Meet the Friendship Circle Team

Rabbi Mordy Rudolph

Executive Director

Rabbi Mordy graduated high school at Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh, and studied in London, England, and Tzfat, Israel, before receiving his Rabbinic ordination from the Rabbinical College of America at Morristown. He initiated The Friendship Circle together with his wife Rivkee, in September 2006.

Email: [email protected]

Rivkee Rudolph

Director

Kaitlin Hens-Greco

Clinical Director of The Beacon

Kaitlin is delighted to come full circle and return to The Friendship Circle community! Her journey with FC began in 2011 at the Northumberland office. Since 2013, she has worked as a licensed clinical social worker in various schools within Pittsburgh Public Schools. Currently, Kaitlin serves as the Director of the Beacon and maintains a private practice at Alliance Therapy Center, where she works with individuals and couples. Outside of work, you can find Kaitlin enjoying life in Highland Park with her husband, Josh and their two little ones, Alessi and Pavel.

Email: [email protected]

Jenna Johns

Bunny Bakes Bakery Manager

Jenna joined the Bunny Bakes team in August of 2024. She grew up in the North Hills and now resides in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. After a long history working in different restaurants, Jenna was excited to join the Bunny Bakes team because she wanted to work somewhere she could help make a more welcoming community and ensure all customers feel special. She is excited that everyday she gets the opportunity to come into Bunny and work to live an authentic life and work at an inclusive coffee shop and bakery.

Email: [email protected]

Hallie Weinstein

Facilities Manager

Hallie is happy to be back at Friendship Circle. She was involved in the early days when Friendship Circle was first beginning here in Pittsburgh while she was also attending The University of Pittsburgh. Hallie went on to get her degree in finance and then moved to Virginia after she and her husband, Josh, got married.  During their time in Richmond, Hallie and her family were all involved in the Friendship Circle of Virginia. Hallie is thrilled to have brought her family back to Pittsburgh to live near family and is excited for the opportunity to be back at this incredible organization helping with the very important work of building an inclusive community.

Email: [email protected]

Masha Zaldonis

Program Director

Masha has been involved with the Friendship Circle since 2007. Throughout her years at FC, she has fond memories of participating in Friends at Home, Friends on the Town, the Teen Leadership Board, and most recently serving on FC’s Alumni Council. Masha graduated from the University of Pittsburgh studying Communication Science & Disorders and later completed a traineeship through the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopment Disabilities and Related Disorders (LEND) program at Pitt. Masha is passionate about FC’s mission of creating a more inclusive community through engaging programs that connect people of all abilities and build lasting friendships.

Email: [email protected]

Holly Benson

Grant Development and Communications Associate

Holly joined The Friendship Circle in September 2023, having volunteered at past FC events such as Walk4Friendship and Friends All Around. She grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania and received her Bachelor of Arts in English from West Chester University in 2020. She has completed two service years (with AmeriCorps VISTA and PULSE), the latter of which brought her to Pittsburgh. She is grateful to join a team of such talented, passionate individuals and can’t wait to connect with FC members and the community!

Email: [email protected]

Emily Vogt

Training and Employment Program Manager

Emily joined the Friendship Circle team in 2017 as a PULSE fellow, spending a year serving the City of Pittsburgh. Since then, Emily has continued to use her experience in education and her passion for helping all to succeed by holding various professionals roles within the organization. In December of 2024, Emily’s role came full circle as she became the manager of the Friendship Fellowship program and Bakery Training program; which help disabled adults to learn employment skills and gain paid employment within the community. Emily graduated from Goshen College in August 2017 with a degree in P-12 Education.

Email: [email protected]

Christine Grady

Director of Operations

Christine joined the Friendship Circle team in April of 2024 as Director of Operations for The Friendship Circle, Bunny Bakes and The Beacon. Christine brings over 20 years experience in the private industry and non-profit organizations. She has proven success in brokering complex partnerships, and cultivating funding partners for a range of businesses and non-profit programs. Christine spent most of her early career in London, England and settled in Pittsburgh around 10 years ago.

Email: [email protected]

Lucy Sommer

Program and Engagement Associate

Lucy joined the Friendship Circle team in March of 2023. She grew up in Pittsburgh and graduated from Chartiers Valley High School in 2017. She recently moved back to Pittsburgh from Tucson, Arizona. Lucy was a member at The Friendship Circle throughout her high school years, and she was involved with the Leadership Board for two consecutive years. She is passionate about inclusion, making our teens feel heard and creating a strong group of young leaders! Lucy is excited to be back as a staff member and continue to make close and meaningful friendships with everyone associated with the Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh.

Email: [email protected]

Julia Averbach

Director of Member Engagement

I am so excited to officially be back at The Friendship Circle as the Director of Member Engagement! For those of you who don’t know me, The Friendship Circle has been a part of my life for many, many years. I grew up in Squirrel Hill and attended Friendship Circle programs throughout high school. I went to Ohio University where I met my now husband, Gabe! After graduating, I returned to Pittsburgh and worked at The Friendship Circle as the Member Relationships Manager for three and a half years before moving to Chicago. I have since moved back to Pittsburgh and now live in the Strip District with Gabe and our very fluffy Bernedoodle, Benji! I am so excited to be back at The Friendship Circle and can’t wait to continue making new memories and growing friendships with all of you!

Email: [email protected]

Ally Weekley

Wellness Coordinator

Ally joined the Friendship Circle in November of 2021. Ally is originally from Florida, but moved to Pittsburgh where she received her Bachelors in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Ally is a NASM certified personal trainer and wellness enthusiast. Ally is passionate about ending stigma surrounding mental health, advocating for mental health treatment as a human right, and providing all individuals, of all abilities, with meaningful connection and purpose. Ally enjoys the community and connection of the Friendship Circle, and hopes to make a difference in the lives of each member–and the greater community–in her role as wellness coordinator.

Email: [email protected]

Rachael Lynch

The Beacon, Member & Engagement Manager

Rachael graduated from Temple University with her Bachelors degree in Social Work and went on to receive her Masters of Social Work from the University in Pittsburgh. She has had the opportunity to work in individual and family therapy, mental health and womens’ empowerment groups, and holistic care for young men. Through the Behavior Health Scholars Program, she started working at The Beacon in August 2023. Rachael loves working with the teen members and is passionate about empowering them to advocate for themselves and one another.

Email: [email protected]

Tess Roth

Senior Program Associate

As a proud Friendship Circle alum, Tess brings her passion for inclusivity and community to the Friendship Circle team after working as a special education teacher. A Pittsburgh native, she graduated from Penn State with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies, followed by a Master’s in Special Education. During her high school years, Tess was an active member of Friendship Circle, cherishing the meaningful connections and unforgettable experiences she made. Now, as a staff member, she is excited to give back to the community that shaped her and continue fostering deep and lasting friendships with everyone at the Friendship Circle of Pittsburgh.

Email: [email protected]

Maggie Ahrendt

Office Manager

Maggie recently moved to Squirrel Hill from South Dakota with her family, bringing a strong background in human resources, office management, and employee development. Originally from Kansas City, MO, she is nearing the completion of her degree in Human Resource Management and is passionate about fostering organizational efficiency and creating supportive workplace cultures. As the office manager at FC, Maggie is dedicated to advancing its mission of fostering inclusivity and connection, striving to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the community.

Email: [email protected]

Wise Allen

Program Associate

Wise joined the Friendship Circle in September 2024 as a Program Associate for the Under 18 programs as an energetic and friendly facilitator. Wise has collaborated and volunteered with Friendship Circle over the past few years and is excited to be officially on-board the Friend-ship! Wise is an outgoing and outdoorsy guy with a heart of gold and a passion for history. Graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a history degree, Wise is excited to learn new skills and help improve life for the incredible Pittsburgh community. When not working, you can find Wise out and about in Pittsburgh city parks and hiking trails.

Email: [email protected]

Our Board of Directors