Sidney Kushner - Founder & Executive Director

Sidney grew up in Pittsburgh and founded Connecting Champions as a 19-year-old after his friend Lauren passed away from cancer. He graduated with a degree in Applied Mathematics from Brown University. Sidney was named a top 100 student entrepreneur in the U.S. by Stanford University, featured in Harvard Business Review and Forbes, and honored in Pittsburgh’s inaugural class of 30 Under 30.
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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 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."

Arias Fischer - Assistant of Everything

​Arias is a farm girl from Southern Ohio that grew up riding horses and playing in the mud. She fell in love with music and decided to pursue it further with a Bachelor's degree from Morehead State University in Music Education and a Master's degree in Music Performance from Appalachian State University. Arias discovered that what she loved most about teaching music and performing was the positive impact that it has on the lives of others, and found another avenue for this passion for helping others through working with Connecting Champions. Arias is excited to join the Connecting Champions team and to make a difference in the lives of children and families. 

Fun Fact: ​"When not working for Connecting Champions or playing her trumpet, you can probably find me somewhere in the woods, either hiking or mountain biking. I love adventures and exploration, and have always felt a strong connection to nature. Outside is my favorite place to be!" 

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Kelley Gavel- Friendship Assistant Intern

​Kelley is a Pennsylvania native and a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University.  Kelley spent the last year teaching 5th grade in Galway, Ireland and came home to the states to teach high school special education and gifted elementary education outside of Philadelphia.  She recently moved to Pittsburgh to pursue her masters in Applied Developmental Psychology at The University of Pittsburgh with a concentration in Children with Special Health Care Needs and Child Life.  When Kelley is not in school as a teacher or a student, she enjoys working at her favorite place in the world, The Double H Ranch, a summer camp designed for children with chronic illnesses.  

Fun fact: "I'm left handed and could eat fajitas and guacamole every single day of my life."

Teresa Dietrich- Storytelling Intern

Teresa is an undergrad studying psychology at Carnegie Mellon University. While researching potential internships she was inspired to look up Connecting Champions by her history professor, who recommended the organization. Reading over the information, Teresa realized the organization would be a perfect fit for her and would enable her to combine developmental psychology and journalism in a meaningful way. Her job now is to delve into the lives and relationships of the champions and their mentors. She plans to aid Connecting Champions in their national expansion by bringing their stories to a wider audience. When she's not meeting families and generating articles, Teresa can be found at home with a book and something baking in the oven.

Fun Fact: "I learned how to read when I was three but couldn't snap my fingers until I was twelve. Life is about balance."

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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 CCChampions

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

Brain Trust (Young Professionals Advisory Board) 

Alanna Figurelli
Compensation Associate, Officer at PNC​

Heather Hibala
Administrative Assistant of Corporate Giving & Community Partnerships at Eat’n Park 
Hospitality Group

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

Terrence McAllister
Financial Advisor at MassMutual of Pittsburgh 

Haley Roberts
Accounts Manager at Extended Day Services

Ashleen Wilwohl
Group Sales Manager at W Hotels

Kevin Wright
Child Alum of Connecting Champions
Student at Gettysburg College
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Medical Adviser

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