Sidney Kushner - Founder & Executive Director

Sidney grew up in Pittsburgh and founded Connecting Champions as a 19-year-old in memory of his friend Lauren. He graduated with a degree in Applied Mathematics from Brown University and was named a top 100 student entrepreneur in the nation by Stanford University. He has been honored in Pittsburgh's inaugural class of 30 Under 30, featured in Harvard Business Review and Forbes, and highlighted as a guest writer in Pittsburgh Magazine. He also enjoys building specialized Outcomes Reporting software and Donor Databases for nonprofits in Pittsburgh.
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Fun Fact: "One day in high school, my psychology teacher gave us a challenge: whoever memorized the most digits of Pi (the mathematical number) in one day would win an actual pie from the teacher! I really wanted that pie, so I went home and memorized as many numbers as I possibly could. In class the following day I remembered 101 digits!

...my teacher forgot the pie."

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Jen Lutz- Friendship Champion

Jen, a proud Pittsburgher and Duquesne University graduate, spent nine years working in Fairfax County, VA as an elementary school teacher.  Jen brings her knowledge of child development, understanding of academic and social milestones, as well as her love of building relationships with kids and families to the Connecting Champions family.  She is excited to help Connecting Champions continue creating inspirational friendships and many, many smiles!  

Fun Fact: “My parents have ALWAYS been some of my favorite people and best friends.  My dad and I took our friendship up a notch during the first semester of my graduate program at Duquesne University’s School of Education.  My dad was finishing his final semester there, as well, and our evening class schedule overlapped.  We would often meet for coffee in the Student Union prior to class.  We discussed the events of our days and he would even give me tips on how to best get along with some of my professors that he had had in previous semesters. It was awesome to get to know my dad in a new way!”

Coy Thompson - Friendship Champion

Coy was born and raised in Harrisburg, PA and he is a 2002 graduate of Allegheny College.  Shortly after graduating from Allegheny he moved to North Carolina and acquired his Montessori Teacher Certification in 3-6 year education.  Coy taught in a Montessori school in Greensboro, NC until 2008.  Then he and his wife joined the United States Peace Corps.  They spent their time serving in Belize and Costa Rica. After returning to the U.S. in 2011 Coy found a home at a Montessori school in Pittsburgh, PA.  He taught there for three years prior to joining the Connecting Champions team. He is excited to bring all that he has learned to the families that Connecting Champions serves. 


Fun Fact: "I love trying new food, and I make a point to try any new food that I am offered, as long as the person serving it eats it too. I have gotten to try many surprising good dishes this way, such as gibnut, pigeon soup and tacos de lengua."

Alyssa Rapelje - Program Champion

​Alyssa is originally from Columbus, Ohio! Upon graduating from Allegheny College in 2016, she undertook a year of service with the Pittsburgh Urban Leadership Service Experience (PULSE) Program. During this time, and for the subsequent three years, she worked for the nonprofit Beverly's Birthdays. Alyssa is excited to join the Connecting Champions team and to continue to support children and families. 

Fun Fact: ​"In addition to working with children, I love to travel and experience new places, people, and cultures! I fed a blind rhino in Kenya, rode a bobsled down the Olympic track in Utah, and saw the Pope in Japan." 

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​Sloane Strauss - Program Champion

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​Sloane grew up in Piqua, OH, but has been living in West Virginia since 2013. She attended Wheeling Jesuit University for her undergraduate studies and received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, then went on to attended West Virginia University for her Master's Degree in Child Development and Family Studies. Sloane is passionate about working with youth and helping others achieve their dreams and pursue their passions. She is beyond excited to have the opportunity to pursue her own passions by working with the children and families in Connecting Champions. 

Fun Fact: ​"I have been to the most southern point of Africa and saw where the Pacific and Indian oceans blend together!" 

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Board of Directors

Tracey Reed Armant
  Program Officer at The Grable Foundation

Mark Broadhurst
   Vice President Corporate Dining & Retail Development at Eat'n Park Hospitality Group

Dana Gold
  Chief Operating Officer at Jewish Family and Children's Service of Pittsburgh 
  (and serial nonprofit entrepreneur)

Chrissy Lookabaugh
  Parent of a child who is an alumnus in Connecting Champions

Linda McAllister-Lucas MD & PhD
  Chief of Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC

Terrence McAllister
  Financial Advisor at MassMutual of Pittsburgh
  Member of Connecting Champions’ Young Professional Advisory Board
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Deb Mills-Scofield
  Owner of Mills-Scofield LLC [innovation/strategic planning consulting firm], based in Cleveland

Jonnett Maurer 
  Operations and Partnership Director at PULSE

​Jane Kogan 
  Assoc. Chief Research and Translation Officer at UPMC Center for High-Value Health Care  

Brain Trust (Young Professionals Advisory Board) 

Alanna Figurelli
Compensation Associate, Officer at PNC​

Heather Hibala
Annual Giving Associate at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh

Amy Malishchak
Brand Communications Coordinator
Eat’n Park Hospitality Group, Inc.

Terrence McAllister
Financial Advisor at MassMutual of Pittsburgh 

Ashleen Wilwohl
Group Sales Manager at W Hotels

Kevin Wright
Teen Alum of Connecting Champions
Student at Gettysburg College

Sean Nolan
​Teen Alum of Connecting Champions
Student at Robert Morris University

Medical Adviser

Andrew Bukowinski, MD
​Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh