Staff & Board
Staff Members
Jeffrey Dorsey
(he/him/his)
Executive Director
jeffrey@unionproject.org x226
Jeffrey is a compassionate leader, collaborator, community builder, and activist. He loves being at Union Project because he gets the opportunity to practice all of these qualities everyday. He is grateful to work with people who are also actively working toward positive change in their lives and communities. When he isn’t at UP you will find him walking in nature, meditating, playing soccer, or making paintings as social commentary.
Michelle Clesse
(she/her)
Deputy Director
michelle@unionproject.org x229
Michelle is an engagement escalator, data junkie, spreadsheet fanatic, and visual artist. She believes clay can and should be used to unite people and build empathy. She is dedicated to making sure everyone has the chance to explore clay. Outside of UP, Michelle really enjoys baking, lifting weights, and making spreadsheets to track all sorts of nonsense.
Mac McCusker
(he/they)
Ceramics Studio Manager
mac@unionproject.org
Mac is a transgender artist and activist whose work addresses the inequalities and systemic prejudices against the LGBTQIA community. Mac has lectured nationally about gender and gender identity. His clay work has been published in Ceramics Monthly and Studio Potter. Mac began his art career as a painter and still enjoys painting portraits when not in the clay studio.
Pamela Weatherspoon
(she/her)
Event Rental Manager
pamela@unionproject.org
Pamela is a Pittsburgh native who grew up right here in the East End. She brings such joy to UP – always planning her next trip, laughing at Michelle’s jokes, or talking about what food she would cater for a party. A self-described crazy dog lady, she holds particular affection for her handsome Shi Tzu, Bentley. Pamela loves to indulge in a dive bar, a greasy diner, and reality tv. As an introverted social butterfly, she’s excellent at making meaningful connections and bringing fun and razzle-dazzle to the Union Project team and rental experiences.
Rebecca McNeil
(she/her/hers)
Shared Chief Financial Officer, Arts Finance Cohort
rmcneil@artscohort.org
Rebecca is a number genius and uses budgets to tell stories. She’s basically the Tolkien of excel. Rebecca comes to Union Project through her shared role with The Arts Finance Cohort members including Contemporary Craft, New Hazlett Theater, Pittsburgh Glass Center, Union Project, and the Kelly Strayhorn Theater. Rebecca is a classically trained clarinetist with a degree in performance and plays clarinet with a local community ensemble. She loves vegan treats (and the occasional Dr. Pepper).
Sam Laffey
(she/her)
Marketing Coordinator
sam@unionproject.org
Sam is a writer, designer, artist, social media addict, and marketer dedicated to supporting artists and small arts organizations. She loves working with Union Project because we are always looking for ways to push ourselves to build a more empathetic and equitable community through the arts. We’re never “done.” Sam has two dogs that run her life, is obsessed with the color green, and watches way too much TV.
Alison Babusci
(she/her)
Arts Education Consultant
alison@unionproject.org
Alison is an educator, artist, and storyteller with over thirty years of experience engaging children and adults. She is deeply committed to helping as many humans as possible find the joy and connection that comes from participating in ceramic art activities with Union Project. Alison is also a textile artist, creating in several ways, including sewing, dyeing, and making puppets.
Board Members
Adam Kenney
(Chair)
Managing Director of Programs, Bridgeway Capital
Courtney Davenport
(Co-Chair)
Senior Analyst, Global Impact Citizenship, Bank of New York Mellon
Jordan Schweinsberg
(Treasurer)
Experience Managing Consultant – Risk & Compliance, Cross-Country Consulting
Gregory Murray
(Secretary)
Trial Attorney, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Christy Bondi
Manager of Aerie On-Body Styling, Arie/American Eagle Headquarters
Sonya Dugal
Board Certified Art Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor and Board-Certified Transgender Care Therapist using an experiential, feminist, multicultural approach
Anna Kearney
Impact Investing Consultant
Amanda Markovic
Associate Principal Architect, GBBN
Kalani Palmer
Associate Professor in Professional Studies in Education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
Sarah Thompson
Contract Analyst at Carnegie Mellon University Office of Fundraising
Elizabeth Venturino
Manager, Data Governance, UPMC Health Plan