Our Team

Who We Are

As an organization and team, we are committed to embodying the best practices in our field. Above all, we strive to be self-reflective, compassionate and hold the highest ideals of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion at the core of who we are and all that we do. The Neighborhood Allies team shares an authentic and underlying purpose of making life better for all Pittsburghers–each coming from a diverse background and bringing our personal experiences, knowledge and expertise to our organization.

Presley L. Gillespie (he/him)

Presley L. Gillespie (he/him)

President & Chief Executive Officer

Stephanie Chernay (she/her)

Stephanie Chernay (she/her)

Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Violet Graham (she/her)

Violet Graham (she/her)

Vice President of Finance

Sarah Dieleman Perry (she/her)

Sarah Dieleman Perry (she/her)

Vice President of Economic Mobility

Matt Madia (he/him)

Matt Madia (he/him)

Vice President of Real Estate Services

Talia DePasquale (she/her)

Talia DePasquale (she/her)

Senior Director of Knowledge Management and Communications

Shad Henderson (he/him)

Shad Henderson (he/him)

Senior Director of Public and Private Partnerships

 Ben Emswiler (he/him)

Ben Emswiler (he/him)

Executive Assistant and Office Manager

Tamara Emswiler (she/her)

Tamara Emswiler (she/her)

Senior Program Manager for Social Impact Design

Demi Kolke (she/her)

Demi Kolke (she/her)

Director of Community Investments

 DeOndra Parker (she/her)

DeOndra Parker (she/her)

Senior Program Manager of Fund Development & Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Glenn Grayson Jr. (he/him)

Glenn Grayson Jr. (he/him)

Senior Program Manager for Real Estate Development

Karen Lue (she/her)

Karen Lue (she/her)

Senior Program Manager for Digital Inclusion and Innovation

Jordan Swartz (she/her)

Jordan Swartz (she/her)

Social Impact Designer

Toni Corinealdi (she/her)

Toni Corinealdi (she/her)

Senior Program Manager of Empowerment and Outreach

Ashley McLean (she/her)

Ashley McLean (she/her)

Senior Program Manager for Economic Opportunity

Chelsea Contino Eicher (she/her)

Chelsea Contino Eicher (she/her)

Communications and Outreach Program Manager

Javier Janik (he/him)

Javier Janik (he/him)

Program Manager of Economic Opportunity and Investment

Tariq Williams (he/him)

Tariq Williams (he/him)

Program Manager of Real Estate Services

Ibrahim Emara (he/him)

Ibrahim Emara (he/him)

ACC AmeriCorps Member

Steel Smiling: Organization in Residence

Julius A. Boatwright, MSW, LSW (he/him)

Julius A. Boatwright, MSW, LSW (he/him)

Founder and Managing Director, Steel Smiling

Courtney Abegunde (she/her)

Courtney Abegunde (she/her)

Operations Director, Steel Smiling

Robin M. Sheffey (she/her)

Robin M. Sheffey (she/her)

Program Manager of Wellness Services, Steel Smiling

Cheyenne Campbell (she/her)

Cheyenne Campbell (she/her)

Peer Support Fellow, Steel Smiling

Meleak Potter (he/him)

Meleak Potter (he/him)

Peer Support Fellow, Steel Smiling