40 Under 40
By Jonathan Wander
Photography by Laura Petrilla
They come from all walks of life, with a diversity of backgrounds, professions and community-service passions that speak to the richness that is young, professional Pittsburgh. This is our 11th annual 40 Under 40, a celebration of 40 inspirational, successful, generous men and women from our region, all under age 40, who represent the best in Pittsburgh's present and future. »
Sylvia McCoy » 37 » Founder, 'Burgh Bits and Bites Food Tour » 'Burgh Bits and Bites is a culinary tour business that provides a "food-tasting adventure and historic walking tour of Pittsburgh's neighborhoods," says founder Sylvia McCoy. "After living overseas in my father's native country, Switzerland, for eight years and returning to Pittsburgh, I looked at our city with new eyes. I became passionate about two things: sharing the culinary and historic treasures of Pittsburgh with other people, and teaching people to appreciate the city they live in. It's good to be a tourist in your own city!" McCoy says she is also passionate about community service, particularly in making meals and providing them to the needy. "I believe that serving a meal is both a humbling and fulfilling act. We are all connected.... Food is the bond that we all share."
Rachel Filippini » 33 » Executive director, Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) » Rachel Filippini is the executive director of the Group Against Smog and Pollution. Founded in 1969, the nonprofit GASP has been a diligent watchdog, educator, litigator and policy-maker on many environmental issues, with a focus on air quality in the Pittsburgh region. "Through education and advocacy, every day I work to improve the air Pittsburghers breathe and to engage local citizens in decision making that will affect Southwestern Pennsylvania's environment," she says.
Jason W. Ross » 35 » Executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer, Allegheny Valley Bank » As executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer of Allegheny Valley Bank, Jason Ross oversees all financial aspects of the bank, as well as the IT department, human resources, and the bank's investment and insurance-sales subsidiary, AVB Advisors. "In addition to being a strong community bank," Ross says, "our employees are also very dedicated to helping others. Through the bank's Helping Hands program, we provide hours of volunteer work to organizations such as Family Guidance, American Cancer Society, Storehouse for Teachers and others. " Ross is a member of the American Cancer Society board of directors, where he just completed a two-year term as chairman. He also is a member of the Alle-Kiski Medical Center board of directors and is treasurer of the Allegheny Shade Tree Association. He's a graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh XXI.
Heather Starr Fiedler » 37 » Assistant professor of digital media, Point Park University; founder/general manager, PittsburghMom.com » At PittsburghMom.com, Heather Starr Fiedler handles all the online content including blogging, writing features and reviews, and managing the message board and directories. "It's my pleasure and passion to introduce local families to the vast array of family-friendly activities that Pittsburgh and the surrounding communities have to offer," Fiedler says. "I launched the site to help moms connect with each other, to make friends and to learn about the city. I love nothing more than hearing a local mom say she tried out a new play place based on my suggestion and to hear a business say they had a new client come in because they'd heard about it on PittsburghMom." As Fiedler goes on to say, "I also get a lot of e-mail from people outside of Pittsburgh who are looking to visit or move here about how thankful they are for the site and its vast array of information and opportunities to connect with other local parents."
Dana Davis » 39 » Founder and president, The Open Door » Started by Dana Davis and a group of volunteers, The Open Door provides a supportive housing program that improves the health of the forgotten population of high-risk, chronically homeless people living with HIV. "All of the individuals we serve are achieving optimal health care outcomes, despite the problems in their lives. This is thanks to our staff that are peers to the program, meaning they are also living with HIV and have had similar problems in their past as the residents do," Davis says. "Not only is The Open Door helping these individuals and the homeless community in general, but it is also showing the community what a small group of volunteers can accomplish. You don't have to win a big government grant or spend years planning a project and asking for funding - you can just start doing it!"
Justin Gunther » 31 » Curator of buildings and collections, Fallingwater/Western Pennsylvania Conservancy » Justin Gunther oversees the care and preservation of Fallingwater's buildings, collections and landscape and develops and manages the museum's exhibition program. "Working to preserve this landmark is intensely rewarding and important, for no place better illustrates [Frank Lloyd] Wright's philosophy of organic architecture, which promotes harmony between people and nature through design," Gunther says. "As Pittsburgh works toward a sustainable future, Fallingwater will serve as inspiration for the successful integration of the built environment into the natural world." Gunther also volunteers to "get young people excited about history" as board chair of the Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh and works as an adjunct-faculty member in historic preservation for Savannah College of Art and Design's online master's program. "Responsible stewardship of our past requires that the inheritors of our history understand it and value it."