Council Members

With over 15 years of experience developing programs that benefit the community, Adeshewa Metzger, the Bookkeeper at Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy specializes in non-profit strategic planning and accounting. She is a graduate of the other CMU, Central Michigan University, with a degree in Business Management and has minors in both Art and General Science. Adeshewa Metzger is married, has two young girls, and enjoys reading and gardening.

Adeshewa’s vision for DEI in the Pittsburgh region is “Intentional community outreach by business with DEI impacts in recruiting,  programming and stakeholder planning.”

When asked to share a fun fact, Adeshewa stated, “My daughter’s and I recently built a robot crab.”

Allison’s vision for DEI in the Pittsburgh region is “I envision a city where the arts are accessible to anyone who is interested.”

When asked to share a fun fact, Allison stated, “I much prefer cookie dough and cake batter to the actual cooked desserts!”

Allison has an MBA and BM, Music Performance from Duquesne University.

Amy’s vision for DEI in the Pittsburgh region is “to help bring more diverse and talented individuals to the area.”

She is an MBA graduate and plays the banjo!

Benjy is proud to have moved back, to say Pittsburgh can feel like a home, and to see how far this town has come.

Benjy’s vision for DEI in the Pittsburgh region is “Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives create welcoming spaces that incentivize talented young professionals to move to Pittsburgh and stay. As the workforce improves, the city improves, and that in turn attracts better and better talent. This ripple effect with small beginnings pays off in big ways. DEI isn’t just a buzzword – it’s as integral to community revitalization as a thriving business district, or a road without a pothole.”

When asked to share a fun fact, Benjy stated, “I probably live in the one log cabin that happens to be closest to downtown.”

Benjy has a BA from the University of Pittsburgh and an MFA from California College of the Arts.

Chris’s vision for DEI in the Pittsburgh region is “I’d like to see full representation and opportunity for everyone to create a truly diverse and vibrant Pittsburgh community.”

When asked to share a fun fact, Chris stated, “I coach the Pittsburgh Steelwheelers Wheelchair Basketball team.”

Chris has a B.A. in TV/Video Production from Robert Morris University.

Daniel grew up in Bradenton, Florida and recently moved to Pittsburgh.

“Since being in Pittsburgh, I have

been struck by the ways in which this city is a microcosm of much of the United States. While I am with patients, I see and hear stories of how the lived experience in Pittsburgh

differs for many depending on numerous factors. While there are seemingly endless opportunities in this city and so much potential for growth, there remain significant barriers

to harnessing this energy to benefit everyone in an

equitable way. I look forward to serving on the Next Generation Council to help define and work through these complex issues so that Pittsburgh can be regarded as a premier location for all, locals and newcomers alike.”

Daniel’s vision for DEI in the Pittsburgh region is “Fostering a more collaborative, connected, and interdisciplinary environment grounded in healing and liberation.”

When asked to share a fun fact, Daniel stated, “I am an avid cook and baker, and also enjoy making ice cream when I have free time.”

Daniel received his undergraduate degree at Saint Leo University, and attended medical school at the University of Miami.

Darrell is a Pittsburgh Native currently working at Carnegie Mellon University as a Human Resource Specialist, where he ​specializes in Data Analytics. Prior to his current role, Darrell worked at General Nutrition Inc. ​as a Benefits Administrator where he assisted employees and vendors with all benefit inquiries such as benefit enrollments and leave of absence requests.

Outside of his career at Carnegie Mellon University, Darrell is pursuing a master’s degree in Public Management from Carnegie Mellon University. Upon the completion of his master’s degree, Darrell hopes to help develop minority businesses within the Pittsburgh Region by planning new market entry strategies and business frameworks.

With this being Darrell’s second year on Vibrant Pittsburgh’s Next Generation Council, he looks to make a significant impact on retaining minority talent within the region as the council’s newly elected Co-chair.

Darrell’s motto is “All challenges can be conquered with resilience.”

“In the wise words of Quincy Jones, ‘I don’t have problems. I have puzzles.’ The key to achieving success is finding the right fit for the pieces.” – Darrell Baltimore

Itha is the Senior Civic Innovation Specialist at the City of Pittsburgh, Department of Innovation and Performance, where she ​leads the City’s Civic Tech efforts through external partnerships and is the program manager of PGHLab, the City’s urban incubator for startups. Prior to her current role, Itha served ​as a Policy Analyst for Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto, Office of Equity, focusing on special programs and initiatives that impacted vulnerable communities: digital equity and inclusion, food insecurity, land recycling, and Asian American affairs.

She is also the chef and sole owner of The Hungry Cao, offering Chinese cooking classes and private events that since 2017 has had the dual mission of ​elevating the standing of ethnic Chinese cuisine in Pittsburgh and fundraising for an intersectional social justice cause.

Itha believes in civic engagement through diverse representation and currently serves as the Impact Officer for the World Economic Forum’s Pittsburgh Global Shapers community, is a Commissioner on Governor Wolf’s Commission for Women, and serves on the Boards of: Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, Civically, Vibrant Pittsburgh, the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, and the Pittsburgh Urban Magnate (PUMP). She is also a proud high school mentor in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program.

Maple’s vision for DEI in the Pittsburgh region is “Pittsburgh has so much incredible culture, but it can be hard to find your place in the community. I hope to see individuals from all backgrounds flourish and find connections across groups, as we can do much more together than we can separately.”

When asked to share a fun fact, Allison stated, “I used to perform in a musical theatre troupe in college, and still love to connect with others through the performing arts!”

Allison has a B.A. in Economics from Cornell University.

Micah’s vision for DEI in the Pittsburgh region is “America reflects so many different kinds of beautiful people. I’d like to see the vastness of this diversity reflected in Pittsburgh across all industries and institutions. My efforts in helping undergraduates get engaged on campus and in the community will hopefully cultivate a sense of belonging and a desire to stay and work in Pittsburgh.”
When asked to share a fun fact, Micah stated, “I’ve traveled to seven different countries.”

Micah has a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Nicollete’s vision for DEI in the Pittsburgh region is “to continuously educate folks on our unconscious biases and the importance of being aware of these. My vision is for the community of Pittsburgh to keep embracing all racial, ethnic, and generational diversity and be known as a safe place for all backgrounds of life.”

Nicollete has a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology at Kent State University with a minor in Human Resource Management, and also a boating license!

Sam grew up in the Boston area and only first visited Pittsburgh once they had committed to attend Pitt. Sam has lived here ever since and loves the city!

Sam’s vision for DEI in the Pittsburgh region is to make every resident feel they can excel, every student feel they can grow, every visitor feel they want to stay, and everyone to feel they belong. By continuing to create and promote opportunities for people of diverse backgrounds our city can continue to grow and our neighborhoods that we have so much pride in will flourish more than ever!

When asked to share a fun fact, Sam stated, “I love soccer and have been coaching at a high school in the region for the past 7 years.”

Sam has a B.S. Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh – Katz Graduate School of Business.

Samson Horne serves as the Associate Manager of Digital Media at Duquesne Light Company, where he helps shape the organization’s external communication strategy by having discussions with and creating engaging content for customers on social media, and providing informative messaging in email newsletters and on the company website. He also writes press releases and generates stories for the company’s news archives. Prior to his current role, Samson was a newspaper reporter and night producer for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review where he worked as a general assignment reporter covering Pittsburgh and its eastern suburbs.

A proud brother of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Samson serves as a communications liaison for the Pittsburgh graduate (Iota Phi) chapter of the historically-Black international organization. In that role, he is responsible for public affairs for the chapter including writing press releases, sponsorship requests and coordinating media interviews with chapter officers. Samson believes in empowering Black communities through civic engagement and is enthusiastic about the work that Iota Phi has done throughout Pittsburgh neighborhoods, from feeding those in need during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic to hosting a virtual “Omega Carter G. Woodson Academy” focused on Black History, Art and STEAM curriculum for school-aged children on the weekends.

Samson is a greater-Atlanta area native who graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, where he played football and studied communications with a focus on children’s media. He decided to make the Steel City his permanent home after receiving his master’s degree in Journalism from Point Park University. He is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and Pittsburgh Black Media Federation.

He lives in Dormont with his girlfriend, Tyra, who is an attorney, and their children Kairos and Yara.

Shelby’s vision for DEI in the Pittsburgh region is “Incorporating DEI across industries is essential for Pittsburgh to continue positive growth and increase wellbeing for all folks in our region. I get excited thinking about this enormous opportunity – especially when engaging with so many of our region’s employers in my work who are already dedicated to implementing DEI strategies. It is of utmost importance that our thriving tech community take advantage of the chance to incorporate DEI in order to enhance innovations that help all of society.”

When asked to share a fun fact, Shleby stated, “I am passionate about sustainability and in my spare time work as an entrepreneur focused on the circular economy.”

Allison has a BA in Sociology from Pennsylvania State University.

Andrea Vasquez is a Pittsburgh-born native who is excited to witness and partake in the astounding changes in this revitalized city. She is a 2002 graduate from Plum Senior High School, and went on to further her education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She graduated in 2006 with a Bachelors of Science in Fashion Merchandising and Minors in Business Administration and Journalism. She was a Board of Governor’s full Scholarship Recipient, which was awarded based on academic performance and a minority background. She is a fourth-generation Mexican and Polish mix. She is currently a resident in the city of Pittsburgh.

She obtained an eight-year career in the fashion industry with such corporations as H&M, Macys and JCPennys. Her most recent position was Merchandise Execution Manager, in which she oversaw storewide operations. After this endeavor she began a career in financing. During her first three years in this industry she was the Branch Manager for the mutual and historic Dollar Bank. Over the last three years she has worked as a Group Banking Officer, and oversees business development in the regions covering twenty branches.

Andrea currently serves as a leader for the Next Generation Council through Vibrant Pittsburgh, and is focusing her efforts on collaborating organizations dedicated to retaining diverse talent in the city. She is a Board Member and Membership Chair for the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (PMAHCC.org). She is active in many chambers throughout the city, such as the North Chamber, Airport Chamber, Southpointe Chamber, and attends events on behalf of the bank to increase overall business development in various regions. She is also a member with the Pittsburgh Human Resource Association. Over the last year she was elected to serve on the Equal Opportunity Review Committee of behalf of the Mayors office. This committee reviews city bids which are presented in order to ensure compliance with Minority, Women and Disabled businesses throughout Pittsburgh. She a member of the Next Generation Council for Vibrant Pittsburgh, which is committed to retaining and attracting diverse talent in Pittsburgh. Andrea also serves on an advisory Board for Powerlink, which helps small businesses develop and implement strong business plans to increase revenue and implement strategy change.

Ashli White works at BNY Mellon where she currently manages the Global Summer Analyst Program. She is also very engaged with BNY Mellon multicultural business resource group, IMPACT where serves as their Chief of Staff. She completed her Bachelors in Advertising at Temple University in Philadelphia, as well as her Master’s degree in Human Resources Management and Employer Relations at Penn State University.

In her free time, she loves to travel, read, write and anything that spikes her adrenaline (IE sky diving, bungee jumping, fast cars, etc.)

Audra Beatty is the Corporate HR Manager at Carmeuse, a global mining & manufacturing company specializing in high calcium and dolomitic lime and limestone products. Audra joined Carmeuse in 2014 as HR Generalist. Currently as Corporate HR Manager, Audra oversees Corporate programs and vendors, business processes, immigration, policies and employee relations. Recently, Audra acted as Project Manager leading a global team comprised of HR, Finance and IT members to standardize and automate their termination processes globally, significantly reducing their risk and liability while increasing efficiency. Audra is enthusiastic about talent development, diversity planning, process efficiency and strategic planning for the future of work.

Audra holds a Bachelors in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh, a Masters in Business Administration and a Masters in Human Resources; both earned at Robert Morris University. Born and raised in East Brady, a small town 60-miles north of Pittsburgh on the Allegheny River, Audra now resides in Robinson Township where she is active in her community; participating in their homeowners association board of directors and volunteering at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church. As a military spouse, Audra is carrying her commitment to veterans into Carmeuse through outreach and hiring. Audra and her husband, Alex, enjoy spending time with their families, exercising and enjoying the outdoors and can often be found on the Montour Trail with their dog, Grover.

Brittney Krieger is an HRIS Analyst for Bayer US. Brittney is active in diversity and inclusion initiatives at Bayer and has established Pittsburgh branches of 2 Employee Resource Groups (AAHA and BLEND) at the company aimed with increasing awareness engagement and retention of African American, Hispanic and LGBT + employees of Bayer. Originally from New Jersey, Brittney has lived in Pittsburgh for the past 12 years and finds herself being a constant advocate for the potential of the region.She holds a BA in Psychology from Carnegie Mellon University with a focus on Organizational behavior.

Emma has lived in the Pittsburgh region for just over two years. She recently made the commitment to stay in Pittsburgh after completing her Master in Public Administration degree at the University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA). During her time as GSPIA, Emma found a sense of community in the region that she has never felt before. As a new Pittsburgh resident and an advocate for the diversity and inclusion, Emma finds the Next Generation Council to be an ideal way to remain active in her community and focus on improving racial equity and generational inclusion. Emma has join the Next Generation Council to contribute to the intentionality and effectiveness of efforts to grow and improve the region, ensuring an inclusive, welcoming, and thriving region for all.

Hannah Darkey is the Corporate Recruiter at Larson Design Group. She has worked in the marketing, sales, technology, leadership, engineering, architecture, and education sectors. While spending the past 5+ years in recruiting she developed a passion for finding and matching top talent to the best possible careers available. She has helped many people, and organizations find the best career fit on both sides of the table. She is a member of Larson Design Group’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee, and is passionate about the organization’s commitment to diversity & inclusion Hannah holds a M.S. in Human Resources Management from La Roche University, and a B.S. Degree in Business from Point Park University. Hannah was born and raised in the Greater Pittsburgh area, and she is excited to be part of the conversation with the Next Generation Council.

Ja’Lisa L. Brown, MBA is a Pittsburgh native. As a young girl, her dreams and passions were centered around improving her life and those around her. Despite becoming a mother in her teens and early twenties, her thirst for knowledge served as a motivating force that propelled her to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Business and MBA from Point Park University. Over the years, she has built a reputation with extensive experience navigating the corporate world in financial services, healthcare, human resources, and benefits and compensation. She is currently a Benefits Specialist with Alcoa USA Corporation, Pittsburgh, and her relentless thirst for knowledge has led her to pursue a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Robert Morris University.

Ja’Lisa’s life can be inexplicably explained by three paradigms: faith, inspiration and empowerment. As a spiritual and religious person of faith, she believes in the practical application of her beliefs to improving her community. During difficult trials, she drew inspiration from her faith, and her mother who served as a strong role model. As a result, she was continually inspired and empowered to endure the difficult times. These times inspired Ja’Lisa to give back by creating ‘A Queen with Purpose, LLC’, a brand geared toward the empowerment of women. By combining her extensive skills and experiences, both personal and professional, she aims to equip women to pursue their aspirations, without fear, hesitation or doubt.

Ja’Lisa is a Human Resources Professional, Life Strategist and a motivational speaker for women. Through ‘A Queen with Purpose, LLC’, she is offering unparalleled access to equip women with the personal and professional skills and tools they need to embody their aspirations. Ja’Lisa currently serves at the Professional Development Co-Chair for the Urban League Young Professionals of Greater Pittsburgh. She has also been awarded the When She Thrives 2019 Changemaker Award.

Jessica is the Corporate Communications Manager at Koppers, a global wood-preservation technology company, where she is responsible for informing and engaging internal and external company stakeholders. In this role, she works collaboratively to lead global internal and digital communications, media relations, key employee engagement initiatives and community relations efforts.

Previously in her role as an External Communications Representative at U. S. Steel, Jessica handled media relations, corporate and crisis communications, and served as a spokeswoman for the FORTUNE 200 company. Her work in this role was honored by the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) Pittsburgh chapter. In 2016 she was named the chapter’s Rising Star, an annual award given to a young professional who has shown outstanding work in the public relations field.

Prior to joining U. S. Steel’s External Communications team, Jessica served as a Community Relations Representative, managing the company’s corporate and foundation giving programs. She was responsible for cultivating community relationships, making strategic giving recommendations to key senior leaders and coordinating employee giving campaigns. While in this role, she assisted in the creation and implementation of a new corporate giving strategy and led initiatives to move program administration to updated web-based platforms.

Jessica served on PRSA Pittsburgh’s board from 2013-2016 and was a member of Leadership Pittsburgh’s Leadership Development Initiative XXII in 2015. Currently, she volunteers as a mentor with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh. A 2011 Duquesne Univ

Kathryn L. Gigler, M.S., has dedicated her career to education and advocacy. Her graduate work in cognitive neuroscience has provided her with extensive experience in research design and data analysis, including behavioral interventions related to mindfulness and movement in older adults and caregivers. Her detailed program analysis and diverse curriculum creation has helped to advance the educational programming of nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Kathryn served as executive director of the Women’s Center at Elizabeth City State University and was integral in the formation of the first LGBTQ+ community organization in the region. She’s worked as an educator and victim advocate for both Pittsburgh Action Against Rape and the YWCA of Greater Chicago, where she’s advocated for survivors of violence, provided resources for loved ones and created workshops on post-traumatic stress. She seeks to continue Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s transformative work in community education, accessibility and equity.

Ketwana Schoos passionately defines herself as a student-centered and equityminded professional who has over 15 years of experience as both an educator and administrator in the field of higher education and student affairs. Her work has largely focused on creating a welcoming academic and campus environment that promotes student success through diversity and inclusion educational programming, leadership development opportunities, and cross-cultural engagement. Most recently, she spent the last 6 years as the Assistant Dean of Students at Washington & Jefferson College, where her primary responsibilities included oversight of diversity and leadership initiatives, campus activities, student organizations, emergency and crisis management, the bias incident reporting system, and serving as a Title IX Investigator. She also teaches courses in subject areas including Sociology, Diversity and Social Justice, African American history, Leadership, and College Orientation.

Ketwana was born and raised in Albion, Michigan. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Central Michigan University (Spanish major, Political Science minor), two Master’s Degrees from Indiana University (African American and African Diaspora Studies, Higher Education and Student Affairs), and a Doctorate of Education from the University of Pittsburgh (Administrative and Policy Studies, Higher Education Management concentration).

She has held multiple leadership positions on the local, state, regional and national levels within several professional organizations, including National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and her sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. In her spare time, she enjoys watching football, traveling, reading, and trivia-related television game shows.

Laura Graeber is an IT Consultant for Bayer U.S. LLC. She is responsible for Investment Management and Project Systems processes across the global system architecture. Laura has been very active in the inclusion and diversity initiatives at Bayer over the last 3+ years. She has established a Pittsburgh branch of the Business Resource Group Family Connections, promoting Bayer’s commitment to an inclusive work life environment by enhancing efforts to ensure contributions at work are balanced with the employee’s fulfillment of personal needs and family responsibilities. Laura is currently the Family Connections National Events Chair supporting seven locations and one field branch across the U.S.

Laura was born and raised in Pittsburgh. She spent four years working abroad in Cologne, Germany but when relocating back to the U.S. decided to once again call Pittsburgh home. She holds a BSBA in Finance from Robert Morris University and a MS in Accounting from Duquesne University. Laura has joined the Next Generation Council to contribute to the inclusion and diversity topics of the Pittsburgh area.

Logan Williams is the Organizational Development Manager for the Allegheny County Airport Authority, which owns and operates the Pittsburgh International and Allegheny County Airports.

Mr. Williams is responsible for managing organizational development and change management initiatives and projects, which are aligned to short and long-term business objectives, to build organizational capability, effectiveness and sustainability.

Mr. Williams is a graduate of Robert Morris University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications, and a Master of Science degree in Human Resources Management. Additionally, he holds two professional certifications in Human Resources, the PHR and SHRM-CP.

Nelson Cooper IV is Underwriter in the Corporate & Institutional Banking (C&IB) line of business at The PNC Financial Services Group. Specifically, Nelson works in the Regional Credit Products Group providing strategic financial and credit analysis for customers in PNC’s Financial Institutions and Professional Sports verticals. Nelson is passionate about giving back to the community and holds numerous leadership positions in and out of the workplace. At work, Nelson helped launch and is the Manager of the PNC Women Connect Employee Business Resource Group (EBRG) Male Ambassador Program which is a group of men advocating on behalf of women in the workplace. In addition, he served as the Vice President of the African American EBRG for two years. In addition to being a member of the Vibrant Pittsburgh Next Generation Council, Nelson is involved in several other organizations in the following capacities:

• Community Liaison & 18U Head Baseball Coach – Pittsburgh Pirates Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities (RBI)
• Member, Board of Trustees – Fund for Advancement of Minorities through Education (FAME)
• Member, Board of Directors Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project (PUMP) • Member, Board of Directors – Pennsylvania Collation Against Rape (PCAR)
• Member – Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh Young Professional Outreach Board (YPO)
• Member, Board of Directors – Ozanam, Inc.

Given his dedication to the community, Nelson was honored by The Incline Magazine as a part of the 2019, Who’s Next Pittsburgh: Community Leaders & Social Activists – 40 Under 40 Award Winners. In addition, Nelson was honored by the Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network as an After-School Champion in the Policy Category.

Nelson moved to Pittsburgh from Seattle, Washington after graduating Summa Cum Laude from North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in December 2015. At NCCU, Nelson was a member of the baseball team and majored in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

Shanel Divito has spent the last 11 years in non-profit organizations and has achieved results in a variety of rolesProject Coordinator, Training Specialist, HR Manager, and Senior Recruiter. This experience has led Shanel to her current role as the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Pittsburgh Mercy Health System. As an experienced Human Resources professional, Shanel has brought a strategic vision to Pittsburgh Mercy Health System, and has ensured that the agency is currently embracing and implementing Diversity and Inclusion in their practices by creating their training curriculum and objective standards. In 2019, Pittsburgh Mercy was selected as a finalist at the Engaging Pittsburgh: Innovative People Practices Awards hosted by the Pittsburgh Human Resources Association (PHRA) in the category of Diversity and Inclusion.

Shanel received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro and later went on to obtain her Master of Arts in Industrial and Labor Relations from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Shanel keeps herself aware of changes in her industry and is significantly involved in a variety of Human Resources organizations (National Association of African Americans in Human Resources, Pittsburgh Human Resource Association, and Society for Human Resource Management). In her free time, Shanel enjoys biking, yoga, and exploring new restaurants.