Our Team
The Assemble team is approachable, passionate about their work, and reflects the community we serve.
Nina Barbuto
(she/they)
Executive Director
Nina’s passion for art, new media, and social learning led her to found Assemble, a community space for arts + technology, in 2011. On her own, Nina works in a variety of media including architecture, film, sound, and installation, often exploring the idea of recycling noise into a system or elevating the vernacular to the spectacular. Nina co-founded I Made It! Market in 2007. An idea based on urban acupuncture, this nomadic market partners with community, arts, and non-profit organizations to raise funds and awareness to assist in improving their communities while allowing local artists and crafters to sell their wares. Nina holds degrees in architecture from Southern California Institute of Architecture and Carnegie Mellon University, where she is also adjunct faculty.
Contact: nina@assemblepgh.org
Devon Dill
(they/them)
In-House Programs Manager
Devon Dill is an artist and educator with a passion for community building, informal education, and making things. She holds an MFA in Photography from Parsons The New School for Design, and focuses on exploring the intersection of traditional craft and technology. Her art incorporates a variety of media and thrives on change, which encourages her mission to be a life long learner. Her hope is to provide the tools for both young and old minds alike to take agency over their own learning experiences. In her free time Devon enjoys exploring the outdoors, riding her motorcycle, and cooking.
Contact: devon@assemblepgh.org
Ja’Sonta Roberts
(she/her)
On the Go Programs Manager
Ja’Sonta Roberts is a dynamic individual with a rich tapestry of roles and passions. She is a mixed race African-American educator, program manager, performer, director, playwright, actor, advocate, mother, daughter, friend, partner, troublemaker, and agitator. Ja’Sonta is a strong believer in equitable futures for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and DACS (Descendants of Africans, Caribbeans, and Afro-Latinxs) Descendants. Her educational background includes studying performance and education/child development at Point Park University in where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. Ja’Sonta’s boundless energy and dedication carry over to her work at Assemble.
Contact: ja’sonta@assemblepgh.org
Marcel Lamont Walker
(he/him)
Grant Writer and Coordinator
Marcel Lamont (M.L.) Walker is a creative communicator who operates across arts, education, culture, and nonprofit work. He entered the world of arts education in 1993 as a graphic-prose instructor at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. He has since partnered with regional clients including the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, Slippery Rock University, and WYEP. From 2018-2023, he served as the president of the board of directors for the ToonSeum, Pittsburgh’s nonprofit Museum of Comic & Cartoon Art. In 2024, he was designated a Pittsburgh Cultural Treasure by The Heinz Endowments and the Ford and POISE Foundations. He has a deep fondness for Superman and can work the character into any conversation, given enough time.
Contact: marcel@assemblepgh.org
Ada Siobhan Griffin
(she/her)
In House Youth Programs Coordinator
Ada Siobhan Griffin (she/her) comes from a background in arts education. She is rooted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Ada‘s artistic practice focuses on history and healing, with studio arts and museum teaching experience. Ada graduated from Pittsburgh CAPA’s Visual Arts department before earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Art History from Yale University. Since then, she has led arts programming in public preschools, world-class museums, libraries, and nursing homes. Ada has received several grants for her previous work and organized public art projects on behalf of institutions including the Frick Pittsburgh, the ARThouse, the Carnegie Library, Yale University, and the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.
Sophia Bender
(she/her)
On the Go Program Coordinator
Sophia is a maker educator who loves all things geeky. She majored in English (fiction) Writing and Psychology at Pitt, and studied Learning Sciences for her Masters at Indiana University, Bloomington. There she developed a passion for maker learning and discovered a new hobby–sewing cosplay costumes!–that also has many educational implications. Since grad school, she has put into practice STEAM and maker learning in many settings both inside and outside of school. At Assemble, she hopes to help young makers develop agency, creativity, problem-solving and many other skills, so they can then go on to change the world!
Email: sophia@assemblepgh.org
Evelyn Adair
(she/her)
Adult Learning Coordinator
Evelyn is a teaching artist with a love for community learning and material exploration. She grew up in Thousand Oaks, California, where she enjoyed hiking, climbing, and photography. From there, she lived in San Francisco for 4 years and then in Chicago for 10 years. She moved to Pittsburgh in the fall of 2021, looking for a creative community and a city she could be inspired by. Evelyn has over 15 years of education experience both in and out of the classroom. She found her passion for teaching in after-school programs, culminating in her class Origami Paper Jam, which she taught professionally for 5 years! Outside of Assemble, Evelyn is learning to dance, sing, and paint!
Contact: evelyn@assemblepgh.org
Veronica Rae
(she/her)
On the Go Programs Outreach Coordinator
Veronica is a Garfield Native who started off at Assemble in 2011 as an afterschool student and went on to work at Assemble summer camps, Teens as Teachers, Hack the Future and more! She is also a proud teacher of the Afro-
future curriculum. Veronica graduated from Barack Obama Academy of International Studies in 2019. Veronica is also a photographer who learned her digital and film skills at the Manchester Craftsmans Guild, she is now the owner of Veronica Rae Photography™, a Black Female Owned Photography service. Veronica also has received her RAMP certification. Veronica loves to create safe learning environments, seeing, all things STEAM, travel and caramel iced coffee!
Instagram: @pghphotos.vee
Facebook: Veronica Rae Photography
Email: veronica@assemblepgh.org
Ellen Jones
(she/her)
In House Assemble Teacher
Ellen is a digital illustrator and educator with a passion for learning and making. She holds a BFA in Graphic Design from SUNY Purchase College where she found a love of printmaking, art history, and teaching. Ellen has over 5 years of teaching experience in both digital and fine arts programs. She strives to create educational spaces that encourage exploration, curiosity, and creates a welcoming environment for all students. Outside of work Ellen enjoys crocheting and spending time with her two cats.
Email: ellenj@assemblepgh.org
Zim Syed
(he/him)
Youth Programs Media Coordinator
Zim Syed is a Bangladeshi-American artist, born in Atlanta and moved to the United Arab Emirates soon after. He spent his childhood between the USA, Bangladesh, and the UAE, and his upbringing and experiences as a Bangladeshi American have vastly shaped his life and work.
Email: zim@assemblepgh.org
Tatiana Krzesicki
(they/them)
On The Go Curriculum Coordinator and Teacher
Tatiana is a local artist and maker with a background in environmental studies. They enjoy making sculptural jewelry out of a range of soft materials, using many different fiber arts. Their drawn artwork focuses on fantastical details of life just outside of view. In their work as an educator, they value adjusting to create new spaces for students to experience agency and confidence.
Email: tatiana@assemblepgh.org
Melannie Taylor
(she/her)
Assemble Teacher
Melannie is a playwright, sculptor, and teaching artist from the Northside of Pittsburgh, PA. Directing Playwriting Production BFA at The University of the Arts. Melannie’s work has been produced at the New Hazlett Theatre for the 2023- 2024 CSA Season and with the Throughline Theatre located at The Carnegie Stage. With a passion for community outreach, she has aligned herself with multiple different non-profit Pittsburgh organizations such as Dreams of Hope, The City Theatre, The Mattress Factory, BTAN, Let’s Get Free, Boom Concepts, and Assemble. In this work, Melannie has been able to connect to my community through theater in so many unique ways.
Email: melannie@assemblepgh.org
Joee Yeager
(It/Ey/They)
Assemble Teacher
Joee Yeager is an artist with an interest in informal education and the exploration of self through making and has joined Assemble as a part of the Ramp Up Fellowship Program. Joee grew up in rural Western Pennsylvania and moved to the city to find acceptance and diversity after graduating from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Joee has taught art to a diverse mix of people from being a crafts counselor in Colorado to teaching painting parties for Senior Citizens and it prizes helping others find joy and make memories through creation. Joee uses art as an exploration of identity and self. Through photography, painting, printmaking, and journaling, they work to better express itself. Outside of work, Joee can be found reading, writing, and going to concerts.
Email: joee@assemblepgh.org
Asa Bryant
(she/her)
Assemble Teacher
Asa Bryant is a self taught multidisciplinary artist with over a decade of experience working with children. Her creative practice spans drawing, painting, mixed media collages and visual storytelling with a focus on identity, culture and texture.
Haley (Hales) Wilson
(She/her)
Assemble Teacher
Hales (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist and arts manager from Augusta, Georgia, and a recent graduate of the Master of Arts Management at Carnegie Mellon University. Her creative practice and research explore community acknowledgment and storytelling, with a focus on themes of identity, resilience, and social change.Kyra Stief (Ky)
(She/They)
Assemble Teacher
Kyra Stief (Ky) is an Artist and educator who thrives when interacting with people. With a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art, Kyra developed a passion for spirituality and community in art. They are skilled in hand-building, including ceramics, plaster, and welding. Kyra hopes to educate the youth about creative freedom and emotional processing.
Assemble Board of Directors
Brett Fulesday
(he/him)
Board President
Senior Manager, Valuation Services at CFGI
For more than 20 years, Brett has provided business-valuation services for individuals as well as public and privatelyheld, early-stage and mature companies. Approximately 10 years ago, feeling disconnected from the Greater Pittsburgh community, Brett joined a local Rotary Club. He has prioritized nonprofit service since, with roles ranging from sounding board to board chair (including with Assemble in 2020 and 2021), all the while accumulating experiences on various committees–particularly, finance and governance. He is equally happy to help and to learn.
Email: brett@assemblepgh.org
Anqwenique Kinsel
(she/her)
Board Vice President
Director of Hope Academy of Music and the Arts
Pittsburgh native ANQWENIQUE is a versatile vocalist and educator specializing in opera, classical music, jazz, and soul. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Voice Performance from Indiana University of PA. She has performed and collaborated with Chamber Music Pittsburgh, Attack Theater, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, BOOM Concepts, composer Daniel Bernard Romain, Roger Humphries, Nicole Mitchell, Kenny Peagler, and many others. Anqwenique has been recognized with many awards and opportunities for her creative work. In 2023, she was awarded the Aggie Award by the Bloomfield Garfield Corporation for her creative community work and completed the SCALE Fellowship, a program of the Equity Impact Center for Black women in music. She was a 2024 UNISOUND Black Teaching Artist in Residence and participated in the Yoga Roots on Location teacher training. Anqwenique has a history of working in collaboration across disciplines in visual art, photography, performance art, and immersive theater.
As a music educator, Anqwenique serves learners of all ages. She currently serves on the faculty of the CLAZZ International Music Festival. Her project Just SING! for vocal and personal wellness is supported by Duolingo and The Opportunity Fund. Consulting and program partners include Community Forge, Con Alma, TLC Libations, the Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, and others. Currently, Anqwenique is proudly serving as the president of the MMCD Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Association of Negro Musicians and Director of Hope Academy of Music and the Arts at East Liberty Presbyterian Church.
Email: anqwenique@assemblepgh.org
Travis Kelley
(he/him)
Board Treasurer
Vice President, Commercial Banking – Healthcare, Higher Education & Nonprofit Industries
Travis is a commercial banker at J.P. Morgan Chase, focused on the healthcare, higher education and nonprofitsectors. He has a B.A. in Linguistics and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. Travis is passionate about education and community service, having volunteered as an ESL tutor and served on the boards of multiple nonprofits and educational foundations. He enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with his wife and two sons.
Email: travis@assemblepgh.org
Jennifer Onofray
(she/her)
Co-Owner, Two Frays Brewery
Jennifer is the CEO and Co-Owner of Two Frays Brewery, a community-based brewery and taproom in the Garfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh, down the street from Assemble. She is also the CEO and Founder of Nestwork, an organization built to support women business owners in Pittsburgh. And also an Executive Coach and Professional Speaker focused on leadership development. From her 20+ years in corporate business leadership roles, she brings strong experience in strategy development, financial leadership, developing leading global teams to deliver sustainable growth and building and developing small teams in the small business environment. Through her work in the brewery, she cultivates an inclusive culture and welcoming space that gives back to the community through donations and collaborative events.
She has served on several volunteer boards – most recently – Bloomfield Development Corporation. She holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University and MBA from U of M Ross School of Business. She lives in Pittsburgh with her husband and two frenchies.
Email: jen@assemblepgh.org
Erica Tamburo
(she/her)
Development and Events Committee Chair
Owner, Erica Tamburo Gallery
Erica Tamburo is a creative and passionate leader dedicated to creating environments where individuals can thrive. She is passionate about STEAM education and helping students prepare for a successful future. With a strong foundation in technology, Erica holds M.S. degrees in Bioengineering and Rehabilitation Science Technology from the University of Pittsburgh. Over her 24+ year career, she has gained extensive experience in healthcare, rehabilitation, medical imaging research, and most recently, drone infrastructure. Erica is also an award-winning fine art photographer, drawing on her unique background in MRI image analysis to inform her artistic approach.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Erica is deeply committed to service, both locally and internationally. She currently serves on the National Board of getWITit, and is a Co-Founder of the Women In Product Toastmasters Club. She is a mentor with the Pittsburgh Technology Council & Fortyx80 L.A.U.N.C.H. program, and volunteers with 4H. Her past involvement includes leadership roles in Engineers for a Sustainable World, RESNA SIG International Appropriate Technology, the NSF Engineering Research Center Leadership Council, and co-founding the Using FileMaker for Research User Group.
If Erica is not working or volunteering you can find her spending time with flowers, her husband, or watching copious amounts of dachshund videos and giggling hysterically.
Email: erica@assemblepgh.org
EJ Schuck
(he/him)
Customer Service Director, Duquesne Light Company
EJ is a utilities leader, woodworker, and Formula 1 enthusiast. EJ received his Bachelor’s of Science in Industrial Engineering and Master’s of Science in Energy Systems Engineering from Lehigh University. His professional career has been focused on the utility industry and includes technology strategy, customer service transformation, and data & analytics. EJ‘s passion for making started in his father’s auto repair shop, deepened with home renovations, and continues as a wood shop teacher at Workshop PGH. This led EJ to seek out involvement with Assemble to support its incredible mission within the community. EJ stays busy chasing his two kids (Edwin and Felicity) with his wife Laura. They live in Friendship and love walking their dog Harley around the neighborhood.
Email: ej@assemblepgh.org
Nathan Wadding
(he/him)
Founder and CEO
Nathan Wadding is the Founder and CEO of Kindling Culture Agency, a Pittsburgh-based firm that helps organizations build purpose-driven work cultures, authentic employer brands, and stronger employee engagement. His work focuses on understanding the employee experience by listening closely to the stories, perspectives, and insights of the people who do the work every day.
With a background in creative direction and cultural strategy, Nathan has partnered with organizations ranging from startups to national healthcare systems, manufacturing companies, and technology firms. He believes surveys alone only tell part of the story. Real understanding comes from being present, asking thoughtful questions, and creating space for employees to be heard.
Drawing on human-centered design and Appreciative Inquiry, Nathan has developed a practical, people-first approach to uncovering and activating the employee voice. He is a sought-after speaker and facilitator on culture-led leadership, intentional workplace culture, and employer brand strategy.
Email: travis@assemblepgh.org
Tyler Stelmack
(he/him)
Information Management Committee Co-Chair
Account Manager – Customer Success, Quiet
Since arriving in Pittsburgh in 2013 to attend the University of Pittsburgh, Tyler has spent over a decade navigating the complexities of supply chain and logistics for major companies, including American Eagle Outfitters, UPMC, and rue21. Today, he leverages that same operational mindset to give back to the city he has called home. As a Board Member for Assemble and Co-Chair of the Information Management Committee, Tyler is dedicated to fueling the organization’s robust STEAM programs.
Tyler currently resides in the Borough of Dormont. When he’s off the clock, Tyler is usually exploring Pittsburgh’s local brewery scene with his partner, Sean, or walking their lab, Andy. He is also—bravely—attempting to master the game of golf.
Email: tyler@assemblepgh.org
Faith Collins
Faith Collins is the Community Capacity Coordinator at the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC), providing technical assistance to nonprofit entities to secure federal economic development grants. SPC is the Local Development District and Economic Development District for southwestern Pennsylvania. Since originating the role two years ago, Faith has provided over 200 regional nonprofits with technical assistance. Prior to her role as Community Capacity Coordinator, Faith provided technical assistance to for-profit companies interested in entering the government marketplace as Manager, Government Contract Technical Assistance at SPC. Faith has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Anthropology. She is a lifetime Pittsburgh resident and owner of one 11-year-old, ill-behaved Beagle mix, Jayme. She lives in Bellevue with her husband, Justin.
Hannah Karolak, PhD
(she/her)
Chief Program Officer – The Forbes Funds& Independent Leadership Consultant
Dr. Hannah Karolak is a nonprofit leader and scholar dedicated to strengthening organizations and empowering communities. As Chief Program Officer at The Forbes Funds, a leading intermediary funding organization, she oversees strategic programming that enhances the operational capacity of local nonprofits. She specializes in stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, and fostering cross-sector collaboration.
With a Ph.D. from Duquesne University, Dr. Karolak brings a specialized focus on communication ethics and post-trauma community development to her board service. Her research, including publications on post-9/11 rhetoric, informs her ability to navigate complex community dynamics and foster open dialogue. Dr. Karolak is committed to driving innovation in public service by building ambitious, evidence-based solutions in partnership with diverse communities.
Email: hannahk@assemblepgh.org
David Doswell
(he/him)
CEO at Code Plus Color
David Doswell is a software engineer based in Marina del Rey, California. A Pittsburgh native, he owns andoperates his own software consultancy, Code Plus Color, and has worked for NeuroAge Therapeutics, PayPal, The City of San Francisco, and other technology startups. He also teaches programming to young students in Pittsburgh and has been associated with Assemble for almost 10 years, where used to work as a teacher. David enjoys a good steak, blowing off steam at OrangeTheory, and his morning espresso.
Email: david@assemblepgh.org
Phalguni Shah
(she/her)
Phalguni is an Expert Research Engineer at PPG, where she uses statistics and data science to design experiments and develop high-performance coatings. A physicist by training, Phalguni is passionate about science education and data-driven decision making. She is excited to marry these interests as an Information Management co-chair at Assemble.
Phalguni lives in Highland Park with her husband and cat. When not working, she enjoys practising Kathak, and Indian classical dance form, and cross-stitching mathematical patterns.
Email: phalguni@assemblepgh.org
Megan Markovitz
(she/her)
Founder and Principal Coach
Megan is an advocate and leader in the disability inclusion space. She runs her own self-determination coaching business, See Your Able, for neurodiverse young adults to reach goals on their own. Megan holds a B.S. in elementary education from Boston University and a M.A. in community psychology from Point Park University. She is a proud born and bred Pittsburgher, rescue dog mom, and former Assemble employee! Megan enjoys knitting, reading, walking through the East End to try new coffee shops. She is so excited to be back with Assemble with this community of makers!
Email: meganm@assemblepgh.org
Malcolm Carrington
(he/him)
Undergraduate Recruitment Specialist, University of Pittsburgh
Email: malcolm@assemblepgh.org