Darnell Moses

Pronouns: he/him/his Darnell is the Vice President of Development Finance at The Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) where he is responsible for administering all contracts for the department and fiscal compliance of those contracts. His expertise enhances the work in Research and Technical Assistance, including working on CDFA Publications; Government Affairs including participating in the Federal Financing Webinar; and Programming with a focus on Course Advising all areas; but specifically Tax Credit financing. Mr. Moses will play a role…

Read More

Kelsey Small

Pronouns: she/her/hers Kelsey Small is the shared Chief Financial Officer for the Environmental Finance Collaborative with financial responsibilities for five organizations: Allegheny County Conservation District, Construction Junction, Grounded Strategies, Nine Mile Run Watershed Association and Tree Pittsburgh. Kelsey is responsible for providing operational financial expertise and oversight, budgeting and business planning, and adoption of best practices in financial management. Most recently Kelsey was the Interim Director of Finance and Administration for the Carnegie Museum of Art, where she oversaw financial,…

Read More

Masoud Sayles

Pronouns: he/him/his Masoud is a lifelong resident of the Pittsburgh Area. A graduate of Penn State University with a degree in Geobiology, Masoud passionately pursues his interest in permaculture design. Prior to joining Grounded, Masoud worked joyfully alongside gardeners at his local community garden, as well as finding employment propagating plants for a local neighborhood nursery. During this time, he worked alongside members of his community in creating various gardens and on trash cleanups, engendering within him an interest in…

Read More

Ruby Velasco

Pronouns: she/her/hers Ruby grew up in Santa Ana, California – a vibrant but underinvested community in drastically segregated Orange County. She is passionate about equity, inclusivity, and being an active member of your community.  In the past, she was an assistant volunteer coordinator at The Frida Cinema, an independent arthouse theater, a camp counselor in Eastern Kentucky, and a VISTA at PCRG doing capacity building in Allegheny County. Her professional experience is in community development, resource building, and coalition management. …

Read More

Khadiza Massey

pronouns: she/her/hers Khadiza Massey, a longtime Grounded Steward-turned-employee, was born in Homewood and raised in Missouri. She is a graduate of the University of Missouri with a degree in Finance. She moved back to Pittsburgh where she now also works as the Manager for the Homewood Farmers’ Market with Grow Pittsburgh, has been elected as a Board Member at the Pittsburgh Food Council, and is a Community Ambassador to the Homewood Children's Village. Khadiza currently lives in Wilkinsburg and spends…

Read More

Skylar McGinley

Pronouns: he/him/his Skylar strives to be a part of the change that he wants to see in the world. He says "a part of" because we can't always do everything on our own. It often takes a united group of people to begin to see the changes we desire. Skylar has a Bachelor of Science in English from the College of Wooster in Wooster, OH. After graduating, he took part in the Photography Intensive course at Pittsburgh Filmmakers (now part…

Read More

Sophie Smith

Pronouns: she/her/hers Raised outside of Philadelphia, Sophie moved to St. Louis for college, where she spent time with environmental activist groups and learned the value of coalition building. Sophie earned her degree in Anthropology and Educational Studies from Washington University in St. Louis. After graduation, she relocated to Pittsburgh to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA for New Sun Rising, in Millvale. During her service year, Sophie conducted community outreach and engagement, and aided with projects surrounding Millvale's sustainable development plan.…

Read More

Wise Allen

Pronouns: he/him/his Wise is joins Grounded as a fellow from Repair the World in fighting for social justice and facilitating growth in overlooked places. He is a University of Pittsburgh graduate with a B.A in History and an unabashed nerd! As a staff member of the City Clerk's Office in downtown Pittsburgh, Wise has spent countless hours pouring over forgotten city records and ordinances. A lover of all things outdoors you can often find Wise on the trails and bike…

Read More