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Justin Rothshank, 27
ABOUT HIM: Associate director, Union Project, created to transform a church into a community center. Ceramic artist/potter; restoration carpenter; glass blower; furniture designer. Member, Penn Avenue Arts Initiative steering committee. Peabody High School Parent/Community Council. Resides in East Liberty with his wife, Brooke.
IN HIS WORDS: "My artwork and community work is always about collaboration. I wouldn't be successful without the hard work of others. Mainly my wife, Brooke, my co-worker, Jessica King, and the over 1,300 volunteers who have made the Union Project successful." |
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Jesse Schell, 35
ABOUT HIM: Assistant professor of entertainment technology, Carnegie Mellon University; CEO, Schell Games. Develops innovative video games, including Hazmat: Hotzone, which trains firefighters for terror attacks. Currently writing a book: The Art of Game Design. Lives in Carnegie with wife, Nyra.
IN HIS WORDS: "I gave up my job at Disney because my wife and I wanted to move somewhere more family-friendly than L.A. Fortunately, the CMU Entertainment Technology Center was hiring. Pittsburgh is a dream-come-true, with world-class schools, neighborhoods and people." |
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Henry J. Simonds, 30
ABOUT HIM: President, Headwater Films, an independent media-production company. Co-producer/editor, One Shot: The Life and Work of Teenie Harris. Freelance photography curator. Board member, Quantum Theatre, Sprout Fund; partner, Pittsburgh Social Venture Partners; president, Henry John Simonds Foundation.
IN HIS WORDS: "Artistic involvement and civic engagement are extensions of my need to create, and help improve, a vision of how and where I live. We must build upon our city's strengths and make this a vital place to live and work." |
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Candy Smith, 39
ABOUT HER: Director, Family Supports, ACHIEVA, working for thousands of local people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Advocate, lobbyist and community organizer working to improve public policy for equal opportunities. Explores the city with her son, Colton.
IN HER WORDS: "Volunteerism has had a profound effect on all aspects of my life. I have always received more from volunteering than I have given. Get involved as a family and you will create generations of giving." |
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Wendy Etheridge Smith,
Ph.D., 34
ABOUT HER: Director of policy and planning, Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Child Development. Reviews research, creates effective policies and programs for early-childhood development, evaluates current policy. District co-chairperson, teacher and youth-ministry volunteer, Church of God in Christ.
IN HER WORDS: "One of the major joys in my life is making a difference in the lives of youth. Through my employment and my church, I want to help individuals achieve spiritual wholeness, academic and career achievement, and, ultimately, lifelong success. Amen!" |
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Roger Tabler, 38
ABOUT HIM: Music director, North Pittsburgh Philharmonic; music director, Pittsburgh Youth Pops Orchestra; music faculty, Mount Lebanon School District. Resides in Bethel Park with wife and two children. Interests include antiques, renovating his 200-year-old house and reading.
IN HIS WORDS: "I love performances that are events, not just concerts. The 'crisis-in-the arts' mentality is for those who forget what education and entertainment are all about. Let's lose the 'artist' title and just decide to share ideas and memories." |
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Astro Teller, 35
ABOUT HIM: CEO and co-founder, BodyMedia, an international company that produces wearable body-monitoring products to track health and fitness. Board member, Pittsburgh Technology Council; advisory board member, American Diabetes Association Advocacy Leadership Council. Scientist, patent-holder, novelist, screenwriter, artist.
IN HIS WORDS: "I aspire to build a series of commercial and artistic projects throughout my life with teams of unusually bright people who all share a gift for collaboration, empathy and creativity. Passion, persistence, integrity and humor are my compass points." |
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Jamie Wallace, 34
ABOUT HIM: Opened Abay, an Ethiopian restaurant in East Liberty, in June 2004. Active with local community development; supporter of diversity and charitable work. Background includes business-law practice.
IN HIS WORDS: "My objective in opening Abay was to add to the cultural landscape of Pittsburgh. My hope is not only that customers thoroughly enjoy their dining experience, but also that they leave with a better understanding of the world around them." |
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Brian White Jr., 32
ABOUT HIM: Assistant superintendent and secondary campus principal, Beaver Area School District. Founder, Beaver Area Academic Charter School, which offers options such as AP classes, orchestra, JROTC and a wilderness program; doctoral student. Resides with wife, Danielle, and son, Jay, in Ohio Township.
IN HIS WORDS: "I have had the honor of working with outstanding students, parents, faculty and school-board members. I hope my creative approach to education will have a positive impact on students." |
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Helen Wylie, 35
ABOUT HER: Manager, Byham Charitable Foundation through Development Dimensions International Inc.; president, Pittsburgh Young Professionals; corporate secretary, Greater Bridgeville Area Chamber of Commerce; volunteer event-planning positions with nonprofits including Cystic Fibrosis, Children's Museum and WQED Multimedia. Junior Achievement classroom volunteer.
IN HER WORDS: "I believe in the power of positive thinking. Every day I think, 'Go out and challenge your mind, broaden your horizons and dream the impossible dream.' We all can make such a difference in this world... and this city." |
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