Archives: People

Kevin joined Grounded in November 2011 as a result of our participation in “The Environmental Finance Collaborative”, a pilot program that will provide four environmental organizations with high level strategic and operational financial expertise via a shared Chief Financial Officer. Our partners in this initiative are Tree Pittsburgh, Construction Junction, and Nine Mile Run Watershed Association. Kevin will be responsible for providing operational financial expertise and oversight, budgeting and business planning, support for the Finance Committee of the Board and…

Shannon is an independent consultant that provides accounting services to Grounded Strategies. Prior to working with Grounded, she was the Operations Director for Construction Junction, a nonprofit organization that focuses on conservation through the reuse of building materials. She has a BA in Sociology from Hiram College and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh with an emphasis in Strategy and Entrepreneurship. Shannon lives in Wilkinsburg with her husband Jonathan and rescued Norwegian Elkhound mix Colby. She enjoys baking, traveling and…

James arrived at GTECH shortly before he started the Master’s of Sustainability program at Chatham University in 2012. His educational career has focused on the systems of communities and how these can impact the overall health of our neighborhoods. Over the past several years, James has managed numerous project for GTECH including two ReClaim Neighborhood Scale Initiatives. James believes the residents of Pittsburgh region are resilient and doing amazing things in the places they live. Prior to his work at…

Ian holds a master’s degree in Public Policy and Affairs with a focus on environmental policy from the University at Albany:SUNY and a bachelor’s degree in Conservation Science from Muskingum University. Ian has multiple years of experience working in the government and nonprofit sectors in land use planning, community development and environmental education in cities throughout the country. Ian enjoys using his planning and policy background at GTECH. Working at GTECH provides Ian an opportunity to work on environmental topics…

Pronouns: she/her/hers She is passionate about community, health, and youth! She endeavors to work and live a life that supports these. Shequaya is a native of Pittsburgh who graduated from Peabody High School; attended Pennsylvania State University to study Health Policy and Administration and earned her Bachelor of Science degree; she has her Master in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. In her spare time, Shequaya is the President of the Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club (PMTCC), MajorForce Youth…

Pronouns: she/her/hers Rebecca Mizikar brings over 20 years of experience in community design and planning to Grounded. Rebecca began working with Grounded Strategies 6 years ago as a consultant landscape architect, and has now been on staff for 3+ years. Her first projects were design/renderings for vacant lots and a vision plan for the St. John's Green, more recently she has been involved in community stormwater management strategies and projects that connect youth to natural play spaces. Rebecca loves that…

Kufere is a native of Pittsburgh's Hill District. After graduating from Central Catholic High School in 2011, Kufere studied Economics and African American studies at Temple University. Kufere then moved to Detroit and taught 7th and 8th grade United States History. After teaching for two years in Detroit, Kufere moved to Jackson, Mississippi to work as a Community Advocate at the Southern Poverty Law Center. Kufere is a firm believer and advocate for a community's ability to determine their destiny through…

Pronouns: she/her/hers Anna arrived at Grounded shortly after finishing her Master’s of Public Administration (MPA) degree at Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs. In graduate school, Anna studied nonprofit management and completed a fellowship at Sycamore Land Trust. Before joining the team, she served as an AmeriCorps volunteer in Boulder, Colorado and worked for the University of Kansas Environmental Studies Program. Anna attended the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk!) for her undergraduate degree, studying Public Policy and Environmental Studies.…

Rachel was born and raised outside of Baltimore. After graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in Environmental Health, Rachel took an interest in environmental justice and urban forestry. Before moving to Pittsburgh, she worked for three years in East Baltimore coordinating projects that educated youth about gardening and the environment. While doing that work, she enjoyed building relationships with her students and seeing how they responded to outdoor environments. At Grounded, she is excited to be a…

Lydia brings to GTECH a bachelor's degree in Natural Resources from Michigan State University. She is excited to be able to blend her science background with community development by improving land use practices and creating community assets on vacant lots. Throughout college, she worked for an infectious disease laboratory studying vector borne disease, specifically Lyme Disease. As a lab and field technician, she assisted with all aspects of the study from data management to mammal trapping. After college, Lydia completed an AmeriCorps term working for the Ingham County Land Bank's…

Tacumba went to Slippery Rock University to study Environmental Studies for 2 years. After his sophomore year, he decided to decompress and explore other interests. That led him to the S.C.A., where he worked in Hazelwood as a Community Crew leader. He then studied Philosophy, World Religions and African American History at CCAC's North Campus. He also enrolled in the Bidwell Training Center's Horticulture Technology Program. He will graduate in Fall 2016, and will join GTECH full-time upon graduation! Tacumba…