WHO WE ARE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF
Board Executive Committee
Martin J. Healey - President
he/him/his
The Healey Company, Inc. - Chief Financial Officer
A 30-year resident of Shadyside and a life-long Pittsburgher, Marty Healey brings an extensive business and financial background along with a passion for community service. A graduate of Duquesne University, Marty built a solid foundation in business and financial management which continued for 14 years with Equitable Financial/AXA Companies. It was during this time that he learned, sometimes the hard way, the importance of “doing what you love, and loving what you do.” Through these lessons, he found his true love was building relationships, finding common ground, coalition building between like-minded groups, and sometimes not so like-minded, and helping those in need. As President of Tri-PAC, the first LGBT political action committee, Marty built solid relationships. After seeing the effects of HIV and losing so many friends to AIDS, Marty was compelled to join the board of the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force (now Allies for Health + Wellbeing), the oldest and largest AIDS service organization in southwestern PA. He also serves as Vice President and Pittsburgh Pride 2020 Co-Chair at the Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh.
Marty is a proud uncle to 12 nieces and nephews. For the past year, Marty has called Sewickley home along with his fiancé Gene, who supports him in every way possible.
R. Doug Clewett - Vice President
he/him/his
Easterseals of Western and Central PA - Director of Human Services
Doug Clewett has spent his professional career in human services. He is currently the Director of Human Resources at Easterseals of Western and Central PA. Prior to joining the board at Persad, he served on the boards of the Shepherd Wellness Community and Mental Health America.
Gene Welsh - Treasurer
he/him/his
Retired CPA and Chief Financial Officer
Gene is a retired CPA and Chief Financial Officer. He spent the majority of his career focused on telecommunication and high tech industries. Gene moved to Pittsburgh in 2002 from Los Angeles to retire. He has served on the Board of Directors of Persad Center for nine years and is currently the Board Treasurer. Gene has been an advocate for the LGBTQ community in the corporate world for many years. Gene also serves as the President of the Board of Directors of the Pittsburgh Opera and is on the Board of the Pittsburgh based company, Computational Diagnostics, Inc.
Suzan Landay NItzberg - Previous Board President
she/her/hers
Retired Nonprofit President and Director
Susan Nitzberg has been active in the community for over 35 years. She earned a Master of Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh after receiving her undergraduate degree from Penn State University. Most recently, she served as Associate Director, Outreach for STANDING FIRM – The Business Case to End Partner Violence. In that role, Ms. Nitzberg educated employers about the effects of partner violence on the workplace and workforce. She introduced STANDING FIRM to companies and organizations through numerous engagement activities and grew the initiative exponentially. She has extensive experience with community and non-profit organizations. She has held numerous leadership positions in organizations such as National Council of Jewish Women, Pittsburgh Section, Family Hospice and Palliative Care, Union Aid Society, the Child Health Association of Sewickley, Sewickley Valley YMCA and more. Formerly, she served as Vice President, St. Clair Hospital. She is a graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh. Ms. Nitzberg has proudly served on the Persad Center Board of Directors for nine years.
Victor D. Dozzi, CPA, MST, CFE - Chair of the BART Committee
he/him/his
Crawford Ellenbogen, LLC - Partner & Chief Operating Officer
Vic has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Accounting, magna cum laude, from Carlow University and a Master’s Degree in Taxation with high honors from Duquesne University. Vic’s newest community endeavor brings him to the Persad Center as a board member. He currently serves as chair of the Board Acquisition, Retention & Training Committee and on the Finance Committee.
Vic was recognized by PUMP and Pittsburgh Magazine as one of Pittsburgh’s “Top 40 Under 40.” PICPA also recognized Vic as their 2018 Volunteer Service Award recipient. Additionally, he was one of 2009’s “40 Under 40 Members to Watch". Vic has been a professor and guest lecturer on accounting, tax and finance issues at Carlow University, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center, the University of Pittsburgh Law School, and the University of Pittsburgh Center for Executive Education. He has also lectured at numerous arts institutions. In addition, he provides pro bono assistance to numerous arts organizations as a Business Volunteer for the Arts, a program of Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council.
Board Members
Cora E. Brna, NRP
she/her/hers
Founder of "The Cis Ally"
Cora has been a board member at Persad Center since September 2018.
Bobby Cherry
he/him/his
Hearst Television
Senior Copy Editor
I enjoy serving on the board at Persad Center because it allows me to be a part of an incredible effort to help grow and improve the lives of those who identify as LGBTQ.
Morgan Faeder, MD, PhD
he/him/his
UPMC/University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Director of UPMC Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Fellowship and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Serving on the board at Persad Center is meaningful to me because I have the opportunity to work to provide accessible, high quality mental health services to the Western PA LGBTQ+ community.
Gordon D. Fisher, Esq.
he/him/his
Law Office of Gordon D. Fisher
Lawyer
I originally became interested in serving on the Persad board when I learned that there was a long waiting list for clients to be seen. I wanted to help eliminate long delays for clients to be seen.
Meghan Holohan
she/her/hers
Freelance Journalist
Serving on the Persad board gives Meghan the chance to see how culturally competent therapeutic practices bolster the LGBTQ community.
Rob Lucas
he/him/his
UPMC
Rob is Senior Associate Counsel and Vice President with UPMC Health Services Group.
David A. McDougal
he/him/his
Being able to support an organization that provides many vital services to the LGBTQ+ community is an honor and privilege.
Daniel Reitz
he/him/his
Washington County Council on Economic Development
Executive Director
Dan has served on the Persad Center board for 4 years.
Penny J. Schnarrs
she/her/hers
Highmark Health
Senior Internal Communications Analyst
It was important to personally support efforts that have impacted my life so profoundly and pay that forward.
Sheri Sclabassi, MSW, PhD
she/her/hers
Computational Diagnostics, Inc.
President and CEO
A native of Los Angeles, Sheri moved to Pittsburgh in 1976. She is a long-time champion for equality and the LGBTQ+ community and believes that we are stronger together as we work to move forward a world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
Will Wenger, LCSW
he/him/his
Gateway Health
Director of Product Strategy & Innovation
Will has served on the Persad Center board for 2 years.
Darren Whitfield, MSW, PhD
Prefers not to use pronouns
University of Pittsburgh
Assistant Professor of Social Work
I serve on the board of directors because it allows me to ensure the LGBTQ community receive appropriate mental health services. As a social work, I believe it’s always my call to ensure culturally responsive services are provided to marginalized groups.
Administrative Staff
Christine Bryan - Director of Communications and Development
she/her/hers
For over 10 years, Christine Bryan has been a champion for equality for Western Pennsylvania’s LGBTQ+ community. From producing events, to advocating for diversity and inclusion, to developing relationships with corporations, politicians & supportive non-profit partners, the work she does helps make the Pittsburgh region a vibrant and exciting city for everyone.
Prior to her advocacy work, Chris was the Director of Marketing for Bruegger’s Bagels, and is proud to have named several sandwiches still on the menu today including the Leonardo da Veggie.
A Champion recipient of the Dignity & Respect Campaign, Chris served as the co-chair of the Greater Pittsburgh council. She is also a member of the Community Advisory Board at the Pitt Men’s Study and the Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee at the Sarah Heinz House. In 2016, she received the Vision Towards Peace Counseling Services Forerunner Award and in 2018, she completed the Certified Festival & Event Executive program as part of the International Festival & Events Association.
412-441-9786 ext. 218
Kim Henry, LCSW - Director of Clinical Programs
she/her/hers
A graduate of Temple University’s Social Work Program, Kim has been in practice for over 30 years in various levels of care. She appreciates that Persad is unique in how welcoming and safe it is for clients. In her spare time, she loves to garden and is planning on becoming a master gardener when she retires.
412-441-9786 ext. 223
Judi Scinico - Director of Billing and Operations
she/her/hers
Judi brings to Persad over 23 years of experience in administration and billing for behavioral health services. She is gratified with knowing that by maximizing the billing revenue for Persad's services, she is able to provide services to those that can’t afford it. In Judi's spare time she enjoys spending time with friends and family.
412-441-9786 ext. 250
Dr. Alan Reis - Medical Director
he/him/his
Dr. Reis is Persad’s Medical Director and principal Psychiatrist. He has been in practice for over 20 years and specializes in psychiatry and psychopharmacology.
412-441-9786 ext. 218
