We are Boys Hope Girls Hope of Pittsburgh
Boys Hope Girls Hope of Pittsburgh helps motivated high school students rise above disadvantaged backgrounds. Our goal is to graduate young people who are physically, emotionally, and academically prepared for post-secondary education and productive life, breaking barriers so they can become community-minded leaders.
Boys Hope Girls Hope firmly believes that young people have the power to overcome adversity, realize their potential, and help transform our world. They create these successes when we remove obstacles, support and believe in them, and provide environments and opportunities that build on their strengths.
Boys Hope Girls Hope of Pittsburgh is a proud member of the Boys Hope Girls Hope Network. Our Network Headquarters, located in St. Louis, Missouri, connects, provides leadership to, and offers signature college-preparatory programming to affiliates across the nation, Mexico, and Guatemala. Each affiliate is independently incorporated, governed by its own board of directors, and responsible for its own fundraising. Affiliation and services agreements link the Network to ensure mission and brand fidelity, quality operations, maximum functional capacity, and consistency in training, programmatic standards, and best practices.
OUR MISSION & DNA
LOCAL IMPACT
Founded as Girls Hope in 1991, Boys Hope Girls Hope of Pittsburgh helps scholars tap into their God-given strengths to rise up from disadvantaged backgrounds and strive for more. Boys Hope Girls Hope of Pittsburgh serves youth who want to attend college and create successful futures for themselves and their families. Scholars have joined the program to receive support on their journey to college and beyond. They seek the academic resources, extracurricular opportunities, and mentor relationships Boys Hope Girls Hope provides.
See how Boys Hope Girls Hope is prioritizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
HISTORY
1991
The Sisters of St. Joseph founded Girls Hope, the Network’s first girls’ home, in Baden, Pennsylvania. The doors opened with two Sisters as Residential Counselors serving four girls in the program.
1992
Four additional girls entered the program, enabling us to serve eight young women in total.
2006
Jen Heid joins Girls Hope as the Director of Residential Programming.
2012
Tom Wiese becomes Executive Director.
2019
Through housing, educating, and nurturing our scholars, we have seen 19 women graduate college and launch successful careers.
2020
Rebranded to Boys Hope Girls Hope of Pittsburgh!
Boys were recruited to expand service to include our first residence for boys.
2023
Tom Wiese retires as Executive Director. Ali Brush is selected as the incoming Executive Director. Jen Heid is promoted to Director of Operations. Lenell Hale is hired as the new Program Director.
LEADERSHIP
The Boys Hope Girls Hope of Pittsburgh Board of Directors and team leadership collaborate to ensure mission fidelity, financial stewardship and transparency. Together, these professionals are committed to continuous learning, effective programming and improvement through impact evaluation and innovation.
Ali Brush
Executive Director
Lenell Hale
Director of Programs
Jen Heid
Director of Operations
Deb Cecotti
Community Resource Coordinator
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
F. Duffy Hanna, Chair
President
Howard Hanna Financial Services
Megan Duffy, Vice Chair
Shanon Rohr, Secretary
The Ellis School
Lacey Anderson, Treasurer
Managing Director
Deloitte & Touche LLC
Maria Bernier
Vice President & General Counsel Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
Betsy Brown
Associate Professor
George Mason University
Andrea Curtis
Financial Advisor
Merrill Lynch
Anissa Gilbert
Digital Product Manager, VP
PNC Bank
Amit S. Grover
Executive Director
Morgan Stanley
Sr. Christy Hill
Sisters of St. Joseph
Brent Jernigan
The Neighborhood Academy
Matt Johnson
President & CEO
Russell Standard Corporation
Mary Kate Joyce
Marketing Director
Ansys, Inc.
Meredith Ley
Real Estate Agent
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services
George Linge
Chief Managing Counsel
PNC Bank
Alicia Locker
Academic Engagement Specialist
Office of Biometric & Identity Management
Department of Homeland Security
Sr. Rosanne Oberleitner
Sisters of Saint Joseph
Kristin Ostby
President & CEO
Boys Hope Girls Hope
Lisa Shanley
Realtor
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services
Louisa Urgo Shin
Physician Assistant
UPMC
Angela Vicario
Vice President
KeyBank
Yalanda Wells
Commercial Banker
Bank of America
Matt Zack
Vice President, Corporate Development
Ansys, Inc.
EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS
YOUNG LEADERSHIP BOARD
Amanda Abernathy
Arrive Health
Kylie Battles
Ansys, Inc.
Andrea Curtis, President
Merrill Lynch
Viktoria Heiser
Ansys, Inc.
Caitlin Kelley
UPMC Enterprises
Alicia Locker, Fundraising Chair
Department of Homeland Security
Sarah Miller
Allegheny Health Network
Haley Pesci
Ansys, Inc.
Corey Sam
Keller Williams Realty
Yalanda Wells, Activities Chair
Bank of America
HERE IS HOW YOU CAN PROVIDE HOPE
HERE IS HOW YOU CAN PROVIDE HOPE