About Us
The Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition is currently served by its elected 2026 Board of Directors, consisting entirely of residents or business representatives of the Squirrel Hill area. Board members serve 3-year terms with two-term limits. Board meetings occur on the 3rd week of every month and are free and open to the public. To find out where this month’s meeting is held or to be on the agenda, please contact us at 412-422-7666 or info@shuc.org. Be sure to check our Events Calendar to verify the date and time of upcoming meetings or search the archive for our past meeting minutes.
Dalia is a retired attorney who worked for many years for the National Labor Relations Board. Having enjoyed the many perks of living in Squirrel Hill, including easy access to stores, entertainment, libraries, parks, and bike trails, she thought working on behalf of SHUC would be an ideal way of giving back to the community.
Lisa joined the SHUC board in June 2016 and has been an active member since moving to Squirrel Hill in 2010. Lisa is a certified urban planner with a B.A. in Economics and a Master’s Degree in City and Regional Planning, specializing in transportation, land use, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Lisa works part-time for a consulting firm creating transportation plans for cities, counties, and regional organizations. Lisa and her husband, Rick, have three children and enjoy the walkability and thriving business district of Squirrel Hill.
Erik is a Commercial Realtor that has lived in Squirrel Hill all his life and has been involved with SHUC since the mid-70’s. He has chaired the Zoning and Land Use committees and co-chaired the Building committee. He also founded the commercial division of Howard Hanna Co. Erik is a member of numerous community and professional organizations, such as the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, the National Association of Realtors, and the Squirrel Hill Historical Society.
Ray Baum is an attorney whose practice is focused on real estate development and transactions, non-profit organizations, affordable housing and community development. Ray is a past president of SHUC and is currently corporate secretary.
Ray has served on the boards and committees of many Squirrel Hill and city-wide and community public education focused organizations. He presently also serves on the boards of Rising Tide Partners and Friends of the Neill Log House and provides pro bono legal services to several non-profit organizations.
Ray and both his children are products of the Pittsburgh Public Schools. His two Pittsburgh grandsons will be part of the Allderdice graduation class of 2026 on June 10th!
Justin is a Pittsburgh native who resides in Swisshelm Park with his wife (Talia) and puppy (Rider). Justin works for Schneider Downs Corporate Finance, LP where he is responsible for transaction execution and business development for the firm’s real estate investment banking practice. Justin graduated from the George Washington University in 2017 and is currently in the process of obtaining his Master’s Degree in real estate finance and development from Georgetown University. In his spare time, Justin enjoys exploring Pittsburgh’s restaurant scene, taking his puppy to Frick Park, attending live music concerts, and engaging with his community. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition, Justin also serves on the Board of Directors and Finance Committee for Tree Pittsburgh.
Guy is the retired City of Pittsburgh’s Chief Operations Officer (COO). His retirement came after being employed for 40 years by the City and Allegheny County and today Guy proudly serves as one of the Sq. Hill Urban Coalition Board Members. Prior to becoming the City’s COO Guy served as the City’s Director of Public Works and The Executive Director of the City’s Parking Authority. Guy is a forty-five year resident of Sq. Hill. He’s a proud graduate of Linden Elementary School, Taylor Allderdice High School and Duquesne University. He currently serves on the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Board and formerly served on the Pittsburgh P3R Marathon, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and Three Rivers Regatta Boards and he oversaw the operations for the City of Pittsburgh’s Great Race. During Guy’s career he worked very closely with the Sq. Hill Urban Coalition and the Sq. Hill Business District in bringing many projects and improved services to the neighborhood.
Jacquelyn is a former science researcher now investigating her environment with a camera and pen. She is a fine-art photographer who owns a photography/artist studio in Pittsburgh’s East End. She serves on grant-making panels for the GPAC, is a member of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, and the Madwomen in the Attic writing group. She moved into the Squirrel Hill neighborhood in 2017, coming from nearby Swisshelm Park. Her focus on our neighbors begins with an inherent interest in bridging – both in understanding and in finding commonality, so that all residents can thrive. She was the producer of SHUC’s Kindness is Contagious project and is active on the board’s Health & Environment Committee and on its Litter Patrol Committee. In addition, as co-founder of the non-profit Steel City Helping Hands, she co-coordinated SHUC’s Community Resource Fair for our city’s housing-insecure individuals. Jacquelyn and her family enjoy the vibrancy of Squirrel Hill and are active with our local parks.
Lori is a practicing architect with Bostwick Design Partnership, as Director of the Pittsburgh Office and Practice Leader for Community Projects. She has taught as an adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Architecture, from which she is an alum. Lori is a LEED Accredited Professional (BD+C) and WELL Accredited Professional (WELL AP), has completed comprehensive project management training from the Project Management Institute (PMI), and is a graduate of the City of Pittsburgh’s Civic Leadership Academy. She is a native Pittsburgher, and has lived in Squirrel Hill since 1999. In her SHUC board role, she facilitates communication between various neighborhood stakeholders such as property owners, developers, and city representatives. With her appreciation for our regional history, especially from the late 1700s, she is helping the Squirrel Hill Historic Society and Friends of Neill Log House work to stabilize that historic structure in Schenley Park. She infuses her practice with her strong personal interests and beliefs in people (collaboration, team integration), place (context, community, history) and purpose (environment, experience). Lori, her husband and their teenage son enjoy living within walking distance of Schenley Park and the Squirrel Hill Business District.
Although new to the board, Nolan has been involved with SHUC since moving to Squirrel Hill in 2023. He is active on the Bike-Ped Committee and is committed to making Squirrel Hill and the city at large a better place for all people and all modes of transit. Nolan grew up in Beaver County and holds a B.A. in Geographic Information Systems from IUP. Since 2023, he has been the Facilities Archives & GIS Manager for CMU. In his free time, he enjoys exploring the city and researching local history and has written a few books. Nolan resides in Greenfield.
Before his involvement with SHUC, Marshall used his PhD and MBA degrees in support of a happy career in the social sciences: college teaching of political science and business; conducting market research and strategic planning for hospitals; owning and operating a management consulting firm serving healthcare and government organizations; executive positions at Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and at Pittsburgh’s Jewish Association on Aging; and grant-writing and program development at Goodwill Industries serving the Greater Johnstown region. His involvement in SHUC is the best way he could think of contributing to the well-being, vibrancy, and improvement of the neighborhood he loves so much. Participating in SHUC and its myriad activities and interests has given great meaning and enjoyment to his time in retirement. He and his wife, Eleanor, find Squirrel Hill particularly attractive because of its convenience, strong cultural, commercial, residential, and recreational amenities; Schenley and Frick Parks, as well as many trails and by-ways. Squirrel Hill’s proximity, connections, and transit options to Oakland, Shadyside, downtown, and all points beyond, make Squirrel Hill one of the most important parts of Pittsburgh and the region.
Melissa is a community engagement and development professional with more than 15 years of experience at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, where she advances fundraising efforts and cultivates strategic partnerships. Her work focuses on fostering connection through cultural programming, civic engagement, and community initiatives. She is also a curator with a deep love of art, which informs her approach to community building and creative engagement. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh, where her love of Pittsburgh took root. Melissa and her partner live in Greenfield with their four adopted cats. Outside of work, she enjoys cycling and outdoor adventures. She is proud to serve on the boards of the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition and Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania.
Martha “Mardi” Isler is a longtime Squirrel Hill resident and neighborhood improvement advocate. In 2008, Mardi established and led the SHUC Gateway Committee, spearheading the revitalization of the Forward-Murray business corridor. Their efforts resulted in trees on Forbes, a “Welcome to Squirrel Hill” sign, streetlights on Murray Avenue, O’Connor’s Corner respite plaza, a renovated Post Office parklet, and benches on Forbes and Murray. In 2013, she established Uncover Squirrel Hill and served as its first president. Mardi was President of SHUC from 2019 to 2024 and continued her work to bring events to the neighborhood. With a passion for increasing Pittsburgh’s tree canopy, Mardi is currently a member of SHUC’s Tree Committee. She was Chair of the Pittsburgh Shade Tree Commission and a founding board member of Tree Pittsburgh. She also championed the restoration of the historic c. 1795 Neill Log House, now open to public tours, and hopefully to be preserved for future generations. Mardi currently serves on the Pittsburgh Historic Review Commission.
John has served as President of Brandywine Communities since 1998, leading a team that develops and manages residential and commercial properties to strengthen western Pennsylvania neighborhoods. He is passionate about creating places where people can live comfortably, run successful businesses, and feel a genuine sense of community. He lives in Squirrel Hill with his wife Diane and their 4 boys, and outside of real estate, he spends his time with his young children, playing tennis, volunteering, or unwinding with a good space-opera.
Jeremy is an attorney and community advocate with a 15-year record of political engagement and client management with a passion for community building societal impact. Now a resident of Squirrel Hill in Pittsburgh for almost three years, Jeremy has continued to immerse himself in community advocacy, championing policy changes relating to urban design. He is currently co-founding a nonprofit dedicated to education and advocacy to combat the rising tide of antisemitism in Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Rachel Lecrone is a native of the Greater Pittsburgh Area, and holds a degree in Electrical Engineering, and MBA from Penn State. After a long career in manufacturing, Rachel and her family returned to Pittsburgh in 2017 to be closer to family. Rachel currently resides in Squirrel Hill with her two children, Anna and Eddie, and dog, Zandy. She currently leads the SHUC Litter Patrol, and is also an active volunteer with Hello Neighbor.
Vida Almario Passero, MD, MBAChief Medical Officer, National TeleOncology at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Passero is a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist whose clinical practice is at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. Her focus is on the intersection of hematology/oncology clinical care, access, communities, and technology. As Chief Medical Officer of National TeleOncology (NTO), she is building and sustaining strategically a national hematology/oncology service to ensure all patients have access to specialized care including TeleChemotherapy. NTO is currently available through partnerships with over 120 VA Medical Centers across the country. As Section Chief in 2016, her team at VA Pittsburgh launched the Virtual Cancer Care Clinic using telehealth and remote infusion to provide care to Veterans in rural Pennsylvania. As Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Passero continues in her role in UPMC Hematology/Oncology as former Associate Fellowship Program Director and currently as Senior Program Advisor.
Karen is the Interim Executive Director and Director of Development and Communications of the Branch.
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Rivkee Rudolph graduated from Yeshiva Schools, then studied at Seminary Chaya Mushka in Israel. She began her professional life as a pre-school teacher, first in Pittsburgh and then in New York. In 2006, Rivkee founded The Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh, where she has served as its Director ever since. She is singularly focused on and is largely responsible for Friendship Circles’s basic philosophy: all members are equally welcome and lines between abilities should be blurred as much as possible. Her commitment to executing this philosophy throughout the scores of programs and events FC sponsors has enabled the organization to become an integral part of both the Jewish and the general community in Pittsburgh.
Mary has lived in or near Squirrel Hill for half a century (mostly just west of Beeler St, which isn’t technically Squirrel Hill but feels more like Squirrel Hill than it does like Oakland; there were also a few years in Greenfield) and currently live near Schenley golf course. Her principal interest is outdoor recreation, especially bicycle and pedestrian issues. She is currently on the faculty of Carnegie Mellon University.
Maria Cohen became the Executive Director of the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition in August of 2019 and supports the many programs and initiatives that have a positive impact on the Squirrel Hill neighborhood. In addition to being a long-time volunteer for a number of local nonprofits, Maria holds an MBA in International Marketing and Finance from DePaul University and earned her LEED Green Associate credential. Her background includes marketing, high-level recruiting, office operations, and budget management. Maria has been a Squirrel Hill resident for over 15 years with her husband Josh, a local Chiropractor, her two teenage sons, Cole and Julien, and their family’s dogs Julio and Bruno.
Melissa Eppihimer is an art historian with experience working in university classrooms, archaeological sites, and museums. She has been engaged in academic publishing for more than a decade, including as the author of a book, and is thrilled to be applying skills acquired in that arena to her work on Squirrel Hill Magazine.
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