Alex Kluge Alex joined Grounded Strategies shortly after beginning his master’s degree in public policy and management at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College. Before arriving in Pittsburgh, Alex worked at USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nepal, where he worked on community development and food security projects. After 4 years of internationally-focused work, Alex has grown passionate about domestic environmental health, land use, and economic development issues. Throughout…Read More
Tiger Shiyuan Wang Pronouns: she/her/hers Tiger is a fifth-year landscape architecture student at Pennsylvania State University, who focuses on urban development and land use planning. She will pursue a graduate school in real estate development after graduating from Stuckeman School in the fall of 2020. Previously, she has worked with professors learning and exploring the landscape world in GIS track and interned at a real estate firm as a marketing intern. Tiger is excited to work with the landscape team to develop a…Read More
Katherine Laub Katherine is a junior Environmental Engineering student at the University of Pittsburgh. Having grown up in Philadelphia, Katherine has always been driven to resolve environmental issues in urban environments in ways that will positively impact local communities. Her interest in watershed management and water quality issues began in high school when she worked as a Community Conservation Corps member of the Student Conservation Association in Valley Forge, PA, and continued when she participated in a week-long camping and canoeing expedition…Read More
Gina Winstead Assistant Executive Director, Pittsburgh Downtown Community Development Corporation Gina Winstead, born and raised in the once booming steel town of McKeesport PA, has always been driven by her appreciation for community activism, social justice and a desire to find creative solutions to promote her hometown and the city of Pittsburgh. After studying Psychology and graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, she has worked in the private and public sector engaging in community projects, social services and the energy sector. In…Read More
Ben Milleville Babst Calland Ben advises a variety of businesses, from emerging companies to multinational enterprises, on corporate and commercial matters. Ben also helps nonprofits navigate through the complex legal and regulatory regime governing tax-exempt organizations. When not in the office, Ben tries to spend his time outdoors, where can finding him hiking local trails, bird-watching, and walking his dog in Frick Park.Read More
Raqueeb Bey Uptown Ambassador “If utilized properly, [energy] can be a force to be reckoned with" About Me. I have lived in Uptown for 32 years and am the proud mother of six wonderful children - my oldest is 23 and my baby is 2 years old. I am on the board of directors for Uptown Partners, and the Landslide Community Farm, and serve as the President (and Founder) of a grassroots youth program called Mama Africa's Green Scouts. As a community activist, I enjoy doing…Read More
Natalie Thomas ReClaim South Ambassador A lifelong resident of Beltzhoover, Natalie took the initiative to start the "Positive Effect Garden" across the street from her house. During her time in the ReClaim South program, she hopes to learn more about gardening and continue to encourage the creative do-gooding of the neighborhood kids. Click here to learn more about her project, The Beltzhoover Unified Positive Effect Garden.Read More
Gordon Hodnett ReClaim South Ambassador, 2014 For nearly 50 years, Gordon has lived in Beltzhoover, and he can vividly recount how the community used to be a thriving, active place. Today, there are less people and more vacancy and his favorite spot is his back porch and enjoys walking around McKinley Park. Through the program he wants to grow green things to beautify his block. Click here to learn more about his project, The Garden on Gearing. ReClaim South Sustaining Momentum Ambassador,…Read More
Linda Piso ReClaim South Ambassador, 2014 Like a true Pittsburgher, Linda left for a number of years, only to boomerang back to the 'burgh. She is excited to see her Library being more active and plans to partner with them to create a community garden. Her hope is that it will bring together different groups of neighbors (including her newest neighbors from Bhutan) together to socialize, work and eat together. ReClaim South Sustaining Momentum Ambassador, 2015 As a resident of Knoxville, Linda…Read More
Gracie Brickner Pronouns: She/They Gracie is originally from southeastern Connecticut. She received her undergraduate degree in Psychology and Anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2018. Gracie has worked for various nonprofits around the city in community outreach, programming, and communication roles as well as a community organizer for the United Steelworkers. Gracie is currently pursuing their Master of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh in Community, Organization, and Social Action with a certificate in Human Services Management. Gracie is excited…Read More
Cheryl Ruffin ReClaim South Ambassador, 2014 As a Pastor at St. Paul AME, Cheryl is already dedicated to the enhancement of her neighborhood. She moved back to Pittsburgh from San Francisco with her family to come back to a very vacated Knoxville. Although her neighborhood is a little rough around the edges, she is quick to point out the quality of her neighbors and congregation. Click here to learn more about her project, the Beloved Community Garden of Hope. ReClaim South Sustaining…Read More
Isabella Hartley pronouns: she/her Isabella was born and raised in Pittsburgh PA, where she adopted her love for helping others. She is a senior studying Social Work at the University Of Pittsburgh. She is also minoring in Public Service and Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies. After school, she plans to get her Masters's in Public Administration. Isabella is passionate about empowering individuals through community engagement and activism. In the future, she aspires to work in Nonprofit Management. She is excited to learn more about environmental…Read More