board of directors
Erica Cochran
Erica currently works as the Director of Development for NurturePA. She has over 13 years of experience in the nonprofit sector ranging from direct service to development. Her first experience within the field was working with individuals with physical and/or cognitive disabilities living independently in the community. Her time spent providing support to those individuals left a lasting impression on her and she plans to use her skills to support the mission of Evolve-Coaching. Erica was born and raised in Pittsburgh and enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters.
Steven Fisher
Steven is a professional auditor and accountant who has a strong background in the industry working with nonprofit organizations. This includes understanding their user and financial controls, providing data analysis on budgeting expenditures and revenues for programming, and complying with the accounting standards and codifications applicable for nonprofit organizations. Prior experiences include External Auditor and Nonprofit Tax Accountant at Pittsburgh-based S.R. Snodgrass, P.C. and Learn & Earn Grant Accounting Specialist at Partner4Work Pittsburgh. He firmly believes in Evolve's mission to make Pittsburgh an Autism-Liveable city and to use his auditing expertise to carry on this mission. In his free time, Steven likes to go on long walks, watch trains at the World Famous Horseshoe Curve, and spend time with his bearded dragon named Krystal.
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Daphna Gans, Ph.D.
Daphna Gans is an expert in health policy, health access, health care delivery, quality improvement, and evaluation research. Daphna is an author and public speaker, who serves on a variety of boards and holds a public elected position as a School Board Director at the Upper St. Clair School District. She is a former Associate Research Professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine and researcher at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. Her research on services for developmentally disabled adults and on modules of care for children with life-limiting health was utilized in instituting health policies in California. As a mother of a young adult who successfully utilizes Evolve coaching services, Daphna is excited to serve on the board and contribute to its mission.
Colin Healey
Colin is a filmmaker, teacher, copywriter, and proud Evolve board member with a special focus on Evolve’s arts education offerings. As a neurodivergent and learning disabled student who struggled in school, he has developed a passion for creating experiential learning alternatives to traditional education at arts programs across the Northeast. The New York Times called his award-winning feature film HOMEMAKERS - filmed in Pittsburgh - a "raggedy ode to the DIY ethos" and the film made Bust Magazine write "Healey nails it!”. He currently lives with his wife and two dogs in a tiny New England hilltown, but relishes any opportunity he gets to come to Pittsburgh and work with Evolve.
Erin McPeak
Erin works for ZOLL LifeVest in New Product Planning and is Secretary of Evolve’s Board. As part of the Evolve Coaching team, she hopes to leverage her business experience to help reach more individuals in the community.
Angella Morgan
Angella is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in fiscal management, donor relations and stewardship, and. Currently serving as the lead Donor Relations & Stewardship Associate at the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School and College of Business Administration, Angella excels in developing, implementing, and supporting programs that enhance an organizations resources, fundraising and audience engagement.
Matt Pierce
Matt is a Principal Civil Engineer for SWCA Environmental Consultants in Pittsburgh. He holds his professional engineering license in 18 states and primarily works on energy projects throughout the country. As part of the Evolve Coaching team, Matt hopes to assist Evolve with their future construction development and support for Evolve's mission. Matt enjoys watching sports, playing golf, and spending time with his family.
Gerri Sperling
Gerri is a lawyer with the Pittsburgh law firm of Strassburger McKenna Gutnick and Gefsky. She brings over 40 years of legal experience to her diverse practice areas, including health law, adoptions, guardianships, reproductive law and employment law. She has significant experience representing both grassroots and larger nonprofit organizations and has served on several nonprofit boards. As a parent of a neurodivergent young adult who was one of Evolve’s
early clients, Gerri is passionate about Evolve’s mission. In her free time, Gerri enjoys reading, studying French and German on Duolingo, yoga, cooking and following the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Justin Williams, Board President
Justin works in Quality Assurance for Bayer US LLC and serves as the Board President for Evolve-Coaching. He has worked for many years to push Pittsburgh to be a more inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible place to live for all individuals. He firmly believes in Evolve-Coaching’s mission and is dedicated to helping the organization meet their goals and aspirations. In his free time, Justin enjoys spending time with his family, watching and participating in sports, and cooking.
Patricia Wright
Patricia’s commitment to ensuring all individuals with autism have access to effective services and supports has guided her work for more than 30 years, from her earliest responsibilities as a special
educator, to state and national-level program management.