Staff

Leah Lizarondo Shannon, Chief Executive Officer

leah@dressforsuccesspittsburgh.org

Leah brings a 10-year track record of success in leadership positions with for- and nonprofit organizations.  Leah comes to DFS with a passion for breaking that proverbial glass ceiling.  Leah worked as a Director with Catalyst, a New York-based nonprofit consulting firm that works with Fortune 500 companies to ensure that women have equal advancement opportunities.  Leah also brings early-stage company experience to DFS.  Prior to Catalyst, Leah was a Principal at Zero to Five, where she worked with new companies, providing market strategy consulting services.  Leah was also an investment Associate with InnovationWorks, Inc., a Pittsburgh-based, publicly funded venture capital firm.  She helped start-ups craft business plans and conducted market analysis and funding recommendations.  Leah began her career in global product management with Colgate-Palmolive Company in the Asia-Pacific region, where she led a cross-functional brand team on multi-national projects.

Prior to DFS, Leah was managing director of a groundbreaking contemporary arts organization with her husband as artistic director.  The organization has garnered multi-year support from the National Endowment for the Arts, performed in landmark venues such as the Sydney Opera House, exhibited in major museums such as The Tate in the UK and received wide coverage in major publications such as The New York Times.  She also founded Gawa, a consulting firm that seeks to help nonprofits in strategy and marketing.

Leah received her B.A. in Management Economics from Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines and her M.S. in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University where she graduated with Highest Distinction.  In her other life, Leah is an avid foodie and natural health advocate.  She teaches healthy gourmet cooking lessons at the family-run organic urban farm, Mildred's Daughters, in Stanton Heights, whre she lives with her husband and two children.

Constance Mayer, Programs and Operations Manager

constance@dressforsuccesspittsburgh.org

Constance has many years of experience working for a variety of human service, education, and arts nonprofits in development, public relations, education and advocacy.  She also has extensive experience in fundraising, special events planning, marketing, and community relations.

Constance is committed to contributing to the long-term sustainability of an organization, while also advocating for missions that she believes in.  Her last role was a CareerLink Employer Services Representative for Goodwill of Southwestern Pennsylvania.  While at Goodwill, she implemented and supervised a federal grant at Pleasant Valley homeless men's shelter.  The grant was from the Department of Labor and industry for job placement and case management.  The project exceeded all benchmarks and received letters of commendation from Allegheny County Human Services and the Federal Contracts Supervisor in Washington, DC.

Constance has also worked as a Development Associate at the Heinz History Center and as a Special Events coordinator at the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

Constance finished an MBA at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Business in Strategy and Sustainability.  She also has her Master's in Writing, and taught courses in Pitt's English Department for over 10 years.  In her free time, she does kickboxing and plays the violin.

 

Robin Matthews, Washington Branch Manager

washington@dressforsuccesspittsburgh.org

Robin joined Dress for Success in 2008 and currently serves as Branch Manager for the Washington County offices.  Passionate about empowering women to attain their personal best, Robin has been involved in establishing and growing 2 of the newest regional DFS locations; Washington and Donora.  She brings over 12 years of retail and management experience to DFS.  When she is not working at DFS, she designs and creates handcrafted jewelry for her business, Leaf Tree Bead Company.  Originally form Eighty-four, Pennsylvania, she now lives in Washington, PA with her husband and their feisty dog.

 

Beth Maruskin, Fayette Branch Manager

fayette@dressforsuccesspittsburgh.org

Beth has 11 years of success under her belt as a retail manager for a major national footwear chain before joining Dress for Success in April 2010. In this new role, she is able utilize her management experience as well as fulfill her lifelong dream of being able to help and empower women to become successful and self sufficient.

She is pursuing an undergraduate degree in Business Management at California University of PA. In her spare time, Beth enjoys reading, John Grisham being one of her favorite authors. Another pastime is cooking, she loves to receive inspiration from some of her favorite Food Network stars. She recently moved to Morgantown, WV, after residing in Washington, PA for many years.