Liz started her career as a public high school teacher and went on to work in education non-profits before earning a Masters in Statistics and transitioning to work in technology. She now works as a Product Manager on the Ads Safety team at Google, ensuring that ads shown by Google are safe and compliant. She and her husband are former foster parents and have been involved in foster care organizations for many years. They live in Wilkinsburg and have 3 sons.
Jesse Hooke is a Senior Product Owner in the IT department at Duquesne Light Company where he has built a career over the past eight years through multiple roles. He is passionate about bridging the gap between business needs and technology, delivering data-driven solutions that meet stakeholder expectations. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Geneva College (2018) and an MBA from the University of Tennessee at Martin (2024). Outside of work, Jesse is driven by a personal mission to support vulnerable families and children, a commitment deeply rooted in his family’s faith. He and his wife, Amber, became certified foster parents in 2021 leading to the adoption of their son, Jayce, in 2022. Since beginning this journey, they have fostered two boys and continue to maintain an open home for future placements in the North Huntingdon area of Westmoreland County. Jesse actively supports the mission of Foster Love Project through volunteer work including the annual Back to School event and coordinating Corporate Friday volunteer days through his employer. He also serves in various roles at Refuge Church in Manor including the A/V and facilities/maintenance teams. When he is not working or volunteering, Jesse enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, hiking, biking, and discovering great coffee and local coffee shops.
Jina’s true passion is for helping others! She considers herself a child and animal advocate. And refers to herself as a “nonprofit nerd”. Shortly after obtaining her degree from Chatham University, she relocated to Charlotte, NC and began her career in the finance industry with Vanguard. She also earned a Master of Science in Organization Development from the McColl School of Business at Queens University of Charlotte. While at Queens, she had the opportunity to do organizational change consulting with reputable companies such as United Family Services, Great Harvest Bread Company and Habitat for Humanity. Jina operated a small business, Parties With a Cause (PWC), from 2011 to 2015. PWC was a philanthropic organization that partnered with local nonprofits to raise awareness about their cause through event management, marketing, and fundraising. Jina has previously worked for charitable organizations such as Oakland Transportation Management Association, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Brooke USA Foundation. In her spare time, she serves on the Executive Board of Directors for Chatham University’s Alumni Association as well as serving on the Board of Directors for the Greater Wilkinsburg Community Advancement Association.
Krissy Evans joined the FLP staff as our Donation Center Manager in February of 2021. Krissy brings a passion for helping others as well as enthusiasm for creating, organizing and planning to our team. Krissy holds a degree in Gerontology from California University of PA, but her love of serving others is not limited to older adults. She has extensive experience in volunteering for organizations such as the West View Elementary PTA, Safe Families, the Alzheimer’s Association, Therapy Dogs International, and Canine Companions. She is very glad to be a part of the Foster Love Project team, and uses her passion for serving her community to support the mission and values of Foster Love Project. She lives in Ross Township with her husband, three children and several cute pets that fill her Instagram feed. You can reach her with questions about donations or shopping appointments here.
Elizabeth Baldoni joined our staff in September 2019. She currently serves as our Operations Manager. A Duquesne University graduate, Liz spent many years as an English teacher in a nearby urban district. In her role at Foster Love Project, Liz oversees a myriad of aspects in helping our programs run smoothly. She ensures we always have waiting inventory of goods, oversees community partnership drives and often goes to schools to talk with kids about how they can support kids in foster care. With a passion for literacy, you can expect Liz to remind you to take plenty of books before you leave the center! Ask her anything, if she doesn’t know the answer, she will do her best to find out! You can reach her here.
Kristi Snow joined Foster Love Project in September 2022 as a Center Assistant. In 2024, she transitioned to the role of Volunteer Coordinator, in which she now helps organize and support the amazing volunteers who support our mission. With a strong background in working with women, youth, and children’s groups from the church she attends, Kristi is passionate about making others feel welcome and building strong community connections. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree and is a mom to three children who are adopted. She is excited to be a part of the Foster Love Project team and is deeply committed to helping everyone who walks through our doors feel supported and comfortable.
Heather Zambito joined Foster Love Project as a Center Assistant in October, 2022, after volunteering for several years with the Placement Bag Drive. In 2023, she took on the role of Programs Coordinator, and she now oversees several of our annual and ongoing programs. She has a Bachelor of Science in Communication, and has worked in radio announcing for several years. She has a wide range of volunteer experience with multiple non-profits. Heather was adopted as a toddler through the foster care system in West Virginia and brings her personal experience to help support kids in similar circumstances. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and four children, drinking coffee, binging sitcoms, and talking about pop culture.
Bio coming soon!
Carrie joined FLP in November 2023 and works as an office administrator. After a brief “retirement” of two weeks, Carrie returned to work, drawn to non-profit organizations supporting families and children. Before FLP, she worked in HR at Auberle and various major corporations including H&R Block, ADP, Paychex, and Strayer University, later managing HR at Cellone’s Bakery until 2018.
Carrie is dedicated to education, graduating from Seton Hill University in 1979 with a double major in English and Business. She later earned two Master’s degrees, one in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Adler University, and another in Business Administration with a Human Resources concentration from Strayer University.
She cherishes time with her 2 grandsons during weekly “Grammie” days filled with baking, crafting, reading, and playing with Disney Cars toys. Carrie is proud of her sons, Chris and Jon, and her niece Lucia, currently attending the University of Delaware. In her free time, Carrie enjoys reading, crafting, binge-watching mystery shows, and the occasional night at the casino.
Libby Hertzler joined the Foster Love Project team as a Program Assistant in May of 2024. Libby is a Pittsburgh native and a student at the University of Pittsburgh, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Applied Developmental Psychology and plans to graduate in May of 2026. She has developed a strong passion for helping and advocating for others. Libby brings experience from a variety of fields, including food service, research, and community support, which has helped shape her compassionate and adaptable approach to her work. She has also volunteered for many causes since a young age alongside her grandmother, which has sparked her commitment to service. Libby loves being a part of the Foster Love Project team and is dedicated to helping ensure that everyone who comes through the center feels welcomed and supported. In her free time, she loves to read, travel, and spend time with family and friends – but most of all, she loves being a cat mom.
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!
