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Summer Dean

Summer is a mission-driven Christian, wife, and mother, focused on impacting those she can. She has a close family member, a young lady entering adulthood, that is adopted. She is passionate about helping her and other young people navigate the obstacles they may face as they grow and mature. Summer has dedicated 10 years to mentoring teenagers and young adults and loves to help them discover their unique gifts and talents while supporting them as they maneuver unexpected challenges that may arise. Professionally, Summer has 15 years of fundraising experience and is currently a consultant for Advancement Advisors, a fundraising firm based in Pittsburgh, PA. She is married to her college sweetheart, Sean and they have 2 children Mason and Mila.

Ja-Neen Jones

Ja-Neen Jones is the Director of Adoption & Foster Care Services at TRAC Services for Families where she has been employed for 14 years. While this position holds multiple responsibilities she is known as the “resource person” for Western Pennsylvania regarding foster/adoption focus issues.

Ja-Neen leadership style has been instrumental in motivating and empowering others to lead. She has a vast network of professionals throughout the country. However, prides herself with coordinating the Waiting Child segments featured on the KDKA/CBS Pittsburgh. She attends dozens of events throughout the year that allow her to speak on behalf of the thousands of children throughout the state that are waiting for a family.

Ja-Neen is also an adjunct professor at Allegheny County Community College (CCAC), this allows her to connect and assist students through their educational journey.

She is the mother of two young adult children Jaylen and Jaz-zee. They enjoy traveling and creating new memories together. Ja-Neen is an active member of Macedonia Church of Pittsburgh and serves as the leader of the Companionship Ministry. Ja-Neen believes that she can do all things through Christ who strengthens her and knows the best is yet to come.

Kristen Moss

Kristen Moss is a wife and mother who is passionate about helping children, especially those in most need. She enjoys volunteering at local non-profits and wants to live by example to show her children the importance of giving your time and effort to helping others. Kristen is a Manager at Maher Duessel and is a licensed Pennsylvania CPA who has worked in public accounting since 2012. She graduated from Grove City College with a B.S. in Accounting and Finance and is a member of the AICPA and PICPA. Kristen has served on audit teams for several non-profit clients in the Greater Pittsburgh Area and has extensive non-profit accounting and financial reporting knowledge.

Valerie Rose

Valérie is the CEO of Rose Real Estate, LLC, and a Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Realty. She started her career with JP Morgan Brussels in Belgium, her country of origin. French is her first language. After the acquisition of the company by the Bank of New York, Valérie was granted a temporary transfer to the head office in New York City. When her husband’s job relocated them to Pittsburgh, she reinvented herself in the real estate market. Helping people has always been an important goal in Valérie’s life, professionally and personally. When she decided with her husband to only have one child to balance life and career, she knew that it would also allow her to help other less fortunate children. Valérie partnered a few years ago with the Foster Love Project and a portion of her commissions is donated to the organization every year. Her son, Tyler has been a regular volunteer for the past few years as well. In addition to her charitable activities with FLP, she sponsors families every year around the holidays to make sure that the children receive everything on their wish lists. She is a founding and committee member of the South Hills Chapter of Inspired Women Pittsburgh. The group raises funds quarterly to transform Girls’ and Women’s lives.

Leon Harrison

Leon M. Harrison Sr. is a passionate leader who believes in social responsibility through community leaders. As a child coming up where his grandmother often assisted in raising him, his siblings, and his cousins, he is no stranger to seeing the vial age step in to advance a child’s life. Leon has over 15 years of experience working as a case manager for adjudicated youth and also foster care. Additionally, he has been able to add value to youth through youth sports, churches, and local organizations.

Leon is married to his college sweetheart Shanita and they together have 3 children Todd, Leon Jr, and Ava. Leon currently Pastors the Morning Star Baptist Church in West Mifflin and is also the CEO & Founder of The Harrison Financial Group and The 9ine Media Group.

Tabatha Wendorff

Tabatha has spent a lot of time volunteering with organizations that impact the lives of children and families in her community. She is committed to making the community a place where everyone feels like they belong, and that they can thrive. Professionally, Tabatha is a passionate HR professional who believes that an organization cannot succeed without the right humans! Her mantra is that she is here to put the Human back in Human Resources. Tabatha has been working in HR and training for 10 years and has spent that time focused in the nonprofit space. Tabatha is a native Pittsburgher who loves to volunteer and travel with her husband Aric.

Shannon Prentiss

After graduating from Clarion University of Pennsylvania in 2012, Shannon returned to The
Neighborhood Academy as an AmeriCorps Teaching Assistant. During her time as a Teaching
Assistant, she realized that her passion for helping was able to be fulfilled right at her alma
mater, The Neighborhood Academy. Following her term of service, she applied for the position
of Student Recruiter & College Counselor, becoming the first TNA graduate to become a
member of our staff. During her time at The Neighborhood Academy she began to understand
even more the importance of family structure and support, student support services, and a holistic
approach to ensuring student success in both secondary education and post-secondary education.
In 2017, Shannon continued her education at Carlow University where she received a dual
Master’s in Professional Counseling and Student Affairs. Shortly before graduating from her
graduate program, Shannon was promoted to Director of Admissions and Director of College
and Career Counseling where she focused on strategic priorities of enrollment and retention,
community partnership, and college acceptance, graduation, and workforce development. In
2022, Shannon was named the Dean of Student Affairs where she continues to work
collaboratively with school leadership, administrator, faculty, staff, students, and their families. .
Shannon is truly passionate about serving young people as they grow into their fullest potential.
She is grateful to be able to be a small part of their journey and to be a part of networks they
provide resources and services to families as they navigate the challenges of life.

Jamie Strate

Jamie Strate currently serves as the Director of Marketing and Community Engagement at Continuum Capital Advisors, a financial planning firm based in downtown Pittsburgh.  Jamie leverages her expertise to engage communities and drive the company’s marketing strategies forward.  She joined Continuum Capital as the Director of Insurance, overseeing communication between our clients, advisors, and home office representatives.

Before joining Continuum Capital Advisors, Jamie took a meaningful sabbatical to teach English in China, an enriching experience she shared with her family, focusing on providing her children with a global view of the world.  This international experience not only broadened her horizons but also enriched her ability to connect with diverse audiences.

Prior to her sabbatical, Jamie dedicated eight years to Northwestern Mutual, where she specialized in insurance operations for the Pittsburgh network office.  Her commitment to excellence ensured smooth operations and high client satisfaction during her tenure.

Jamie enjoys studying sociology, finance, and philosophy, which continually inform and deepen her professional work.

Residing in Oakmont, Jamie finds joy in everyday life with her son, Joshua, and daughter, Channing. Her dedication to her family and her career reflects her commitment to building strong, supportive communities both professionally and personally.

Monica Manes Gay

Monica Manes Gay is the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement at Winchester Thurston School. In that role, she is responsible for the admissions, advancement and marketing/communications teams, while balancing the fundraising needs of the Annual Fund and a $21.5 Million Campaign. Monica joined WT in 2018 and has over 25 years experience in fundraising, stewardship, event-planning, and marketing, having worked for the Lauri Ann West Community Center, CASA of Allegheny County, and the Pittsburgh Symphony.

Monica earned her Bachelor of Music at Duquesne University and her Masters of Music at Catholic University in Washington DC. She grew up in the Bloomfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh and currently resides in O’Hara Township with her husband and two daughters.

Russell Ivey

Russell Ivey is a Director of Finance at Thermo Fisher Scientific. He focuses on leveraging his expertise to drive profitable growth and create value within organizations. In a career spanning over two decades, he is known for his financial acumen. He has built and led high performing teams while driving process optimization, change management and strategic execution. Russell’s passion for supporting children and families stems from a personal connection. The foster care system served as a backstop for his mother. That fact that a family stood in the gap for her serves as a constant reminder that every child deserves a stable, safe and nurturing environment.
Russell is married to a loving and supportive wife and is the proud father of two amazing children. He enjoys spending time with his family, conquering the elevations of Pittsburgh on his bike, cooking and playing golf.

Learn More About FLP

Learn More About FLP & its Community Impact

Check out our selection of videos to learn more about the impact of Foster Love Project and how you can get involved in our mission to empower kids and families who are experiencing foster care!