WPC Board of Directors

Cynthia Carrow

 

Cynthia Carrow retired from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy in 2024 as vice president of government and community relations, after a 51-year career with the Conservancy. Cynthia oversaw all public policy and government affairs work for WPC, and managed the Natural Heritage Program and the Community Greening Program.

Ms. Carrow also served as a member of the Pennsylvania Citizens Advisory Council, an advisory council to Pennsylvania DEP, and the Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board, an independent body charged with review of DEP's rules and regulations.

Cynthia has a wide array of past and current community involvements that have included the Cultural Trust Advisory Board, ARCS Foundation Pittsburgh, WQED Advisory Board, and Animal Rescue League and Wildlife Center.

Cynthia lives in Sewickley with her husband Jim Kyper. Cynthia and Jim enjoy traveling, skiing, cooking, and spending time with family in Arizona.

Cynthia attended Clemson University and the University of Pittsburgh where she received a B.S. degree.

 

Gregory Hyziewicz

 

Greg Hyziewicz is a Relationship Manager for Key Private Bank covering northwest Pennsylvania. Over his career, he has worked with over 300 high-net-worth individuals and families, has managed more than $2 billion in portfolio assets, and excels in estate and charitable planning.

Greg earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance with a minor in Economics from Oklahoma State University. Interestingly, it was an architecture program that put OSU on his radar.

Greg resides in the Erie Frontier neighborhood with his longtime girlfriend Beth Eubank and her two children, Chloe and Connor. They are proud to call Erie home but can often be found at their cabin on the Allegheny River in President Township, fly fishing, golfing, or traveling around the world.

Greg has served on various board and committees, including the Erie Downtown Partnership, American Cancer Society of NWPA, Young Erie Professionals, and Erie Ambassadors.

He was introduced to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy at one of our sponsored canoe and kayak launches on the Clarion River. Greg has been a member of WPC since 2017 and has facilitated a relationship with KeyBank resulting in a sustainable gardens and communities grant in 2023. Greg is passionate about the mission, programs, and initiatives of WPC.

 

 

Justin McCann

 

Dr. Justin McCann is a Principal Software Engineer at Microsoft, specializing in computer systems and observability. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Maryland and has contributed to the field through a career spanning work with Avere Systems, the U.S. government, and early Wi-Fi networking innovations at KarlNet. His technical leadership and deep expertise have helped shape critical infrastructure and modern cloud systems.

In addition to his role at Microsoft, Dr. McCann serves on the Carnegie Museum of Natural History Advisory Board, supporting the intersection of science, education, and community engagement. Along with his wife, Amber, he resides in Pittsburgh, where he enjoys time with their three amazing adult children, hiking with their dog Max, road cycling, pub trivia, and traveling.

 

Al Barbour

 

Al Barbour is president and CEO of Concast Metal Products Company, where he served since 1985. Concast is the leading domestic producer of continuous-cast copper alloys. Concast has been active in the field of environmentally friendly alloys for more than 20 years.

Al holds a Master of Business Administration degree from New York University’s Stern School of Business and a Bachelor of Science degree from Boston University. He has served on trade association boards including the Copper Development Association, the Non-Ferrous Founders Society and the Copper and Brass Service Center Association. In the community, he has served as a board member at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Al and his wife, Mary, live on a historic Benno Janssen property in Sewickley Heights where they have restored the structures and the gardens. Their gardens have been included in the Smithsonian Institution’s Archives of American Gardens.

Al and Mary have an adult daughter who lives in Santa Barbara. Al is a trail cyclist, has a passion for architecture and, in addition to his own homes, has been involved in new building construction and historic restorations of existing structures. Al joined the WPC board in 2023 and serves on the audit committee.

 

 

Marie Cosgrove-Davies

 

Marie Cosgrove-Davies is an avid gardener, a keen reader, and an engaged hiker and camper. Professionally, she is a software Product Manager, with a focus on tools used by software engineers. Marie moved to Pittsburgh in 2016 from the San Francisco area after a careful review of potential areas to settle down long-term and loves it here! She grew up in the DC area and went to college at Swarthmore, outside of Philadelphia, where she graduated with a BS in engineering. After college she served in the Peace Corps for two years, teaching basic computer skills in rural Tanzania, before embarking on her career in tech. She enjoys beekeeping, quilting, tending to her Audubon-certified backyard habitat, and growing everything from pawpaws to mushrooms in her urban backyard.

Marie joined the Conservancy’s Emerging Leaders Advisory Committee in 2018, became chair in 2022, and joined the WPC board of directors in 2023. She is also a supporter of Grow Pittsburgh. She and her husband Chris Jordan-Squire live in Pittsburgh.

 

 

Debra Dermody

 

Debra recently retired as an attorney with Reed Smith of Pittsburgh. She began her practice at Reed Smith in 1987, following completion of her federal appellate clerkship. Debra focused her civil litigation practice in the area of antitrust. Her litigation experience included principal responsibility for matters before federal and state trial and appellate courts, as well as before federal and state antitrust enforcement authorities. Debra served as Co-Chair of Reed Smith’s Global Regulatory Enforcement Group.

Listed in Best Lawyers in America for antitrust work, Debra’s client base included major financial institutions, investment advisors and primary manufacturing industries, such as steel, pharmaceuticals and industrial safety products. She also advised health insurers, hospitals and medical device manufacturers. Debra serves on the board of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater and as a Director for Kids Voice.

Debra’s husband Frank previously served as House Democratic Leader in Harrisburg representing the 33rd Legislative District. They live in Oakmont and have two children, Frank and Cara. Debra joined the board of directors in 2013 and has been serving as Chair since 2023. She serves on the executive, finance and personnel committees.

 

 

Susan Fitzsimmons

 

Susan S. Fitzsimmons served as vice president of Snavely Forest Products and now works at Snavely Warwick. Susan earned her B.A. degree in Communication from West Virginia University and her master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

Snavely Forest Products, founded in 1902, is one of the oldest building products sales and distribution companies in the United States. In addition to its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Snavely has nine sales and distribution divisions in strategic cities across the country. Snavely earned its reputation selling and distributing specialty building products such as engineered wood, wood-polymer composites, vinyl and high grade “white” wood.

On the company board of directors and executive committee, Susan had responsibility for corporate involvement in marketing and customer and vendor support.

In addition to her work at Snavely, Susan most recently held the position of board chair of NAWLA, the International Building Products Trade Association; board chair of Auberle; and board member of the 25 Club of Magee Women’s Hospital. She has been a member of the WPC Board of Directors since 1998 and served as board chair from 2012 until 2021. She serves on the executive, finance and personnel committees.

 

 

Paula Foradora

 

Paula Foradora is a CPA and has spent much of her career in the finance and consulting practice. Paula is a General Partner of Nine Star Capital, LP, a land holding company which has worked closely with the Jefferson County Economic Development Office in the development of the Jefferson County Business Park in Pine Creek Township. The site is a Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone and provides many jobs to the community. Paula also sat on the Clearly Ahead Development board which acts as a driver of economic activity and job creation to the Clearfield County region.

Paula earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her Master of Business Administration at the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business.

Paula lived for several years in the Pittsburgh area before settling in DuBois in Clearfield County. She and her husband, Scott founded Foradora Insurance in 1995.

Paula and Scott have three sons. The family enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, and water sports. She appreciates the outdoor recreational areas protected by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Pennsylvania Game Commission, DCNR and National Forest lands.

Paula joined the board in 2022 and serves on the audit committee.

 

 

Dan Frankel

 

State Rep. Dan Frankel has been a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since 1999. Currently representing the 23rd district, he is an outspoken advocate for civil rights and public health. His current focus is reducing Pennsylvania’s greenhouse and carbon emissions and protecting the rights of LGBTQ citizens. Frankel serves as the Democratic chair of the House Health Committee and co-chairs the PA SAFE and LGBTQ+ Equality caucuses. He promotes science-based policies to protect and improve the public health of the Commonwealth.

Dan serves on the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging’s Advisory Council and the State Employee Retirement System board. He also serves as the governor’s representative to the Board of Trustees for the University of Pittsburgh.

Dan Frankel lives in Squirrel Hill. He is married to Debra Frankel, a psychotherapist. Together, they have three grown children. Dan joined the board in 2001 and serves on the community gardens and greenspace advisory committee.

 

 

Thomas Kavanaugh

 

Thomas Kavanagh is senior vice president & deputy general counsel at Highmark Health. Prior to joining the Highmark organization, Thomas was the general counsel of various public and private companies and, prior to these in-house positions, he practiced at Reed Smith LLP, where he advised clients on various mergers and acquisitions, financings and corporate governance matters. He holds a Bachelor of Science in applied economics and management from Cornell University and Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

Thomas and his wife, Megan, live in Squirrel Hill with their twin sons. Megan is Principal Research Scientist for the Guttmacher Institute based in New York, New York. Thomas serves as a board member of the Jefferson Regional Foundation. Thomas and Megan have been members and supporters of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy since 2021 and live in Pittsburgh. Thomas enjoys hiking, skiing and paddle boarding with his family. Thomas joined the board in 2023 and serves as treasurer. Thomas serves on the executive and finance committees.

 

 

Bala Kumar

 

Bala is the Global Strategy Manager at Wabtec, a rail technology company headquartered in Pittsburgh. Prior to joining Wabtec, he was an Associate at McKinsey & Co. in their Pittsburgh office. Bala received an M.B.A from Rice University, a J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, and a B.A. in English from the University of Florida. In law school, he earned a Certificate in Environmental Law, Science, and Policy and throughout his career he has advised clients in energy, manufacturing, and transportation towards sustainable practices. Bala also serves as president of the board of Fair Shake - Environmental Legal Services, a nonprofit law firm headquartered in Pittsburgh that's active in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia.

He joined the Conservancy’s board in 2019 and currently serves as secretary of the board. He also serves on the Conservancy’s emerging leaders advisory committee, the executive committee and the audit committee. Originally from Pensacola, Florida, he has lived in Pittsburgh for the past 15 years, mostly in south side.

 

 

Josh Whetzel

 

Josh is past president of the Loyalhanna Watershed Association Board of Directors.

He worked for Pittsburgh and Midway Coal Company during the first years of the Office of Surface Mining, writing mining permits and reclamation plans in Denver, Colorado.

He returned to Pittsburgh and built houses for the Urban Redevelopment Authority. Josh became interested in green building and sustainable development. He did the first remodeling of the Conservation Consultants building on Pittsburgh’s South Side. He then got involved in the production and sales of methane gas from landfills, a business in which he is still involved. He now promotes the production of renewable energy from landfill gas.

Josh has served as a board member of the Ligonier Valley Historical Society and Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future. He lives in Ligonier with his wife Marion. They have one daughter, Anne.

Josh joined the board of the Conservancy in 2004 and currently serves on the Ligonier Valley advisory committee.

 

 

Gina Winstead

 

Gina Winstead is the vice president for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility for Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh.  Before this position, Gina served as Assistant Vice President of Membership Development and External Relations of Vibrant Pittsburgh and was Director of Diversity and Engagement at the Pittsburgh Technology Council.

Gina is on the board of a number of nonprofits as well. She serves on the board of Pgh.Ai, and is a member of the Executive Board of the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership. She is a founding board member of the 412 Black Jewish Collaborative, and on Carlow University’s Advisory Council for the College of Arts and Sciences.

Gina holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and graduated from Carnegie Mellon University's Executive Leadership and Negotiation Academy for Women. Over the last two years, Gina has been named to Pittsburgh’s 40 Under 40 and the New Pittsburgh Couriers Fab40.

Gina is a member of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy’s diversity and inclusion committee and emerging leaders advisory committee. She lives in Brookline and enjoys hiking, fishing, kayaking and Pennsylvania’s outdoors with her labradoodle and fiancé too. Gina joined the board in 2022.