present moment.

Email 412-393-7600
Julie Wiancko
Julie Wiancko
English Language Learning Instructor
What inspires you:

Two big things that inspire me are walks in the forest, especially near streams of water, as well as the look on someone's face when understanding hits.

Email 412-393-7665
Workforce Programs
Anne Carney
Digital Skills Coordinator
My favorite Quote or Motto:

"I get by with a little help from my friends."

Email 412-983-2595
Vince DeStefano
Workforce Development Program Coordinator
The best advice I’ve received:

Don't let perfect be the enemy of good.

Email 412-350-9920
James Fagg
James Fagg
Manager, Partner Classes
I am currently learning:

As much as I can about Pittsburgh

Email 412-393-7642
Nicole Johnson
Nicole Johnson
Director of Strategic Initiatives
What I like best about Literacy Pittsburgh:

The community of people involved—from our diverse students to our amazing staff

Email 412-393-7656
Joe Rokicki
Digital Skills Instructor
What is your favorite quote or motto:

Keep on truckin' on

Email 412-760-5718
Adrianna Wright
Adrianna Wright
Digital Skills Instructor
My favorite quote or motto:

"It's never too late to be who you might have been." – George Elliot

Email 412-209-8468
Child and Family Programs
Hakima A
Hakima Ait lafkih
Early Childhood Education Class Aide
What is your favorite quote or motto?

Don't leave today's work for tomorrow.

 

412-857-8213
Angela Anderson
School Based Program Coordinator
Email 412-612-0104
Helena Duncan
Helena Duncan
Instructor
What I like best about Literacy Pittsburgh: 

The students!

Email 412-857-8213
Caitlin Griffiths
Caitlin Griffiths
Director of Child and Family Programs
What inspires me:

Anyone with perseverance. It takes a lot of courage to follow your dreams and goals!

Email 412-857-8213
Jaylene Hartzell
Early Childhood Teacher
What are you learning right now?

To be patient with myself.

Email 412-857-8213
Jessica Orlidge
Jessica Orlidge
Instructor
I am currently learning:

To speak Spanish! Also, the accordion.

Email 412-857-8213
Beaver Site
Deborah Howells
CCR Instructor - Beaver County
What is your favorite quote or motto?

 "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

 

Email 724-728-4860
Lynn Ready Aspiotes
Program Coordinator - Beaver County
What inspires you:

Genuinely kind, selfless people.

Email 412-292-7097
Student Support Services
Callie Angelo
Career Advisor
What is the best advice you've received?

It is not our job to tell ourselves no. Submit the application, ask the question—if you think you will be turned down or denied, let them do it. It is not your job to preemptively deny yourself opportunity. 

Email 412-909-6499
Katie Bulova
ISAC Service Coordinator
Lindsey Crumley
Service Coordinator
What do you like best about Literacy Pittsburgh:

The thing I like best about Literacy Pittsburgh is the passion that everyone has for what they do.

Email 412-689-3641
Rebecca Gamble
Rebecca Gamble
Director of Student Services
What I like best about Literacy Pittsburgh:

Helping adults improve their lives through learning while working towards their goals

Email 412-393-7644
Tiffani Humble
ISAC Service Coordinator
The best advice I've received:

It's all in the mindset.

Dru Pelter
Career Advisor
What are you learning right now?

I've been learning all about Literacy Pittsburgh's goals and values.

 

Ezekieli Seti
Service Coordinator
What is the best advice you've received?

A mindset of Gratitude achieves more than the eye can see!

 

 

Email 412-689-0947
Compass AmeriCorps
Jan Paul
Jan Paul
Compass AmeriCorps Program Manager
The best advice I’ve received:

Perfection isn't real. Keep trying things even if you're not great at them.

Email 412-393-7622
Jessie Mellon
Compass AmeriCorps South Hills Interfaith Ministry
Camila Centeno
Compass AmeriCorps Literacy Pittsburgh
Israel Centeno
Compass AmeriCorps Literacy Pittsburgh
John Cotter
Compass AmeriCorps Literacy Pittsburgh
Chloe Lestitian
Compass AmeriCorps Literacy Pittsburgh
Daniel McNuly
Compass AmeriCorps Literacy Pittsburgh
Eliza Zwiki
Compass AmeriCorps Literacy Pittsburgh
Development
Christine Dickey
Christine Dickey
Manager of Corporate and Foundation Investments
What I like best about Literacy Pittsburgh:

As we innovate and grow, Literacy Pittsburgh never forgets our primary focus—the students we serve.

Email 412-393-7632
Jabriya Hester
Development Manager
What is your favorite quote or motto:

“If you can dream it, you can do it.” – Walt Disney

Email 412-393-7646
Steve Morrison
Steve Morrison
Annual Giving and Stewardship Manager
I am currently learning:

How to play the dobro! It's like a weird cross between a guitar and a banjo.

Email 412-393-7652
Tim Richart
Tim Richart
Director of Development
The best advice I’ve received:

Success comes from your heart.

Bio Email 412-393-7633
Communications and Marketing
Maria Polinsky
Maria Polinsky
Director of Marketing and Communications
My favorite quote or motto:

"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending."

Bio Email 412-393-7631
Finance and Administration
Cheryl Garcia
Cheryl Garcia
Chief Financial Officer
The best advice I’ve received:

Never give up.

Bio Email 412-393-7635
Alev Kerenciler
Accounting Administrative Assistant
Mel Noble
Staff Accountant
What is the best advice you've received?

Have compassion, including for yourself!

Email 412-393-7636
Nile Wilson
Nile Wilson
Operations Assistant
I am currently learning:

How to write in code.

Email 412-393-7663
Data and Information
Alexander Dow
Alexander Dow
Data and Information Manager
My favorite quote or motto:

“Life can only be understood backward but can only be lived forward.”

Bio Email 412-393-7601
Jennifer Skinner
Jennifer Skinner
Data Entry Operator
What is your favorite quote or motto?

"Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."  - Winnie the Pooh

Email 724-316-3400

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