Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Ms. LaTrenda Leonard Sherrill
President
Principal, Common Cause Consultants
(2023–2026)

“I joined the Board because I care about children in this region. I am now a mother of two young children, and I know the work of embedding the value of early childhood is critical to the economic development of Southwestern Pennsylvania, and to keeping families here. I am so happy that I get to serve alongside others that value the trajectories of our babies, and those that care for them.”

Ms. Jennifer Beer
Vice President
President & CEO, Leadership Pittsburgh, Inc.
(2023–2026)

“As soon as I dropped my daughter off at our child care center when she was about seven weeks old, I had a new appreciation for child care and the industry as a whole…wanting to make sure my child – and every child – was safe and getting the best care, but also that the caregivers and the facility had access to the best funding and resources they needed. With a background in advocacy, I felt I’d be able to help advance some of the public policies that could make a positive impact on child care and early learning for many families across our region.”

Ms. Julie Paden
Secretary
Vice President, PNC Bank & Program Manager, PNC Grow Up Great
(2022–2025)

“My role with PNC Grow Up Great, where the primary focus is to prepare children from birth to age give for success in school and life, aligns so well with the Trying Together mission. Further, I have such respect for what Trying Together has already accomplished and for their ongoing commitment to our region’s most valuable resource – the children of our future.”

Mr. Dan Waltman
Treasurer
Director, Wealth Management Tax Services, PwC
(2024–2027)

“I joined Trying Together’s Board because we entrust child care providers to help shape and mold our children at their most impressionable ages. Trying Together supports families, educators, and child care providers in delivering balanced early childhood experiences that have far-reaching effects on the lives of our children, and the communities that they are a part of. As a parent, I cannot think of a better way to support my local community than by continuing to help deliver on Trying Together’s mission.”

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Board of Directors

Ms. Simone Baer
Founder and CEO, SPB Strategies
(2024-2027)

“I joined the board because I believe ensuring well funded and high quality care and education to our youngest citizens is the most critical work we can do for our community. As the mother of two young children who have benefited directly from Trying Together’s work and commitment to young children and their teachers, I am committed to ensuring that the organization can continue to grow and increase the number of children and teachers they benefit. I am thrilled to participate in and hopefully advance Trying Together’s incredibly important mission.”

Ms. Victoria Clavelli Lancaster
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Operational Excellence, University of Pittsburgh
(2024-2027)

“As a former single parent of a child with special needs, I deeply understand the importance of early childhood care, community, and education. Trying Together’s mission to advocate for children, empower families, and support the professionals who shape young lives aligns closely with my own passion and experience. I’m excited to contribute to an organization that not only provides essential resources locally but also extends its impact regionally and nationally, ensuring all children have the opportunities and support they need to thrive, while helping their families navigate any challenges they may face.”

Ms. Tamia L. Davis, M.S.
Owner/Director, Davis Family Childcare, LLC
(2023-2026)

“I joined Trying Together’s Board because as a provider in the community, I understand the importance of supporting families, child growth, and investing in those who interact with children daily. High-quality care and education is a top priority for the children of the future.”

Ms. Mara L. Frank
Senior Manager, Ernst & Young
(2022–2025)

“I joined the Board of Trying Together as education is a passion of mine. It is the foundation for success. As a mother of a young child, navigating through motherhood and my career, I understand now more than ever, how critical it is for children to have access to quality care and education. It takes a village to raise, care for, and educate a child, and Trying Together is an advocate for children and the adults who interact with them, focusing on educating all on the importance of and striving to enhance access to quality care and education for children and quality resources for the adults who care for and educate them.”

Ms. Sherlyn Harrison, EdD
Chief Program Officer, Pittsburgh Scholar House
(2023-2026)

“Joining the Board of Directors for Trying Together is an opportunity to further support an organization that was a vital partner throughout my career as the PPS Early Head Start Program Manager. Trying Together consistently enriched the infant/toddler programs through offering unique storytime experiences, hosting professional development, coordinating enrollment initiatives to connect families with high quality early childhood programs, and more. As a champion for early childhood and racial equity, I am committed to addressing and advocating for the social, emotional, and educational needs of young children and families. This is my why and I am super excited to contribute to Trying Together in this new role.”

Ms. Kavita Iyengar
Vice President, Procurement, Highmark Health
(2023–2026)

“As a mom and especially as an immigrant working mom, I am where I am thanks to the wonderful child care and education programs I had access to. I strongly believe that investments in child care programs help cultivate a future workforce, secure long-term economic competitiveness — especially for working women — and develop our nation’s future leaders! Trying Together’s vision and commitment spoke to me as we are working to do just that for children and the adults who interact with them by providing them access to quality care and the resources! Becoming a member of their Board allows me an opportunity to give back by being proactive in influencing policies that benefit children, care and education providers, and ultimately, their families!

Mr. Casey Mindlin
National Director of Reading Partnerships, Scholastic
(2022–2025)

“I joined the board because I feel there is no higher calling than to aid and support young children everywhere, with no exceptions. The quality of care and education our children receive early in life will be dictated by the depth of our collective commitment to their future, and there are few organizations more steeped in the fight for children in Western PA than Trying Together. Having worked for five years and counting at Scholastic, the world’s largest publisher, and distributor of children’s books, I’m all too aware of the importance the beginning years of a child’s life hold. That is why it’s an honor to serve alongside such an inspiring group of child advocates – our future depends on people like my fellow board members and the Trying Together staff.”