Staff & Board

Staff Members

Jeffrey Dorsey

(he/him/his)

Executive Director

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

[email protected] 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

[email protected]

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.

Rebecca McNeil

(she/her/hers)

Shared Chief Financial Officer, Arts Finance Cohort

[email protected]

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

[email protected]

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

[email protected]

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

Kalani Palmer

(Secretary)
Professor in Professional Studies in Education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)

Christy Bondi

Manager of Aerie On-Body Styling, Aerie/American Eagle Headquarters

Sonya Dugal

Board Certified Art Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor and Board-Certified Transgender Care Therapist using an experiential, feminist, multicultural approach