Our Awesome Team
Contact Any Member of Our Team by Calling (814)-701-2787
Amber Chaudhry, M.P.H, J.D.
Professional Grant Writer
Amber received her bachelor’s degree from Allegheny College in 2014. The following year, Amber started work on her MPH at University of Pittsburgh School of Graduate Health. During her MPH, Amber worked as an intern for the Allegheny County Health Department and as a researcher for the U.N Gender Equity Committee. During her time in law school, Amber worked as a Derrick Bell Research Scholar and as an extern in the school’s pro-bono Health Law Clinic. Additionally, she served as a summer associate at Highmark and The Department of Veterans Affairs largely focusing on breach of contract, contract development and negotiation work. Since graduating, Amber has worked as a Grant Writer for nonprofit and for-profit entities. She has experience in both state-level and private grant writing, working with the state and several foundations to fund projects such as; the development of fresh-food retailers in food deserts, redevelopment of community playgrounds, infrastructure rehabilitation for community business development centers and refugee resettlement programs. Amber has a particular interest in procuring funds for organizations who support the upward mobility and health of marginalized populations.
In her free time, Amber serves as a Pennsylvania Board Member for Emgage, a nonprofit which aims to increase Muslim American engagement in the electoral process--she is a seasoned host of voter registration drives! On any given day, you can find her door-knocking for progressive races or making the walk from her home to Square Cafe for lemon ricotta pancakes with her husband, Wasi Mohamed. Otherwise, she is probably watching her favorite shows on Bravo! Reach out to her and say hello, via email, [email protected].
Annika Curren, M.Ed.
Professional Grant Writer
Annika received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary education from the University of Minnesota at Duluth and her master’s degree in Curriculum and Supervision from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She has a diverse background in the educational field, serving as a classroom teacher, a teacher coach and trainer, central office administration, and working at the university level. Annika’s grant writing experience comes from working with schools to write various State and Federal grants, including the McKiney Vento and Title I applications, and providing post-award technical assistance and compliance oversight. Annika also worked with two State Departments of Education to review and award Federal grants and provided compliance oversight.
In her free time Annika, along with her husband Shawn, enjoys attending the many sports her two children play in the Pittsburgh South Hills area. Additionally, she is a board member for the Mt. Lebanon Foundation for Education, which fundraises and awards grants to innovative teachers in the district. She is also a member of St. Lucy’s Auxiliary to the Blind. Annika’s specialty is writing to support educational projects, as an example, she enjoys helping Carlow University develop compelling narratives. [email protected]
Erin Howsare
Professional Grant Writer
Erin has been with Aspire Grant & Development, LLC as a grant writing consultant since 2019. Erin is a Somerset, Pennsylvania native where she continues to reside with her husband and son. She graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology, minor in Political Science, and a concentration in Pre-Law.
For over 20 years, she has worked in the human service field where she has developed a passion for the non-profit sector.
Since joining our team, Erin has secured millions of dollars for our clients. Her awards have included both national and local foundation and corporation grants as well as federal, state, and local grants. Consistent with Aspire’s standards of practice, Erin strives to serve clients with high scoring, detail oriented, customer focused writing! To talk to Erin about
your next project, you can email her at [email protected].
Cassandra Kokoski
Professional Grant Writer
Ms. Cassandra Kokoski has recently joined the Aspire Grant & Development, LLC team. Cassandra has over 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector, starting as an AmeriCorps member in Washington, DC. She has worked for local, national, and international non-profits and is passionate about the impact that non-profits and dedicated citizens can make in the community. Cassandra utilizes her background in direct service, program advancement, community engagement, and development to assist organizations. Cassandra most recently served as Vice President of Development at Lifesteps, a regional human-services agency.
Cassandra is original from Indianapolis, Indiana, and attended Indiana University, Bloomington studying Journalism, focusing on public relations. Cassandra uses her writing skills to assist clients in successful grant submissions and has experience with private and community foundations and local, state, and federal grants. She resides in the Deutschtown neighborhood of Pittsburgh with her husband.
Brooke Latuch Kroon, M.Ed.
Professional Grant Writer
Brooke joined the Aspire team in May 2019 as a consulting grant writer. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from Saint Francis University in 2011. The following year, Brooke received her master’s in education as a Reading Specialist from California University of Pennsylvania. For the last twelve years she has been an educator in both the Somerset Area School District and the Rockwood Area School District, where she currently teaches. Brooke has a passion for education, and youth advocacy, which is reflected in her writing style. In her spare time, Brooke enjoys spending time with her husband and son camping and spending time outdoors.
Since joining our team, she's worked with Mom's House, Inc., Pittsburgh Technical College, Mary S. Biesecker Library, Family Guidance, Children’s Aid Home Programs, and Twisted Tines. Her recent projects include awards for $10,000 from Lee Initiatives and $12,500 from the Jack Buncher Foundation to fund the Residential Program at Children’s Aid Home.
Additionally, Brooke completed an application for the Children’s Aid Home in which Edith L. Trees awarded them $175,000 for their Partial Hospitalization Program. To talk to Brooke about your next project, you can email her at [email protected].
Shannon Malone
Professional Grant Writer
Jaclyn A. McCusker
Professional Grant Writer
Jaclyn earned a B.A. in Political Science, with a minor in Sociology, from the University of Pittsburgh. Via the study abroad program at Pit, she also obtained a concentration in Latin American Culture & Film Studies, at the University of Havana, Cuba. Jaclyn's post-graduate fields of work include management and director positions for Fortune 500 companies and privately owned businesses. Jaclyn is extremely community-focused, with significant years of experience working as the director of a nonprofit arts organization.
In her spare time, Jaclyn enjoys spending time with her husband, and two sons. She is a lover of art, music, culture, history, and socio-economics. In turn, she has a significant volume of funded grant work in these areas. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Somerset, is actively involved in various community and initiative projects, and has played the drums since she was in fourth grade. Her recent projects include work includes the Sweetwater Center for the Arts receiving a $52,000 investment from the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD), and $23,281 from the COVID-19 ARPA PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program. Additionally, Jaci was honored to author an application for The Latin American Studies Association to receive a $72,400 grant from the Eden Hall Foundation for facade improvements at the Latin American Cultural Center. [email protected]
Lauren Palmar Gerami, M.S.
Professional Grant Writer, Director of Strategy
Lauren Palmar Gerami joined the Aspire Team in October of 2020 as a Grant Specialist and has since risen to become Aspire’s Director of Strategy. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Ohio State University (2017) and a Master's in Organizational Management from the University of Colorado (2019). Lauren's specialization extends to Foundation, State, and Appalachian Regional Commission applications, where her strategic insights have consistently yielded significant results. Her approach is deeply collaborative, emphasizing cross-collaboration amongst clients and prioritizing partnerships across diverse locations and industries. Since her time with Aspire, she has successfully secured over $6 million in funding.
Beyond her professional achievements, Lauren is passionate about making her community a brighter place. She enjoys spending her personal time with her family hosting dinner parties and her beloved rescue pup, Ziggy Stardust. Her commitment to both her work and her community exemplifies the core values that drive her strategic initiatives at Aspire.
Reach out to Lauren at [email protected].
Carol Pyle
Professional Grant Writer
Mrs. Carol Pyle has over 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector, with a portfolio of accomplishments at the Penn State University Agricultural Extension. Carol recently retired from the role of Farmers' Market Coordinator in her rural town of Somerset. This has given her a strong background and passion for working with the community-based nonprofit sector.
Carol is originally from Fayette County, Pennsylvania, but has been a resident of Somerset County for over 40 years. During this time, Carol and her husband David have raised four strong, confident, and successful young women. They have also been blessed with four grandchildren.
Her experience-based education has given her extensive knowledge of youth education, the agricultural community, and managing and marketing of various non-profit organizations. Carol’s passion has always been in assisting small businesses and new entrepreneurs achieve success through various grant opportunities. She feels strongly that when one individual succeeds, the entire community can benefit! Recently, she was very busy working with many volunteer and career fire departments, to access Federal funding under the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program! Contact Carol, if you have a project need or idea that could benefit the community through your success! [email protected]
Sarah E. Russell
Director of Billing
Sarah joined our staff in November 2018. She has been a huge asset to our team. She helps to keep our office running smoothly on a daily basis.
Sarah moved to Somerset County in the fall of 2018. However, she is not a stranger to the area. She visited the area frequently from 2004 through 2011. She even did an internship with the Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center. As well as working as a typist for Sargent’s Court Reporting in Johnstown. She is originally from the Gettysburg area.
She holds an associates degree in Graphic Design and Printing Technologies from Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology inLancaster, PA. She also has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Central Pennsylvania College in Harrisburg, PA.
Since graduating from college she has worked as a Review Technical Associate for SRA International, Inc. in Frederick, MD, an IT company. SRA is a subcontractor who does grant work for the government and educational systems. As well as a Travel and Entertainment Administrator with Voith Holding Inc. in York, PA a German engineering company.
Her knowledge of Microsoft Office, Graphic Design, grant compliance, and office dynamics has been helpful. In her spare, time Sarah enjoys the outdoors, spending time with her rescue dog Bandit, and traveling to new areas with her husband Austin. She also volunteers with the Shade Creek Watershed Association and Graef’s Lutheran Church in Cairnbrook, PA. Sarah can be contracted by phone at 814-701-2787 or emailed at [email protected]
Brooke L. Sheeler, M.S.
Director of Grant Writing & Development
Brooke joined the Aspire team in 2015 as an intern while pursuing her undergraduate degree at Slippery Rock University. After graduating with a B.S. in Communications – Public Relations, Brooke came back to Aspire full-time and received her M.S. in Integrated Marketing & Communications from West Virginia University in 2018. She is now in the role of Director of Grant Writing and Development, working to oversee a writing team and a growing list of large-scale development projects. Some of her main accounts include the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, Fayette County, Armstrong County, the City of Clairton, Boswell Borough, Vance River Terminal in Morgantown, WV, and more. To date, her application awards have totaled over $20 million in state, federal, and private funding.
In her spare time, Brooke enjoys hanging out with her rescue animals, spending time visiting her parents in Savannah, GA, and traveling to new places. She can be reached at [email protected].
Haley Johnson
Coordinator, Grants and Client Onboarding
Haley graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in forensic accounting from Waynesburg University and is pleased to serve as Aspire’s initial contact with potential clients! In her academic career, she completed the four-year BSBA program in just three years and played soccer at the NCAA Division 3 level while at the University. Ms. Johnson was also part of Sigma Beta Delta business honor society and had the highest senior grade point average in her major; this same detail is of value to Aspire’s clients in the applications and proposals that she is pleased to author.
Haley joined Aspire because I wanted to leverage her joy for writing and research to make an impact on causes and help others. In addition, grant writing combines her passion for budgets and finance with the opportunity to support meaningful projects. The blend of strategic financial planning and the pursuit of funding for valuable causes makes grant writing a fulfilling and rewarding endeavor. Contact Haley for a project consultation today – [email protected]!
Don't Be Shy. Get In Touch.
If you are interested in working together, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can! You can reach any member of our team by calling (814)-701-2787.