Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. Announces Leadership Development Initiative XXXIV Cohort

Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. (LPInc.) is proud to announce our Leadership Development Initiative (LDI) Cohort for the 2026 – 2027 program year. The LDI XXXIV cohort comprises fifty-one high-performing, developing leaders from across our region, committed to strengthening their leadership capacity and deepening their civic engagement.

For over forty years, Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. has been dedicated to developing a diverse group of leaders to serve and advance Southwestern Pennsylvania. LPInc. produces programming, partnerships, and connections through cohort-based programs, executive networking, nonprofit board matching, and a robust, cross-disciplinary, multi-generational alumni network. Core programs educate executive-level leaders, high-performing professionals, and current or former military service members. These programs serve as benchmarks across the country and have inspired other organizations within the region.

Specifically, the Leadership Development Initiative program advances the growth and learning of high-performing professionals who are gaining influence within their organizations and are looking to advance their careers and communities. The LDI experience is centered around three program pillars, which include leadership skills and tools, community engagement, and network building.

Jennifer Daurora, LPInc. President & CEO, thanks the members of this year’s cohort and their referrers, commenting: “Representing a range of organizations and industries across Southwestern Pennsylvania, the incoming Leadership Development Initiative (LDI) cohort brings together a dynamic group of high-potential leaders with the experience, curiosity, and drive to make a difference in our region. Through LDI, they’ll build the skills, relationships, and community perspective to lead with greater impact, bringing new ideas and insights to their organizations while becoming better equipped to serve our communities.”

The kick-off of the thirty-fourth LDI cohort will be held in mid-September with a welcome reception at the Kamin Science Center, followed by an opening retreat the following week that will begin their learning experience. Afterward, the LDI XXXIV cohort will convene 1-2 times per month to explore their own relationship with key leadership capacities needed for success in the professional landscape and beyond. The program will also engage these developing professionals in a Community Impact Project throughout the program year, where they apply these newly acquired skills within a community in our region, allowing them to gain a better appreciation of civic leadership and contribute to a specific neighborhood development initiative that showcases and enhances the host community.

A full list of the LDI XXXIV cohort is as follows:

Maura Bainbridge, Industrial Arts Workshop
Alisa Balestra-Hamill, Allegheny Conference on Community Development
Alicia Barnes, Deeplocal
Brandon Born, Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute
Carolyn Buongiorno, enGen
Deanna David, Variety the Children’s Charity
Kara Davidson, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
Michael Davila, University of Pittsburgh
JB Dindak, Hill International
Morgan Dray, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Inshirah Durrett, The Buncher Company
Austin Everett, Grossman Yanak & Ford LLP
Lauren Ewing, Highmark Health
Jayna Fittipaldo, Mascaro Construction
Jeremy Fusaro, University of Pittsburgh
Terrell Galloway, Pro Max Fence Systems
Keeka Grant, Allegheny County Health Department
Bill Groom, Waldron Private Wealth
Morgan Elizabeth Hartley, HICO America
Karlie Haywood, Penn State Greater Allegheny, Education Resource Center
Kiara Higgins, Partner4Work
Julia Homa, Peoples Natural Gas
Mary Howell, FedEx
Nicholas Hudson, City of Pittsburgh, Department of Public Safety
Patrick Joyal, Pittsburgh Pirates
Vanessa Kishur, WQED
Brian Knight, Homeless Children’s Education Fund
Joshua Laughlin, Eaton
Nick Leone, Schneider Downs & Co., Inc.
Justin E. Lewis, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
Frank Lo Castro, Giant Eagle, Inc.
Quinn Lundberg, Highmark Inc.
Kinsey McInturf, DFL Legal
Ian Menego, Bayer U.S. LLC
Angelica Miller, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
Maggie Moses, FedEx
Allison M. O’Donovan, Highmark Health
Benjamin Provil, Koppers Inc.
Heather Rourke, The Pittsburgh Promise
Mary Claire Schneider, Deloitte
Tenesha Smith, Riverside Center for Innovation
Jennifer L. Snyder, PITT OHIO
Seth So, Eaton
Mike Storm, K&L Gates LLP
Phil Swartzlander, Equipment & Controls Inc.
Ryan Taylor, Auberle
Glenn Thompson, PNC Bank
Amy Virostek, Bayer U.S. LLC
Jacob Williamson, Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh
Luke Wischnowski, Global Tax Management, Inc.
Steven Zielen, PNC Bank

About Leadership Pittsburgh Inc.:     
Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. (LPInc.) is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to developing a diverse group of leaders to serve the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. For individuals who are poised to advance to their next level of community impact, LPInc. amplifies leaders’ unique potential through expert-level leadership tools, community connections, and an influential community of support. Since its founding in 1983, LPInc. has believed in the promise of Southwestern Pennsylvania and the power of engaged community leaders to shape its future.

To achieve our mission, LPInc. produces programming, partnerships, and connections through cohort-based programs, executive networking, nonprofit board matching, and a robust, cross-disciplinary, multi-generational alumni network. Selection-based programs include Leadership Pittsburgh, Leadership Development Initiative, and the Community Leadership Course for Veterans™. Programs address critical and timely regional topics, foster collaboration between the business and the civic sector, and position leaders as catalysts for positive change. For more information on Leadership Pittsburgh Inc., call (412) 392-4505 or email info@lpinc.org.

Leadership Pittsburgh Inc.: We open eyes, minds, and doors.