Executive Director
Wanda Wilson
wwilson@opdc.org
412.621.7863 Ext. 15
Wanda began with OPDC as the Executive Director in 2009, and oversees all OPDC, JobLinks and School 2 Career personnel and programs, fundraising, and planning initiatives. She is a committed and experienced leader in community development, nonprofit management, and neighborhood revitalization. She has a breadth of experience in forming collaborations, building consensus, and managing complex projects. Passionate about Oakland not only as a residential neighborhood but as the economic driver and cultural hub of our region, Wanda draws on experience from neighborhoods throughout the city and from knowledge gleaned from other cities to make Oakland a great place to live, work, and play. Her prior work experience includes serving as Senior Planner for the City of Pittsburgh Department of City Planning and most recently as a Program Officer for Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development. She earned her master’s degree in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University, and her bachelor’s in Sociology/Anthropology from Denison University.
Assistant Director
Elly Fisher
efisher@opdc.org
412.621.7863 Ext. 12
Elly has been the Assistant Director at OPDC since 2007. Elly’s responsibilities include coordination and planning for each program, real estate development and property management, and government relations and fundraising. A recent transplant to Pittsburgh, Elly has worked with Riverlife, South Side Local Development Company and Pittsburgh City Planning. Previously, she directed outreach efforts for Menomonee Valley Partners in Milwaukee, WI and volunteered for the US Peace Corps in Jamaica significantly expanding capacity for their recycling program. Elly holds a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from U.C. Berkeley.
Assistant Director for Workforce & Strategy
Bryan Perry
bperry@opdc.org
412.621.3821 ext. 23
Bryan joined OPDC in 2011 to lead strategy planning and organizational systems upgrades for JobLinks, OPDC’s successful workforce development program. In addition to overseeing JobLinks operations and staff, Bryan leads fundraising and program development and expansion efforts for other OPDC programs. He has over 15 years experience working for The Pittsburgh Project as Director of Administration and Communication and later as the Development Manager. Among his many accomplishments, Bryan led The Pittsburgh Project’s implementation of the Community Quality Institute’s Youth Standards. Bryan is a former board president of Friendship Ministries, Inc., and now serves on the board of The Saxifrage School. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Wheaton (Ill.) College and a master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Pittsburgh.
School 2 Career Program Director
Karla Stallworth
kstallworth@s2c.opdc.org
412.682.1144
Karla Stallworth joined OPDC in 2007 as the director of School 2 Career (S2C). She is primarily responsible for job development training, interviewing, career exploration, resume and cover letter preparation, and organizing mentored work experience opportunities for youth enrolled in the program. Prior to coming to OPDC, Mrs. Stallworth held the position of Youth Program Director for Breachmenders Ministries, where she administered the S2C program for six years until the organization closed its doors in 2007. Formerly a bank officer, she worked for Dollar Bank from 1995-2001, rising quickly through the ranks from the position of Mortgage Opener to the first Officer of Credit Card Operations. From 1990 – 1995, Mrs. Stallworth was the first civilian auditor within the Travel Division of Yokota Air Force Base, Japan, and was honored as Civilian of the Quarter. Under her leadership, S2C’s budget has increased by 75%, enrollment has grown nearly 80%, and over 150 students have graduated from the program with a 100% high school graduation rate. Mrs. Stallworth’s diverse background and experience are tremendous assets to this organization and to the community.
Property Manager
Blair Kossis
bkossis@opdc.org
412.621.7863 Ext. 10
Blair Kossis joined OPDC in October of 2010 as the Property Manager. His responsibilities include overseeing OPDC’s rental portfolio, providing quality affordable housing to families and individuals with a variety of income levels and unique needs, and working with colleagues to connect tenants to community activities. Prior to joining OPDC, Blair managed a private property management company. A Pittsburgh native, Blair earned his bachelor’s degree in Marketing with a concentration in Management & Advertising from Kent State University.
Communications Manager
Rebekkah Ranallo
rranallo@opdc.org
412.621.7863 Ext. 23
Rebekkah joined OPDC in September of 2010 and manages all marketing, communications, social media, and media relations for the organization. Rebekkah first began working in community development at the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition, where she did community organizing, marketing, and helped pilot the organization’s quarterly publication of Squirrel Hill Magazine. Most recently, Rebekkah worked as a Development Associate at Every Child, Inc., where she managed their special events, fundraising and marketing efforts. Rebekkah holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations/Social & Cultural History from Carnegie Mellon University.
Community Organizer
Tara Sherry-Torres, M.S.W.
tarat@opdc.org
412.621.7863 Ext. 17
Tara started at OPDC as a Community Organizing intern in January of 2010 and has proudly stayed on as an employee. She is a native of Brooklyn, NY and graduated from Brooklyn College with a dual degree in Political Science and Puerto Rican & Latino Studies. Tara’s role is to create a social fabric for all of Oakland’s neighborhoods and residents through various programs such as greening projects, public safety initiatives and community planning efforts. Tara also advocates for and links residents to a variety of resources in the community. She moved to Pittsburgh two years ago to attend the University of Pittsburgh for her master’s in Social Work, which she completed in December, 2010. She loves Pittsburgh and especially Oakland because of all the diversity that makes up the neighborhood.
Office Manager
Kimberly Chatman-Johnson
kchatman@opdc.org
412.621.7863 Ext. 25
KICO Program Manager
Ginny Giles
kico@opdc.org
412.621.7863 Ext. 24
Ginny started in August of 2012 as OPDC’s “Keep It Clean, Oakland” (KICO) Program Manager. Ginny moved to Pittsburgh 10 years ago and received a bachelor’s degree in Leadership and Administrative Development from La Roche College. After working for North Hills Community Outreach and The Pittsburgh Project, Ginny has gone back to school to pursue a master’s of Public Policy and Management at the University of Pittsburgh. As the KICO Program Manager, Ginny is committed to connecting students and neighbors through volunteer initiatives.
Program Manager
David Zwier
dzwier@opdc.org
412.621.7863 Ext. 14
David started in September of 2012 as OPDC’s Community Programs Manager. A PULSE and AmeriCorps fellow, he is originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and received a bachelor’s degree in Business and International Studies. Having worked and studied abroad in Egypt, Spain, and Colombia, David brings unique cultural insights to the diverse neighborhood of Oakland. As the Community Programs Manager, he is committed to bringing out the best of Oakland through the development of new green initiatives, business capacity, and the encouragement of community involvement.