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About Us
Our Team
Leadership Team
Vince Ciganik
Chief Information Officer
Vince Ciganik is the Chief Information Officer of NurturePA. He is also a member of the organization’s Board of Directors. Over the past 25 years, Vince has been instrumental in the design and development of several hardware products that are still on the market today, including oxygen analyzers and mass spectrometers. He has been responsible for the architecture and development of many software products including web interfaces for managing instrumentation and web based applications for managing various types of drug therapy. Vince has a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.
Susan Crookston
Executive Director
Susan Crookston is the Executive Director of NurturePA. Having had three kids in less than three years, Susan has a deep appreciation of the joys and struggles of parenting. She’s excited to work with the team to enable NurturePA to reach its potential to provide connection and support for thousands of families. Founder of Allegheny RiverTrail Park and several other companies, Susan loves building organizations that make a difference from the ground up. She earned her BA in Ethics and Social Policy from Duke University and an MBA from the University of Virginia.
Karen Zyck Galbraith
Director of Development & Communications
Karen Zyck Galbraith is the Director of Development and Communications at NurturePA. She maintains and develops NurturePA’s website, print, digital, and email marketing, press releases, and social media. In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors for several regional nonprofits, including the Child Health Association of Sewickley and Sweetwater Center for the Arts. Karen has held positions in marketing, editing, and web design for the past 25 years. She holds a BA in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, an MA in English from DePaul University, and a PhD in English from Marquette University.
Ashley Ingram
Director of Operations
Ashley Ingram is the Director of Operations at NurturePA. Ashley helps to guide the direction of the program by working on any day-to-day tasks for the general operations of NurturePA, and pays particular attention to mentor retention, and other special projects that aid in growth and capacity building. Ashley previously worked as an elementary teacher in the Pittsburgh area and in Charleston, South Carolina. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education at Wittenberg University, and her Masters of Education in Elementary Education at the University of Pittsburgh.
Myles Mwathe
App Development Lead
Myles Mwathe is the App Development Lead for NurturePA. With a passion for problem solving through artificial intelligence, Myles brings technical expertise and people-centered perspective to NurturePA. Myles is the son of a nurse and developed an early appreciation for the healthcare field and the dedication required to help others — values that drive his approach to leveraging technology for meaningful impact. Myles graduated with both Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. He is a Machine Learning Engineer at Palo Alto Networks, where he leads AI/ML initiatives for the Endpoint Manager Team, and donates his time to NurturePA.
Brittany Reno
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Brittany Reno is the Director of Strategic Initiatives for NurturePA. In her role, Brittany works to enhance and expand NurturePA’s impact by developing collaborative working relationships with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, healthcare service providers, and funding partners. Brittany previously worked for 15 years in cross-sector community, economic, and workforce development. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Media & Professional Communications (Corporate/Community Relations) at the University of Pittsburgh and her Master’s degree in Sustainability (Urban & Energy Systems) at Chatham University.
Carolyn Sauer
Finance Manager
Carolyn Sauer is the Finance Manager for NurturePA. Carolyn brings to the organization a focus on the details, financial rigor, and a unique perspective as a mother of four children and grandmother of 18 grandchildren. Having worked for decades in finance and business management for nonprofits and for-profits alike, she’s an indispensable member of the team.
Erica Tipton
Operations Supervisor
Erica Tipton is an Operations Supervisor for NurturePA, which involves enrolling families and acting as a Team Leader to coach a team of mentors as they support moms. Erica previously worked as a middle and high school teacher in the Pittsburgh area and New York City. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Business from the University of Pittsburgh and her Master’s Degree in English Education from New York University.
Dream Team (Our Mentors)
Staff Mentors
Kelly B., Karen G., Amanda G., Savanna H., Shea O., Sherilyn S., and Rachael W.
Volunteer Mentors
Amanda B., Jen C., Charlene C., Laura C., Linda C., Stephanie D., Shari D., Jennifer E., Sobia F., Pamela F., Jennifer F., Autumn G., Margot H., Lauren J., Jill K., Colleen K., Shaunna K., Jen K., Megan L., Molly L., Phebe L., Lauren O., Anna P., Sara P., Jessica P., Nicole Q., Raiya Q., Cate R., Sydney R., Neill S., Ashley S., Katelyn S., Robin T., Debi W., Sharon W., Amber W., and Melinda W.
Board of Directors
Susan Kaminski, Chair
Susan Kaminski chairs the Board of Directors of NurturePA and is a retired executive from the semiconductor equipment industry. With a degree in physics, she has held positions at M.I.T. Lincoln Laboratory and Applied Materials. Susan has served on the board of directors for various organizations including Youth Connect, a local community collaborative organization focusing on reducing teen risky behaviors, along with Village Theater Company, Sweetwater Center for the Arts, the Sewickley YMCA, and Pittsburgh Social Venture Partners.
Tom Canfield, Co-Founder
Tom Canfield is a co-founder of NurturePA as well as a retired investment banker and businessman, running Equity Catalysts LLC, which he founded in 1999. He was an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University, served on the board of directors at Propel Schools and Auberle, and earned his MBA from Harvard University.
Vince Ciganik,
Co-Founder
Vince Ciganik is a co-founder of NurturePA and has been instrumental in the design and development of several hardware products as well as been responsible for the architecture and development of many software products including web interfaces and web-based applications. He has a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.
Judy Horgan
Judy Horgan has focused her recent efforts on improving the lives of young children in Allegheny County and western Pennsylvania. She helped create the Allegheny County Early Childhood Collaborative to join together local agencies serving children ages 0-5. Judy has served in an advisory capacity for the Office of Children, Youth and Families in Allegheny County, and worked with a local non-profit advocacy organization for children.
Philip Keys, Co-Founder
Philip Keys is a co-founder and President of NurturePA and has over 35 years of management experience in healthcare organizations including as co-founder and president of successful for-profit companies. He has served on the board of directors of a local cyber school and Chartiers Community Center. He earned his MBA from Carnegie Mellon University where he has been an invited lecturer in entrepreneurship.
Katherine Stoehr
Katherine Stoehr formerly served as the First Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, and her career has spanned nearly two decades of work on child welfare reform across multiple U.S. jurisdictions. Katherine has held executive responsibility for management of direct services, and has managed strategic planning, policy development, and revenue maximization in government and non-profit agencies. She earned a Master of Public Administration from the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, and is a proud Returned Peace Corps Volunteer.