About Us

About Us

Mission: Building support through a community of individuals dealing with cancer or conditions causing an altered self-image.   We aim to promote healing through outreach, advocacy, interaction, activity, resources, and education.

Vision: To be a regional leader in improving quality of life for everyone affected by cancer or conditions causing an altered self-image.

Values:
Integrity. We remain true to our mission and work hard to produce quality products, provide exceptional service to our constituents, and maximize the support of our donors.

Excellence. We strive to provide high-quality content and strategies, basing our insights on experience, knowledge, and data.

Leadership. We champion the importance of effective board leadership and action. It empowers boards with the knowledge of good governance practices. It encourages staff initiative and leadership and strives to be a model nonprofit organization.

Compassion.  We promise to care deeply about our individuals, their caregivers and healthcare professionals.  We are empathetic, we are open and honest, and we act with kindness, consideration, and integrity at all times.

Commitment.  We promise to provide the expertise and fortitude to deliver the highest standard of support to people affected by cancer or conditions causing an altered self-image.   We are committed to working with healthcare professionals and partner organizations to always ensure effective care.

Expertise.  We promise to continually develop our expertise, knowledge, and skills to provide cutting-edge psychological therapy services to people affected by cancer or conditions causing an altered self-image within our region.

Free Services.  We are committed to securing sustainable funding to ensure that Face2Face Healing can continue to provide its services free of charge.

    Who We Are:
    Face2Face Healing was created in response to the gap that often occurs when medicine has done all it can, but individuals are left emotionally and/or physically unable to adapt to the resulting effects of cancer or conditions causing an altered self-image. 

    Many individuals experience loneliness due to isolation and/or rejection. Regardless of the physical diagnosis, the pain and distress from cancer or an altered self-image can leave a person feeling alone, confused, and unable to resume a normal life.

    While the healing process is slightly different for each person, the goal of Face2Face Healing remains constant; empower the individual to see their inner beauty and give them back their voice.

    Face2Face Healing creates the support necessary to give individuals dealing with any type of cancer or conditions causing an altered self-image the opportunity to meet and share with others who know how they feel.  We create a caring, sharing, and supportive environment where individuals can connect and make an investment in each other’s lives.

    What We Do:

    • We provide emotional support to individuals and their caregivers with our in-person consultations or via our HIPAA compliant online counseling platform.
    • We feature survivor stories through our blog, Faces of Hope.
    • We reintroduce individuals back into the community after they have been isolated.
    • We educate individuals on programs available to assist in their recovery through our nurse coordination process.  This includes collaborating with their healthcare providers.
    • We prepare individualized care packages to make their hospital stays, treatment sessions or at home care, more comfortable.
    • We provide support groups which provide a safe place to express feelings among people who understand what each other is going through. Support groups can ease some of the feelings of isolation that can separate individuals from well-meaning, but anxious family members and friends. 

    Executive Leadership

    KAREN SCUILLI, MSN, RN, MBA

    Founder, Executive Director, and Cancer Survivor

    Karen’s journey started with a diagnosis of parotid gland cancer in May 2012. She was left emotionally, physically, and spiritually unable to adapt to the altered self-image in the journey of survivorship. She experienced many changes and losses causing her to distance herself from supportive family, friends, church, and the community. She asked, “Why did this happen to me?” and “How will I move forward?” This experience has given her a unique perspective on life. 

    Her goal for her organization is to encourage individuals, their families, healthcare professionals, and educators to come together in an innovative healing and supportive network.

    Face2Face Healing creates this network and provides the opportunity for individuals with a life changing illness to meet and share their stories with others who understand.

    Karen has spent 36 years as a nurse, case manager and clinical consultant. She helped develop the Case Management Program at Washington Hospital (PA) in 1997. She was on the Case Management Task Force under the VP and Executive Director of Patient Care Services at Washington Hospital in 1999. In 2006, Karen moved to Highmark as a national case manager. After a short time at Highmark, she became Supervisor for National and Western Regional Conflicts Case Management, where she led a team of 60 employees. In 2009, Karen advanced to the position of Highmark Clinical Consultant where she was responsible for analyzing large corporate accounts to establish plan-of-care solutions that improved large employer healthcare. Most recently, Karen has been utilizing her skillset as a hospice case manager. 

    In addition to her clinical and administrative experience, Karen is a survivor, having gone through treatment for head and neck cancer, allowing her to understand from personal experience the needs of individuals diagnosed with a life changing disease. She has a master’s degree in nursing and Business focusing on Healthcare Administration. 

    Most recently, Karen has utilized her case management and nursing skills for hospice care. 

    ADRIANna S. DEITHORN – MS, PhD, CFRE

    VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT and Clinical Psychologist

    Adriane has been a development professional for more than 20 years. Recognized as a leading expert in her field. She has worked with a variety of organizations including from human services, the arts, higher education and large healthcare systems. Her specialties include grant writing, strategic planning, nonprofit board development, special-events, sponsorship procurement, gala event planning, sponsorship development, fundraising counsel, planned giving, development audits, policy development, writing for fundraising/marketing, and cultivation/solicitation planning.

    She’s helped small and large nonprofits alike. She has raised millions of dollars through capital campaigns, board development, events, telethons, annual fund campaigns, direct mail, major gift solicitations, and planned gift solicitations. Nonprofit development can be complicated as well as difficult. Adriane’s primary mission is to make nonprofit development simple and effortless. She helps you clear away the complexity and raise funds much more effectively. To achieve her mission, Adriane is continuously improving herself and her fundraising expertise.

    Adriane also holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology, specializing in trauma and crisis intervention. In addition to her fundraising duties, she also serves as our Lead Counseling Clinician and is responsible for providing counseling to individuals, caregivers or within support groups. Some of the specific mental health issues that patients are seen for are anxiety, depression, stress, grief and loss, bipolar disease, and PTSD. Adriane is also responsible for overseeing the clinical staff, as well as, supervising our graduate level interns from the University of Pittsburgh.

    Adriane also has her certification and training completed in EMDRIA (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing International Association) EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.  It is designed to help people of all ages heal from trauma by resolving unprocessed traumatic memories in the brain through a variety of easy to learn techniques.

    EMDR therapy can also be helpful for children and youth.  EMDR allows children and adults a way to work through their traumatic feelings and experiences through developing healthy coping skills.  It is an alternative to traditional therapy as it also reduces negative beliefs and emotions from distressing situations.

    It is important to find a therapist who is trained in EMDR therapy if you feel like it could be beneficial to you.

    Adriane is a 2-time cancer survivor. She has experienced many changes and losses causing her to distance herself from supportive family, friends and the community. She understands, firsthand, the difficulty that you go through when diagnosed with cancer.

    Staff

    Denise Anton

    Program Director

    Denise has worked in the area of Counseling Psychotherapy since 1996 and has experience in research, teaching, supervision and psychotherapy. Additional training she has completed includes grief and loss, hospice, trauma, PTSD, group work, brain and brain behavior, postpartum depression and marital counseling. Denise has experience working with individuals, couples and families; counseling a variety of issues including, premarital and marital, relationships, divorce, anxiety, depression, postpartum issues, anger management, PTSD, self esteem, grief and loss and a variety of other life transitional issues.

    As a psychotherapist, she enjoys providing authentic, compassionate, challenging and insightful support as she journeys with her clients through a variety of challenges they face. Denise understands that our past has influenced our preset but it need not dictate our future. Our life experiences, positive or negative, are building blocks for who we are today and can be effective tools in creating who we aspire to be tomorrow. She believes that with the right tools, empathetic support and personal determination, we can live our lives to the fullest.

    Jennifer DiSalvo

    Program Associate

    Jennifer is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with concentrations in Eating Disorders, Trauma and Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse. She has experience working with anxiety, depression, grief and loss, addiction, relationship concerns, PTSD and other life experiences. She believes that each person has their own story that has shaped what they are currently experiencing. Through her work, she strives to foster a safe space where clients can tell their story, gain insight into how that has impacted them, and create a new reality that is more fulfilling. She utilizes various therapeutic approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and narrative therapy. Jennifer is also a Master’s Level Nurse. .

    Carrie Donahoe

    Carrie holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh. Carrie is a breast cancer survivor! As a cancer survivor, she understands the turmoil endured when a person is first diagnosed with cancer. She feels that her personal and professional experiences have allowed her to create an environment of support, encouragement, and empathy.

    Carrie’s approach is integrative and direct, tailoring treatment to meet an individual’s needs. She incorporates warmth, genuineness, and humor into her work, aiming to create a space where individuals feel comfortable engaging in critical thinking and introspection. She helps individuals access greater understanding of their illness and supports them from day 1 of an individual’s diagnosis.
    Her main therapeutic interventions include, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Carrie is also a certified EMDR practitioner.

    Board of Directors

    Jennifer Andrews

    Jennifer brings a wealth of experience and compassion to Face2Face Healing. With a 35-year career as a pharmacist in hospital settings and a degree from the University of Pittsburgh Pharmacy School, Jennifer has dedicated her professional life to healthcare and patient support.

    Residing in the Sewickley community, Jennifer has been married to her supportive husband, Chris, for 26 years. Together, they have raised two adult children, Maddy and Will, and share their home with a beloved black Labrador, Max.

    Jennifer’s commitment to helping others extends beyond her professional life. She has been actively involved in various organizations such as Community Bible Study and After School Kids, where she helps others grow their faith through study and discussion. She also participates in groups like Inspired Women, Woodland Swim Club, and St. Luke Parish.

    A three-time cancer survivor, Jennifer’s journey with head and neck cancer has profoundly impacted her life. Diagnosed with oral cancer in 2020 at the onset of the pandemic, she underwent successful surgery without the need for radiation. However, a relapse in 2022 required more invasive surgeries, including additional procedures to manage an infection and reconstruct affected areas. Her treatment included two months of radiation and ongoing physical therapy, which continues today.

    Jennifer’s resilience and positive outlook are evident in her active lifestyle and hobbies. She enjoys daily yoga and walking, biking at North Park with her husband, beekeeping in their backyard, gardening, and cooking. She is also an avid reader and active participant in book clubs.

    Jennifer’s personal and professional experiences continue to inspire and support others in their cancer journeys.

    Kelsie Baldé

    Kelsie Baldé is the owner of Hair Enhancements as she also works closely with clients like you. After many years in the hair industry, she has spent the past decade specializing in hair replacement because it’s her true calling.

    Kelsie has a passion for hair and for living in service to others, and she vows to always make any client she works with feel comfortable, beautiful and encouraged.

    “At Hair Enhancements, we build relationships with our clients and we’re with them through their journey with hair replacement – people are often surprised at how much time and care goes into our work. But I can’t imagine it any other way. I’m blessed to be able to comfort and support people going through such a tough time when losing their hair. Seeing the smile on their face, knowing we were able to give them some control and confidence is priceless!”

    Matt Bayless

    Matt’s facial palsy was the result of a tick bite he got in October of 2013. This happened 2 months after returning to Slippery Rock University to finish his bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Despite the challenges of Lyme Disease, he was able to complete a double major in Psychology and Philosophy. This entire journey taught Matt that regardless of how disfigurement occurs, it gives the person a new perspective on life and all the aspects of it we often take for granted.

    Jennifer Bazzani

    CPA – Treasurer

    Jennifer grew up in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh.  She received a BS and MS degree in Accounting from Robert Morris University.  She is a Senior Manager at CFGI, the nation’s largest non-audit accounting advisory firm, and has over 15 years of professional experience.  She began her career with PricewaterhouseCoopers where she worked on a variety of clients in both the public and private sector, as well as financial services and manufacturing industries.  Prior to joining CFGI, Jennifer worked as a Finance Director at a large healthcare organization.  Her areas of specialization are financial services, service-based entities, education, and non-profit organizations. She is affiliated with American Institute of Certified Accountants and Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  In addition to her professional responsibilities, she enjoys exercising, traveling and food experiences, and spending time with her family.  Jennifer joined Face2Face Healing so that she could have direct impact through her financial expertise upon an organization that focuses on the health and wellness of the individuals and community it serves.

    Becca Carl

    Becca Carl is right at the beginning of her journey as a small business owner, leaving behind a 25-year career in beauty and retail management to take ownership of Vintage Grace Boutique, located in North Strabane. At Vintage Grace, Becca strives to make people feel comfortable and confident in their skin through one on one consultations.

    The boutique often hosts events and raises money for various nonprofits. Vintage Grace also partners with additional area small businesses, uplifting the entire local community through these collaborations.

    In addition to owning a small business, Becca is a proud mother to her son, Christian, with her partner in all things business and life, Carole DeAngelo. The family resides in Canonsburg and gives back extensively to the community through philanthropic efforts and charity events. Becca also served on the board of directors for Dress for Success for the past four years. Becca is a proud Army veteran. In her limited spare time, Becca enjoys gardening, reading and cooking.

    Jennifer DiLucia

    Jenny was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA.  She graduated from Westminster College with a degree in Broadcasting and minor in Theatre Arts.  She is the mom of three beautiful children, Lexi, Jake and Nolan.  Jenny is also a dog mom to two barking beagles, Bruster (6) and Rookie (1).  She resides with her family in Pittsburgh, P/a.  

    She has always had a passion for broadcasting.  When Jennifer was in college, she hosted a radio show and went by the nickname “Lady C.”  Jennifer also started the Entertainment report on her college TV station.  

    Shortly after college, Jenny worked at a number of radio and local television stations in Pittsburgh. 

    Bringing her passion for podcasting to life.

    She put her dreams and aspirations on hold to raise her children and now she’s ready to pursue her passion and help others talk about their stories.  She came up with this idea because people are always approaching her with their struggles and life experiences, and she thought – “to heal is to talk about it.”  You just never know who else is dealing with the same issues.

    I wanted to create an open Forum for men and women to express themselves and share whatever they wanted to help them heal or have a laugh.

    She is excited for this new chapter of her life and she can’t wait for you to all follow along with her! 

    Take Care My Beautiful People!

    She will bring marketing and Brand Awareness.  Plus Jennifer has the ability to connect and relate to a wide range of individuals in the community.  

    Carole DeAneglo

    Director of Advertising and Events for the Observer-Reporter, Herald Standard, The Almanac, the Greene County Messenger, Reimagine Main Street digital agency and Be Local

    Proud wife of Becca Carl, other mom to Christian Rohrer
    Advocate of being nice and drinking coffee
    Peters Township Board of Directors
    Leadership Washington County Board of Directors
    Junior Achievement Board of Directors
    Bradford House Board of Directors
    WBDA Board of Directors
    2018 Athena Award Winner
    Co-owner of Vintage Grace Boutique
    Passionate about women’s rights, motivating people, and doing the right thing
    We have one chance to make a difference. Make it count.

    Jennifer Hisdorf

    They say do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.

    Jennifer lives up to that maxim. She’s the type of person you want on your side: one who will transform challenges into success.  

    Jennifer firmly believes that relationships are the foundation of everything Brentwood Bank does for customers. And once she gets to know you, she’ll have a better understanding of exactly how she can help achieve your goals.

    Get to know Jennifer. Because she’d love to get to know you:

    Upon graduation, Jennifer decided she’d take a job as a part-time teller until she figured out what to do next. Seventeen years later, she can’t imagine being anything other than a banker and a valuable resource for her clients.

    The quote that guides her career sums it up best: “People don’t do business with companies; they do business with people.”

    Jennifer is on a first-name basis with her customers not because of any corporate mandate. She just naturally treats people like family. As a Vice President of Treasury Management at Brentwood Bank, Jennifer’s favorite part of the job is greeting customers with a warm smile and a genuine “hello” the moment they walk in the door.

    Not surprisingly, Jennifer has a long list of accomplishments, including being a Junior Achievement Young Professionals Inspiring Success in Banking and Finance award winner, the Women’s Business Network Woman of the Year and winning awards for Pittsburgh Business Choice Best in Business Banking and Pittsburgh Business Choice Best Networking Group- POSH Women. But she’ll admit the feeling she gets from helping customers is her highest honor.

    When she’s not making new connections, Jennifer volunteers and gives back to her community. And she’s devoted to her 3-year-old son, who already loves to explore the great outdoors. Apparently, making connections just runs in the family.

    Linda Long

    Linda Long is currently the Owner/Designer of Long awaited design LLC, a full service residential Interior Design company. Her real experience comes from 28 years as a Registered Nurse working in multiple disciplines, including Cardiac, Critical Care, Oncology Research, and Case Management. She then decided to totally shake up her world by changing career paths and returning to school at the New York Institute of Art and Design majoring in Interior Design. She is an active member of The Southwest Regional Chamber of Commerce where she was named Woman of the Year in 2022; POSH-Power of the South Hills; People Connectors; Inspired Women; and PEEL-Pittsburgh’s Elevated and Emerging Leaders
    as a founding member.

    In January 2021 she was diagnosed with Stage II Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. After surgery and months of chemotherapy, radiation, physical therapy, and now ongoing adjuvant treatment, she is currently cancer free. During this time, she continued to be involved in many organizations doing philanthropic work when possible. In 2022 she was the co-chair of the annual Pink Pamper Bubble Ball hosting over 400 people to raise money for women in Southwest Pennsylvania with a cancer diagnosis. She has volunteered with many non-profit and charitable organizations to help raise money and awareness of their cause. She has also appeared on several Podcasts and spoken at women’s groups about her cancer journey and encouraging women to practice self-care and get their mammograms for early detection.

    I want to be part of Face2Face Healing because it is an organization I can support fully. Having been a nurse and a cancer survivor, it aligns with my passion and interests. After being diagnosed with cancer I felt I needed a higher sense of purpose, and this organization fulfills that need.  I am hopeful I can truly make a difference in the lives of others by being a part of this organization.

    Colleen Manzini

    Colleen grew up in a small suburban town south of Pittsburgh.  She graduated from Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA, where she majored in accounting. She has over 30 years of experience in corporate accounting and has worked in a variety of industries.

    She enjoys being involved with the community, serving on boards of directors for numerous nonprofit organizations. Serving in these roles has allowed her to build an extensive network of relationships and grow her advocating and connecting skills.  She is passionate about interacting with her diverse group of networking professionals which has allowed her to grow personally and professionally.

    Her entrepreneurial spirit came alive when she was introduced to Beautycounter, a safe, clean, skin care brand. She started working with the company in a direct-sales role because she believed in what the company stands for.  It is powered by people and the collective mission is to get safe products into the hands of everyone.  She decided she had to pursue this amazing journey and left the corporate world about 2 years ago.   She is now a Director with Beautycounter, and it has fulfilled her life in more ways than any corporate job has, and she will continue to promote, educate and share this amazing mission. EDUCATING.  ADVOCATING. CHANGE. Those words that brought her to Beautycounter inspired her to start a New Venture, Coaching with Colleen.  Coaching with Colleen provides mentoring and guidance in the areas of Networking, and Employee Engagement based around the foundation of educating others in business to build connections and advocate for a cohesive work environment.

    Colleen joined Face 2 Face Healing so she could make an impact through her coaching experience upon an organization that focuses on health and well-being of the individuals and community it serves.

    James Protin

    James Protin is an Author, Blogger, Podcaster, Filmmaker, and Entrepreneur. James published his first book “The Person in the Chair” in February 2024. This book is a collection of lessons learned, motivational thoughts, and stories culled from the good and bad experiences of life so you can feel your way through your own life. It’s based on James’ five pillars of leadership, Live, Love, Learn, Pray, Inspire. In this book, you’ll discover how you too can be:

    • Brave enough to truly live.
    • Open enough to truly love.
    • Humble enough to truly learn.
    • Connected enough to truly pray.
    • Vulnerable enough to truly inspire.

    James is also the host of the James Protin Podcast, and owner of The Protin Group. The James Protin Podcast is built upon the foundation of Live. Love. Learn. Pray. Inspire. Our guests are entrepreneurs and leaders in business, energy, infrastructure engineering, and nonprofits from across the region. Each episode is designed to inspire, engage, and create impactful dialogue. That’s the essence of the podcast. It’s about doing better and being better, in life, business, and all things in-between.

    The Protin Group is a full-service marketing agency…with a soul. At the soul of the Protin Group is a conversation, a story…your story. Our company is not merely about branding, marketing, or filmmaking. We are creating change, using the most powerful tool in the world…story. We are driven by Faith. At the Protin Group, we believe faith-based marketing creates the ripple that grows from the splash of your products or services and positively impacts lives. The splash will bring clicks, likes, and followers, but it’s the ripple that brings sustainable revenue. Our content creates the splash, and our strategy guides the ripples.
    The Protin Group team recently returned from Kenya, filming on site for a documentary about Hekima Place, a Pittsburgh based nonprofit which operates a faith-based home and school for orphaned and vulnerable girls in Kenya.

    Advisory Committee

    Maria Allshouse

    Not many people can make a major life transformation at age 43, but then again, not many people are Maria Allshouse. Her remarkable story of overcoming a lifetime struggle with disordered eating and releasing 130 pounds is as inspiring as it is engaging. With warmth and humility, she describes her journey from someone who was barely surviving to a completely revitalized individual thriving as an award-winning fitness athlete, Olympic triathlete, corporate leader, and community champion.

    Maria holds a bachelor’s degree in business and communications from Carlow University and has 23 years of corporate marketing and leadership experience. She has worked primarily for two Fortune 500 companies as Manager of Marketing Operations and Senior Manager of Marketing and Branding Operations. In addition to her corporate career, Maria has more than 10+ years in transformational lifestyle
    coaching. Her reach is broad supporting individuals from blue collar careers to C Suite Executives.

    Maria is a Certified Lifestyle Weight Management Coach, Holistic Nutritionist, and Keynote Speaker. She holds certifications from the ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association) in Fitness Training and Sports Nutrition and NESTA (National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association) in Lifestyle Weight Management. Furthermore, Maria is a
    Master Pro Health Coach for Precision Nutrition, an international organization comprised of the world’s top nutrition experts. Maria is a Certified Master Trainer for the University of Pittsburgh Diabetes Prevention Program and a member of the Women’s Speakers Association.

    Maria has delivered inspiring presentations across the United States educating individuals from all backgrounds. Some of her topics include, Choosing Grace Over Guilt, Stop Pressing the Pause Button, and 6 Steps to Igniting Wellness for Life.

    Maria’s accomplishments in her career and the community have not gone unnoticed. In 2013, Maria was recognized by GNC as one of its most inspiring and transformational employees of the year. She previously served on the Executive Leadership Committee and Passion Committee for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women, Pittsburgh Chapter, and is a former spokesmodel for the organization.

    Her story has been featured in many local and national publications. Maria’s passion and purpose is to empower others to create optimal health and well-being in their lives through her 6-Step Wellness for Life Program and discover the best version of themselves.

    Most recently, Maria was the recipient of the Woman-Owned Business of the Year and Excellence in Health and Fitness by the Southwest Regional Chamber of Commerce and was also awarded Women of the Year by the Women’s Interactive Network (WIN).

    Anastasia Barr-Whiteman

    Anastasia Barr-Whiteman loves to stay busy and is the proud co-owner of the Pretzels Plus with an Amish Touch with her husband and is the Owner and Head Marketing Coach at a Washington county-based business, ABW Marketing Consulting. From working as an executive assistant to a CEO to now being the CEO of her own company at age 32, Anastasia spent her 20’s working in multiple capacities of marketing. From radio, television, corporate and non-profit marketing, she developed and perfected her skills in the field so she could constantly bring new, innovative ideas and fresh strategies to the table for her clients.

    Being an entrepreneur was something she knew she was built for. Anastasia and her husband Andrew jumped headfirst into ownership of a Pretzels shop that was located in a dying mall. Pretzel’s plus is now proudly located in Downtown Washington where they were able to soon acquire another Washington staple, the Amish touch and that’s how Pretzels Plus with an Amish touch was born.

    A 2014 graduate of Waynesburg University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in the field of Communication, Anastasia still follows their mission of serving others. In her free time, she is a volunteer for Dress for Success (former board member) and the American Cancer Society as the Co-Chair of the Southwestern Pa elite program. Anastasia is also a proud member of the 2020 graduating class of Leadership Washington County

    Anastasia and her incredible husband Andrew are self-proclaimed foodies, lovers of the outdoors, hockey & traveling and currently reside in Washington with their rescue animals, Sis (dog) and Jack (cat)!

    Nicole Lerda

    Known for her compassionate and emotionally intelligent leadership style, Nicole Lerda spent over 20 years in the highly male-dominated financial services industry before she purchased and launched MaxxCole Salon & Skin Spa. This experience, combined with her professional training and passion for mentoring, made Nicole perfectly poised to assume and enhance the salon’s existing operations and services.

    Nicole began her professional career in Recruiting and Marketing with the MetLife Corporation and leveraged her tenacity and entrepreneurial spirit to rapidly ascend to executive leadership roles within two Fortune 50 organizations. First becoming the Director of Marketing, Nicole also became a fully licensed financial planner and was later elevated to the position of Director of New Business Development. Ultimately, she was promoted to Managing Sales Director where she oversaw a team of 40 financial advisors, scouted new talent for the firm and oversaw all community initiatives.

    Over the course of her career in the financial world, Ms. Lerda has led sales and administrative teams to great financial success, created and executed award-winning, national marketing campaigns, and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Carlow University as the Director of Major Gifts. Nicole is also a sought-out speaker who’s been an invited guest and featured speaker at the country’s most prestigious financial conferences. She also frequently addresses groups in her community to share her thoughts and best practices on female empowerment.

    As she was rising through an industry where only 15% of its employees were women and only 4% were in leadership roles, Nicole made it her personal mission to help as many women as possible – and not just her female coworkers in the industry. Nicole not only mentored and hired women into leadership roles within the financial services industry, but she also leveraged her financial savvy to deliver women-focused financial planning presentations all over the United States. For these efforts, Nicole was named the Community Champion of the Year in 2021 for volunteerism focused on women and children.

    At the community level, Nicole volunteered at the local women’s shelter and made a habit of frequenting women-owned businesses – often offering free financial and operational advice to those business owners. These local efforts directly led to her becoming the owner of MaxxCole Salon & Skin Spa, as she’d referred her friends to the salon, helped the former owner with financial planning, and held client events in the salon’s space to drive traffic to the business. When Nicole learned in 2020 that the owner didn’t expect the salon to survive due to the pandemic, she decided to rescue the business and the careers of its 10 employees.

    With her extensive background in strategic marketing and business operations, it’s no surprise that the salon not only survived but is thriving and growing. She has single-handedly tripled revenue and transformed customer service to an impeccable client experience. As the owner and operator of MaxxCole, LLC, Nicole is the architect behind MaxxCole’s commitment to excellence for clients and team members alike. In 2021 MaxxCole was named the “Women-Owned Small Business of the Year,” Ms. Lerda was recognized as a Pittsburgh Professional Woman of Influence, and Allegheny West Magazine dubbed her an “Influential Leader”. In 2023, the Better Business Bureau awarded MaxxCole Salon & Skin Spa with an A+ accreditation and in October of 2023, Nicole won the Brave Woman Project’s Pillar Award for Encouragement.

    When Nicole is not at MaxxCole, she can be found participating as a member of several business, community and non-profit groups, including the Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, Pittsburgh Professional Women, Brave Women Project and Face2Face Healing. In 2023, she was selected to be an Advisor to the Women in Business Club at Robert Morris University. Financially, she supports local non-profit organizations that focus on helping women on challenging journeys in the areas of domestic violence, food insecurity, female cancers and career support and placement.

    Nicole is also the author of “Her Mission: G R A N T E D” – a campaign that focuses on helping women to rid themselves of the dreaded approval and permission mentality. Her 100% organic self-care product line is available at the MaxxCole Boutique and her coordinating presentation, “The Permission Principles: Six Simple Strategies to Regain Your Confidence, Freedom & Time” is now available for booking.

    Keri Harmicar

    Keri has been in some sort of community affairs/engagement capacity all of her life. Beginning as a youngster, with her grandmother, Jane, marching on Washington to pass the ERA, she has spent much of her time supporting causes that she believes in. From animal welfare to women’s equality, to twilight wishes for the elderly, hospice, and LGBTQ rights; she is proud to be an ally and a voice for those who need it.

    Keri is the Senior Communications Director for UPMC Insurance Services Division. She is responsible for all internal and employee communications and is co-chair of the DEI Council. She has created an award-winning podcast, called Inspire, which is focused on the employee experience and has also developed a video series highlighting the work of UPMC employees in the community.  Keri is the board Vice President of Allies for Health + Wellbeing, as well as board emeritus of Northside Common Ministries. She is on the strategy and development committees of Persad, The Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, and Attack Theater. She is also a member of United Way Women Unite. 

     Keri holds family dear and “friends like family” even more dear. She hashtags “eattherestoftheapple” as one of her primary philosophies – that even when there are bruises, there is still plenty that should not be discarded, overlooked or taken for granted. (Ask her about how this started, it’s a great story.) She loves to read, cook, travel, and entertain. She’s a huge fan of music, too.

    Keri resides in Bellevue with her husband, David, and their mini golden doodle rescues, Sydney Ellen Wade and Holly Golightly.

    Board Emeritus

    Eugene N. Myers

    MD, FACS, FRCS Edin (Hon) – Emeritus

    Eugene N. Myers, MD, FACS, FRCS Edin (Hon) is Distinguished Professor Emeritus Department of Otolaryngology of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.  He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the Temple University School of Medicine.  He did his residency at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and was a Teaching Fellow at Harvard Medical School.  Following military service as an Army Otolaryngologist in Frankfurt, Germany, he did a Fellowship in Head and Neck Surgery in New York with Dr. John Conley.

    Dr. Myers became Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 1972, a position he held for 33 years.  He is an internationally known leader in head and neck  cancer surgery.    He continues to be very active in patient care and teaching.  He has published hundreds of articles, book chapters, and two of his books Cancer of the Head and Neck and Operative Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery are considered classics in the field.   He is a past President of the American Board of Otolaryngology, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the American Head and Neck Society, and the American Laryngological Society.

    Dr. Myers has devoted a large part of his career to international activities.  He was President of the Pan American Association of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery in 1991, Honorary President of the Balkan Society of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery in 1991, and now again since 2011, and Honorary President of the Israeli Section on Head and Neck Oncology from 1991 – 1998.  He was Chairman of the ad hoc committee on Head and Neck Cancer of the International Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (IFOS) from 2003 – 2009.  Dr. Myers is an Honorary Member of 20 overseas national societies of otolaryngology, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the Royal Society of Medicine in London.  He is or has been a member of the Editorial Board of 14 international Journals.  At the XIX ENT World Congress IFOS 2009 in San Paolo, Brazil, Dr. Myers was awarded a Gold Medal for his work in International Otolaryngology and also has been awarded a Gold Medal from Comenius University in Bratislava and one from Maribor University.  He is now the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Regional Advisor to the Balkan Society of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.

    Alec E. Vaezi, MD, PHD

    Head and Neck Surgery, Skull Base Surgery

    My goal is to provide “an ideal experience for each patient, every time.”

    I have a PhD in Cancer Biology from the University of Chicago and have trained with outstanding mentors in head and neck and skull base surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. With over 10 years in practice, I bring world class head and neck cancer treatment, including sialendoscopy and robotic surgery to Long Island.

    In working with the Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Winthrop our patients have access to multidisciplinary, state of the art care and clinical trials, right where they live. Our team includes dedicated radiation oncology, medical oncology, neurosurgery, hyperbaric treatment, dentistry, a nurse navigator, nutrition and speech pathology. We provide exceptional head and neck cancer care delivered to patients close to their home, community and social support network. Our patient centered approach improves not only patient satisfaction, but also clinical success. A high priority is communication back to the referring provider.

    Contact Us

         Face2Face Healing

         3000 Village Run Rd, Suite #103-206

         Wexford, PA 15090

     

                  CNX HQ (Generous donation by CNX)

                  1000 Horizon Vue Drive, Suite 1B17

                  Canonsburg, PA  15317

     

     

       Call Us: 724-935-3580

     

        info@face2facehealing.org

     

         Face2Face Healing

         3000 Village Run Rd, Suite #103-206

         Wexford, PA 15090

    Call Us: 724-935-3580

     

        info@face2facehealing.org