Kelly Hughes: Executive Director, Founder
Kelly Hughes is wife to Andrew and mom to 4 kids, two of whom were adopted through foster care. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Northland International University. As foster parents to eight children at different times, she and her husband were often overwhelmed at the challenges during transition times. With a burden and desire to help others in this scenario, she created the Foster Love Project to help provide bags of new goods for kids transitioning into foster care. In 2017, this developed into operating a full-time free shopping center for kids in foster or kinship care. Kelly is passionate about her faith as well as speaking to the needs of kids in foster care or adoption. They maintain an open adoption with their kids' first family and love to share the important need for maintaining that connection. Along with the FLP staff, Kelly is passionate about continuing to provide education, resources and community in the realms of foster care and adoption in Pittsburgh and Western PA. You can reach her here.
Director of Development and Communications: Jina O'Neill
Jina O’Neill’s true passion is for helping others! She is a young philanthropist and change agent. Jina earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Spanish from Chatham University. Shortly after obtaining her degree, 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 Queen’s University of Charlotte. While at Queen’s University, 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 non-profits 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 Board of Directors for the Chatham University Alumni Association and is a member of PAWS, the Auxiliary Humane Society of Broward County.
Angela Damiano: Programs Coordinator
Angela Damiano joined the Foster Love Project Family, taking on the role of Programs Coordinator in September, 2021. As an adult adoptee, Angela has a passion for working with young people within the foster and adoptive community. Angela served as a member of the development team at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG aquarium where she discovered her love for planning and organizing events. Angela holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In her free time Angela enjoys traveling, spending time with her nieces and nephews, or catching the newest movie. Angela is overjoyed to join the Foster Love Project team and help continue their amazing work.
Krissy Evans: Center Manager
Krissy Evans joined the FLP staff as our new Donation Center Supervisor in February of 2020. Krissy brings a passion for helping others as well as enthusiasm for creating, organizing and planning to our team. She has served as the President of the West View Elementary PTA and has extensive experience in volunteering for organizations such as Safe Families, the Alzheimer’s Association and Therapy Dogs International. Krissy holds a degree in Gerontology from California University of PA, but her love of serving others is not limited to older adults. She is excited to join the Foster Love team and will use 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 for questions about donations, shopping appointments or volunteer opportunities here.
Elizabeth Baldoni: Executive Assistant and Outreach Coordinator
Elizabeth Baldoni joined our staff in September 2019. She currently serves in the role as Executive Assistant and Outreach Coordinator. 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 will assist guests in the Center and accompany families to events in the community. 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.
Samantha McGough: Engagement Coordinator
Samantha was born, raised and lives just minutes away from our new location on Trenton St. She is passionate about giving back to the community and making a difference with the families that live here. She is a Woodland Hills graduate who went on to work at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium for over 14years. She has a strong background working with large groups of volunteers and the needs of a non-profit. She also has an Associates degree from CCAC. She is creative and loves to interact with people. Sam is also a counselor annually at the SWAN conference for children ages 12-18. In her spare time Sam can be found running in highland park training for the next P3R race or snuggled up on her couch reading. Sam helps coordinate our large groups of volunteers. You can reach her here.
Kris Snow: Center Assistant
Kris Snow joined Foster Love Project in September 2022 as a Center Assistant. She brings her
extensive experience with women, youth, and children’s groups from the church organization
she attends. She loves to help others feel welcome and make new friends. She plans to finish
her Bachelor of Science in 2023. Kris is a mom of three children who are all adopted. She is
thrilled to be a part of the Foster Love Project team! She cares deeply for others. Kris looks
forward to greeting those that enter Foster Love Project’s doors to assist and help them feel
comfortable.
extensive experience with women, youth, and children’s groups from the church organization
she attends. She loves to help others feel welcome and make new friends. She plans to finish
her Bachelor of Science in 2023. Kris is a mom of three children who are all adopted. She is
thrilled to be a part of the Foster Love Project team! She cares deeply for others. Kris looks
forward to greeting those that enter Foster Love Project’s doors to assist and help them feel
comfortable.
Emily Thornton: Adoptee consultant + Speaking Partner
Emily Thornton joined our staff in August 2018 as Director of Finance and Donor Development. Since then she has stepped away from regular capacity as she focuses on raising her 4 young children and running her family's business. Emily brings with her a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. She also has worked for the adoption agency, Holt International, as well as another nonprofit.
Emily is a transracial Adoptee from Korea and we are grateful for her vital voice in helping Foster Love Project speak to the unique needs of kids who have experienced foster care and/or adoption. Emily & her husband are parents to 6 through birth, foster care and adoption. Kelly & Emily often speak together on the benefits of open adoption. She has a vision to expand resources available to our Pittsburgh foster and adopted youth and we are excited to implement her ideas in our region. Her life experiences are an incredible asset to our Foster Love Project community.
Emily is a transracial Adoptee from Korea and we are grateful for her vital voice in helping Foster Love Project speak to the unique needs of kids who have experienced foster care and/or adoption. Emily & her husband are parents to 6 through birth, foster care and adoption. Kelly & Emily often speak together on the benefits of open adoption. She has a vision to expand resources available to our Pittsburgh foster and adopted youth and we are excited to implement her ideas in our region. Her life experiences are an incredible asset to our Foster Love Project community.