Western Pennsylvania Disability History and Action Consortium

Honoring the historic struggle of Western Pennsylvanians with disabilities to attain human and civil rights.

Staff

Cindy Leonard head shot, a white woman with long dark hair and eyeglasses wearing a black turtleneck

Cindy Leonard, Executive Director

Cindy Leonard has been the Executive Director for the Consortium since January 2023 and prior to that served as the digital communications manager since 2015. Cindy has devoted over 20 years working in and with nonprofit organizations, and has served on numerous boards and committees, in various volunteer capacities, and as a consultant, a trainer, an executive director, a program manager, and an IT director. Prior to this, Cindy worked for a variety of small businesses and large corporations for 10 years, mostly in management capacities. Cindy holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, a Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Education in Instructional Design, all from Seton Hill University.

Tina Calabro head shot, a white woman with short salt-and-pepper hair, wearing red eye glasses and a red scarf over a black sweater

Tina Calabro, Outreach & Preservation Manager

Tina Calabro is a writer and speaker specializing in disability issues, and the parent of an adult son, Mark Steidl, who has cerebral palsy. Her work as a communicator and community builder is focused on expanding public understanding of disability and highlighting the work of people and organizations that create opportunity and positive change. Her feature articles and first-person pieces appear in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Philadelphia Inquirer and other publications. Tina’s work is inspired by the remarkable people in the disability community who have shared their stories, perspectives and journeys with her. She counts her son Mark among her most influential teachers.

Heather Glasby head shot, a white woman with long brown hair worn in a braid, weather a blue sweater over a white shirt

Heather Glasby, Mellon Foundation Preservation Scholar

Heather Glasby is an experienced information professional with a decade of expertise in archives and libraries. She has provided research assistance to global patrons at the National Archives and provided leadership and training for large scale digitization projects including evaluating software, providing metadata quality control for professionally accepted standards, and improving workflows. She has recently co-authored an article on library outreach to marginalized communities published in “Pennsylvania Libraries: Research & Practice” (PALRAP). Her work has been recognized with commendations for excellent results in customer service, research, and communication skills. She is pleased to be returning to a supporting role with the Consortium’s disability history scholarship efforts.

Taylory Akers, a white woman with long reddish brown hair and eyeglasses, wearing a black turtleneck with a white striped blazer over it.

Taylor Akers, Preservation Intern

Taylor Akers is a library and information professional that has been working within a variety of libraries since 2019. With a focus in community outreach and personal interest in community archives, she is currently involved with the Consortium in Outreach & Preservation Support. Taylor received her Bachelor of Science in Creative Writing from Slippery Rock University and a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh.