Dress for Success Pittsburgh

Officers

Beth Slagle (Board Chair)
Partner, Meyer, Unkovic & Scott

Beth A. Slagle, a partner at the law firm of Meyer, Unkovic & Scott LLP, maintains an active practice focused principally on business disputes, insurance coverage and employment law. She is the Chair of the Insurance Coverage Litigation Group as well as of the firm’s Diversity Committee. Ms. Slagle’s insurance practice includes representing entities and individuals in a variety of insurance coverage claims related to comprehensive general liability, directors and officers, errors and omissions, primary, excess and umbrella insurance, business, homeowners, life and health, disability, and employers practices liability insurance. Her involvement in these cases has translated directly into the recovery of millions of dollars for many companies, including more than $100,000,000 for a single corporate client. Her commercial and contract practice involves counseling and trial experience in business related disputes, including claims for breach of contract, fraud, negligence, post-employment restraints, covenants not to compete, and the UCC. In addition to her insurance and business litigation practice, Ms. Slagle has significant experience in employment law matters, including conducting internal investigations for employers; counseling and representing employers and employees in matters involving employment agreements, restrictive covenants, separation agreements, severance agreements, workplace violence, discrimination, sexual harassment and hiring and firing decisions; and representing employers in litigation and before administrative agencies on claims alleging discrimination, sexual harassment, ADA and FMLA violations. Ms. Slagle is a frequent lecturer, both locally and nationally, on topics such as insurance coverage, restrictive covenants, employment agreements, workplace violence, hiring, interviewing, evaluation, employee investigations, sexual harassment and discrimination. Additionally, her work has been published in magazines, newsletters and journals. In 2007, on behalf of the firm, she started a partnership with the Diversity Business Resource Center to provide legal services at reduced rates to the Center’s clients. Ms. Slagle was selected as a YWCA Greater Pittsburgh 2008 “A Tribute to Women” awardee. She has also been selected for inclusion in 2008 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. In 2005, she founded Chicks & Chat, a professional women’s networking group that now has over 350 members. The events attract women business owners, artists, educators, and corporate professionals in the for profit and non-profit sectors, and the organization has received nationwide attention in the media. She also was chosen in 2005 as a finalist for the ATHENA Award, which is presented locally by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. In 2004, Ms. Slagle was recognized as a "Fast Tracker" by the Pittsburgh Business Times, which honors business professionals under the age of 45 for their contributions to their profession and the community. She currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for Dress for Success Pittsburgh and as a Board member of Shared Interest. She serves on the Advisory Councils of Duquesne University’s Nonprofit Leadership Institute as well as the Women’s Executive Leadership Council and is a mentor in the Strong Women, Strong Girls mentoring program. Ms. Slagle, a North Hills resident, graduated in 1987 from Youngstown State University where she majored in finance and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. In 1990, she received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Cindy Cooney (Board Co-Chair)
Owner, C to It Image and Event Design

Cindy Cooney is the owner and creator of C To It Image and Event Design. Professionally, Cindy has been creating great events for over 15 years, working for non-profits, large and small businesses, including working for one of the best loved female fashion designers.

Julian Neiser, Esq. (Vice Chair)
Owner, Signs by Tomorrow

Julian Neiser started his career in the US Marine Corps and serve as both a Drill Instructor to more than 450 recruits and administrator for a specialized unit responsible for several multi-million dollar accounts. After the serving, Julian was a reporter for the Pittsburgh Business Times and the Associated Press and an Account Group Supervisor at Skutski & Oltmans. In 2001, Julian graduated from Duquesne Law School and  practiced litigation at Meyer, Unkovic & Scott, Tucker Arensberg and McGuireWoods LLP before moving on to private practice in 2007. Currently, Julian is also the owner of Signs by Tomorrow, a commercial sign company based in Robinson Township.

Steffanie J. Jasper (Treasurer)
Vice President, Finance Manager, PNC Financial Services Group

Steffanie J. Jasper is Vice President and Finance Manager at The PNC Financial Services Group. She is responsible for developing and implementing multiple strategic finance projects that will lead to sweeping process improvements, improved management information, and increased transparency of financial data for the organization. Additionally she is responsible for the financial results of an internal department. This includes oversight of expense management, staff analysis, budget and forecast development. Previously, Ms. Jasper was the Director of Accounts Payable and Procure to Pay Strategies within the PNC Operations division of PNC. In that position, Ms. Jasper was responsible for implementing the vision, mission and strategy to support the company's overall strategic goals for cost reduction and spending controls related to the procurement, approval, and payment of goods and services. Prior to joining PNC, Ms. Jasper worked as a business consultant with a then ‘Big 5’ consulting firm. In that role, Ms. Jasper worked with not-for-profit, Fortune 500, and university clients to identify business process improvements and implement large supply chain and finance systems. In addition to her professional experience, Ms. Jasper is a graduate of the Leadership Pittsburgh class XXIII. Ms. Jasper serves on the Board of Trustees for The Bradley Center, Dress for Success Pittsburgh, and the Mt. Ararat Community Activity Center. She also serves as an Image Consultant volunteer for Dress for Success Pittsburgh and volunteers time to support PNC’s Grow Up Great. Ms. Jasper is a graduate of Georgetown University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Government and Psychology (double major). Ms. Jasper is also a distinguished graduate of Carnegie Mellon Heinz School of Public Management and Policy with a Master of Science degree in Economic Development and Financial Management. While at Georgetown, Ms. Jasper was named Athlete of the Year and was a 5-time All American in Track and Field.

Mary Kate Bartley
HR Specialist, Schneider Downs

 

Board Members

Ananda Cyganovich
Y.E.S.! Pittsburgh

Ananda Cyganovich returned to Pittsburgh in 2006 after spending 13 years living in France and Los Angeles. Ananda worked as a freelance stylist in Los Angeles counting Vogue, Teen Vogue and Lifetime magazines as her clients. Upon her return to Pittsburgh, she founded Young Executives for Success (Y.E.S.) and joined Dress for Success Pittsburgh’s board. Ananda holds a Bachelor’s degree in accounting and international business from Penn State University and has completed studies in international business and French culture at the Institut de Technologie in France.  

 
Cynthia Flood
Senior Career Advisor, Art Institute of Pittsburgh

Cynthia Flood is Senior Career Advisor with The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, where she has worked for 11 years. Previous to her role in Career Services, Cynthia was Assistant Director of Admissions. Cynthia also serves as the Board Vice President and Fiscal Manager for Sanctuary of Praise Ministry. Cynthia is married to Mike Flood and has two daughters, Nasia and Michaela. She is currently taking classes to complete her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with South University.

Pamela M. Golubski
Professor/Lecturer, Point Park University, CMU, CCAC

Pamela is the Director of Training and Development at iCarengie (powered by Carnegie Mellon University) and is an Assistant Professor of Business at Point Park University. She earned a PhD in Instructional Management, a MS in Educational Counseling, a BS in Business Adminstration, and a certificate in Adult Learning and Literacy. From 2006 to 2010, Pam was the Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies and Assessment in the College of Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University.
 
Her 15 years of higher education experience extends into the areas of administration, curriculum development, academic and career advising, mentoring, specialized programming, first-year experience, accreditation, and assessment. She has been teaching since 1997 and her true passion lies in teaching management and soft skills courses (change, project, or strategic management, organizational behavior, professional communications, research, and writing).
 
Pamela’s research has been and continues to be in the areas of traditional and e-mentoring, service-learning, virtual advising, probation counseling methods, and the use of Web 2.0 technologies in acclimating, communicating, onboarding, and retaining college students. She presents her research findings through publications (books and journals) and concurrent proceedings at national and international conferences. Lastly, Dr. Golubski is on the Editor Board for the Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice (JSARP).

Justin Harrison
Professional Photographer

Andrea Kotjarapoglus
Independent Representative, Silpada Designs, Inc.

As an independent representative and team leader for Silpada Designs Sterling Silver Jewelry, Andrea Kotjarapoglus blends her personal passion with service to others. What’s more, she blends her love of a good party with a successful career. A savvy business woman, Andrea is committed to mentoring the 200 plus women on her team. Andrea fills the roles of recruiter, trainer, manager, and source of inspiration to those who work with her. Every day, Andrea blends her passion for jewelry with her commitment to empower women and enrich their lives. As a result, her team sells well over a million dollars of jewelry a year. While managing her team, Andrea never loses sight of the nuts & bolts of her business. She continues as an award-winning independent Silpada rep, selling high quality sterling jewelry. In 2007, Andrea was the #1 Silpada sales representative in the state of PA. Also in 2007, Andrea was the #2 Silpada sales recruiter in the state of PA. 

 
Lisa M. Tagliati
Human Resources, PNC & Co-Chair, Y.E.S.! Pittsburgh

Lisa Tagliatti is the president of Young Executive for Success (Y.E.S.) Pittsburgh. Lisa graduated from Slippery Rock University and is currently a Human Resources manager at PNC. She is an active volunteer with PNC’s “Grow Up Great” program.

Thomas Davis

Jeanine Fallon
Market Executive, First Commonwealth Bank

Jeanine Fallon serves as the Market Executive with oversight of the Pittsburgh Market.  Her role includes management of all personnel as well as business development and client retention for all business and personal financial services accounts.  Jeanine is highly active in the Pittsburgh Community.  She has served as the Chairperson for the Project Bundle-Up campaign and Bowl-A-Thon & the Calling for Kids campaign benefiting the Junior Achievement of Western PA.  She has also served as the Pittsburgh Walk Team Coordinator for both the American Diabetes Association and the Juvenile Diabetes Reasearch Foundation.  She is a member of the Urban League, Downtown Partnership and currently serves as Director on the Junior Achievement of Western PA Board of Directors.

Shondra Irby
Senior Councel, Asset Servicing & Issuer Services Divisions, BNY Mellon

Daryl Lucke
Operations Director, Ward Home, Inc.

Daryl is the Director of Operations for Ward Home, Inc, a non-profit agency specializing in teaching life skills to at-risk teens.  Prior to Ward Home, Daryl spent 13 years as the Director of Human Resources at a non-profit agency in NJ where she was a leader on the executive team to design the agency strategic plan.  Daryl was responsible for all human resources related activities with an emphasis on recruitment and retention, wage and salary administration, policy development, benefits administration and employee relations.  Daryle Received her BA in Economics with a minor in Human Resources from Boston College.

Suzanna Masartis
Division Vice President, American Liver Foundation

Sheila M. Talarico
Director of Resource Development, Glade Run Lutheran Services

Kristen M. Bires Carothers
Director, Executive MBA Pittsburgh Program, Katz Graduate School of Business

Kristen Bires Carothers is currently the Director for the Executive MBA (EMBA) Program at the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh.  Kristen holds a B.S. in Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh and Master of Public Management from Carnegie Mellon University.  She has been at the University of Pittsburgh for several years and previously held the position of Director of Alumni Relations at the Swanson School of Engineering.  Before working at the University, Kristen worked in computer network sales.  She has also been a Chair for the Sponsorship committee for Adagio Health's Hot Pink Pittsburgh event and is involved with the Pitt Alumni council.

Jennifer Woodward, PhD
Assistant Dean for Faculty Affairs, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Jennifer currently has three appointments at the University of Pittsburgh: Associate Professor of Surgery, Administrative Director for Research and Academic Affairs at the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, and Assistant Dean for Faculty Affairs in the School of Medicine. In 1998, Jennifer joined the faculty of the University of Pittsburgh. Her contributions to the field of organ transplantation have been recognized through her publications, presentations, research grants, and awards. Even though Jennifer is currently a full-time administrator, she continues to participate in a variety of transplant and immunology-related activities and training programs and fosters her passion for science and medicine through formal teaching and mentoring of students. She also actively participates in professional development courses and workshops for research fellows and junior faculty. In addition to her many research, administrative, and teaching responsibilities, Jennifer has a strong commitment to the University and to the School of Medicine through her service on numerous committees and boards. Jennifer, a North Carolina native, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1989 from Presbyterian College, a Master of Science degree in Biology in 1991 from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and a PhD in microbiology and immunology in 1995 from the Medical University of South Carolina.

 

 

Advisory Board

Kim Adams

Linda Dickerson
Principal, 501(c)(3)2

Judie Donaldson

Mark Freeman
Project Manager, U.S. Department of Energy

Michele Griffiths
Co-Founder, Dress for Success Pittsburgh Principal, Community Development & Consulting

Trish Hooper
Chief Operating Office, Trib Total Media

Lourdes Karas
Executive Director, Appalachian Arts Initiative

Kristen Lane
Public Relations Manager, Health America

Mary Jo Meenen
Children's Museum Pittsburgh

Inez Miles
Vice President, Citizens Bank

Yvonda Smith

Mark Vitelli
Senior Account Manager - Ditto Document Solutions

Michael Zanic
Partner, Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP