Blog

Neighborhood Allies Welcomes New Board Members and Executive Committee Members!

Nov 9, 2018

Join us in welcoming Sallyann Kluz, Tammy Thompson and Abigail Horn to the Neighborhood Allies Board of Directors and congratulating Michele Rone Cooper, David Serafini and Karris Jackson on being elected to serve as Executive Officers!

Sallyann Kluz is a Pittsburgh-based arts administrator, architect and urban designer with over 20 years of practice in the region. Her practice of art, architecture, urban design, and design education has been focused primarily on works in the public realm, including public libraries, streetscapes, public art, and neighborhood development strategies.

Sallyann is the Director of the Office of Public Art (OPA). In her role at OPA, Sallyann is focused on providing technical assistance to artists and clients, and expanding the role of artists in community development and civic design. Prior to joining the Office of Public Art, she was an associate and project architect with Loysen + Kreuthmeier Architects (1998 – 2013), and served as an urban design, planning, and facilitation consultant in the Pittsburgh region. Sallyann also serves on Neighborhood Allies’ Investment Advisory Council and worked with Nieghborhood Allies on the Temporary Public Art and Placemaking Program. Sallyann earned her Bachelor of Architecture with a minor in Art from Carnegie Mellon University, where she has also taught urban design and architecture.

Tammy Thompson brings 18 years of experience as a real estate professional, along with 10 years of management experience and work in community development and community organizing, to her board seat. As the Executive Director of Circles Greater Pittsburgh, Tammy works to connect individuals across socioeconomic lines in an effort to move people and families out of poverty. She is truly passionate about battling poverty in Pittsburgh neighborhoods and building healthy and resilient communities by providing opportunities to those people who have historically been forgotten. Prior to this role, she ran her own real estate consulting firm, during which time she worked with Open-Hand Ministries and Circles, the Hill District Community Development Corporation, and ELDI on a number of consulting projects. In the past, she has also held positions at NeighborWorks of Western PA and Urban Settlement Services.

Tammy also serves on the board of several other Pittsburgh organizations, including Pittsburgh Community Services, Inc., Day One Project, Sojournor MOMS House, and Community Forge. Tammy earned her Associate’s Degree in Specialized Business from the Western School of Business Careers and her Paralegal Certificate from Point Park University. She is also a PHFA Certified Housing Counseling Specialist.

Abigail Horn is the Director of the Office of Community Services for the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. In her role, she works to provide much needed services that help communities to build stability, avoid crises, and thrive. Prior to this position, she oversaw the Homeless System for Allegheny County and led a strategic planning team, Research to Practice, that helped the Department of Human Services evidenc-based practices across their program areas. Abigail also serves on the board of the Education Law Center of PA.

Abigail has published a number of articles during her career, providing valuable research surrounding topics such as homelessness in Allegheny County and the immigrant and refugee population in Pittsburgh. She has also presented at a number of conferences and events on issues of youth homelessness, child welfare and mental health and housing insecurity. Abigail received her Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies from Yale University, completed a Fullbright Scholarship in Santiago, Chile, and received her Masters of International Affairs from Columbia University.


New Executive Officers

Michele Rone Cooper will be the Chairperson of our Board, David Serafini will serve as Board Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee, and Karris Jackson will serve as our Secretary of the Board!

We look forward to the enthusiasm, expertise and passion for creating healthy, thriving communities across Pittsburgh you all will bring to our organization. We are delighted to call you our allies!

Top Header Image Photo Credit: Prototyping Larimer Stories by artist John Peña, photo by OPA