Staff and Board
Union Project Staff
 |
Jeffrey Dorsey, Executive Director 412-363-4550 x26 jeffrey@UnionProject.org Jeffrey Dorsey’s expertise in arts-related community development and non-profit management has earned him broad recognition across various sectors in and around Pittsburgh. His background includes working as an artist, performer, arts-educator, economic development strategist, non-profit turn around specialist and speaker. He has helped shape many of the East End’s most progressive community building initiative’s including managing the Penn Avenue Arts Initiative, co-founding the East End Partnership of Pittsburgh, directing the Friendship Development Associates, and chairing the expansion of the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh. Committed to helping people access their fullest potential, Jeffrey’s work consistently aims to inspire and educate people towards more simple and meaningful lives, creating more livable and sustainable neighborhoods, and working toward social renewal. He’s even been called a “slightly hipper, funnier version of Mr. Rogers.” Jeffrey credits his deep interest in community to his own family, remembering his parents who could “talk to anyone about anything, loved hosting gatherings, and were experts at making people feel comfortable.” Jeffrey balances his work life with enjoying time playing with his wife and two children, spending time outdoors, practicing yoga, running, playing soccer, renovating his old house and making anything with his hands. |
 |
Carol Spencer-Royall, Director of Quality Experience 412-363-4550 x21 carol@unionproject.org Carol Spencer-Royall brings over a decade of experience working in Pittsburgh’s East End non-profits. For the last six years at Union Project, she has worn many hats: from Bookkeeper to Business Manager to Director of Quality Experience in Space Rental. Her wide range of knowledge (from numbers to every nook of our building) coupled with her integrity and unmatched caring for people make her ideal for her job: making sure your experience here is unique, enjoyable and memorable. A wife and mother of a young adult, teenager and 2 pugs, Carol considers her family her greatest accomplishment and feels the skills gained over 23 years of a marriage are key to leading a successful life, specifically the ability to listen, compromise and forgive. Nicknamed “Mrs. Dash,” Carol’s ‘don’t quit until it’s done’ work ethic means no obstacle is insurmountable. When she’s not serving others, Carol enjoys music, reading, anything outdoors or crafty, loves clouds, rainbows and sunsets and is considering taking up playing the piano again after a 25 year hiatus. Carol's claim to fame is an extensive knowledge of obscure facts useful only during Jeopardy or... well, maybe only Jeopardy. |
 |
Jenna Vanden Brink, Arts Program Manager 412-363-4550 x22 jenna@unionproject.org Growing up in Detroit, MI as the daughter of artistic parents, Jenna Vanden Brink learned to love the arts and care for community from a young age. After graduating from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI with a double major in Studio Art and English, she moved to Pittsburgh with ten college friends to volunteer for a year. She was attracted to Union Project’s core values, values she shares--creative expression, community and its development, serving leadership, faith, and reconciliation. After a year of service at Union Project, Jenna was hired as Arts Coordinator to help re-shape Union Project’s Studio Arts Program. Nicknamed both “sparkles” and “the heavy,” Jenna’s bright enthusiasm and decisiveness helped grow the program from a few dozen adult learners to over 1,000 youth, adults and families. Additionally Jenna has strengthened UP’s ceramic cooperative and successfully managed our community restored stained glass window project to completion. She loves serving in her neighborhood, teaching young artists, making pots cooperatively in a community studio, and spreading love and appreciation for the arts. As well, she enjoys music, clay, eating tomatoes from the garden, lawn games (and all games). |
 |
Kelly Tobias, Communications and Volunteer Coordinator 412-363-4550 x37 kelly@unionproject.org Kelly Tobias was drawn to Pittsburgh for it’s accessible neighborhoods and supportive arts community, but has stayed for the valuable relationships she has created here. As Volunteer and Communications Coordinator at Union Project, Kelly is proud to have the chance to facilitate the connections being made by people in our community to each other, their neighborhood, and the space around them. When not building connections at Union Project, Kelly works to balance performing in local rock band big hurry and making art across many media, with caring for the meaningful relationships she has with her friends and family. Passionate about supporting and advocating for the wealth of culture in her town, Kelly works to plan and promote Love of Friends, an annual gathering that celebrates extraordinary Pittsburghers as well as a member of the Fiber Arts Guild of Pittsburgh. |
 |
Tim Poellnitz, Custodian Tim@unionproject.org Tim Poellnitz first found out about Union Project from a friend eight years ago and has since been an invaluable member of the UP Staff. In his spare time, he likes playing football, basketball, and cooking with his family. Tim is happy to have been present to see the many changes that have happened to Union Project through the years, most recenly the finished stained glass windows and the newly renovated Great Hall. What Tim has come to value most about his job are the people he works with and the fact that he is helping the community every day. |
Union Project Board
|
Christine Bethea
Meredith Calfe
Garrett Cooper Grant Ervin (Chair) Maureen Hogan (Co-chair)
Robert Jones |
Tony Macklin (Secretary)
Irene McLaughlin
Heather Mediate (Treasurer)
Cherie Moshier Chris Sandvig Rev. BJ Woodworth |
