Amanda is driven by design’s power to transform the experience and empower communities in urban centers, the workplace, and academia. A leader in our Pittsburgh office, Amanda is also a firmwide Market Design Leader, overseeing design strategy for our Community Development Market, which includes affordable and multi-family housing, community libraries, and not-for-profit organizations. Her passion for libraries has led to award-winning renovations for the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Knoxville, and a reimagining of the Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library, Deer Park Next Generation Library. Her commitment to equitable development has guided her community-centered approach to Fifth & Dinwiddie, a mixed-use, Passive House project in Pittsburgh's Uptown neighborhood. A great communicator who facilitates productive discussions among multiple project stakeholders, Amanda's desire to connect everyone to good design has led her to become a leader in the American Institute of Architects Blueprint for Better Communities (B4B) initiative.

As chief executive officer of Mon Valley Initiative since July 2001, Laura R. Zinski has helped lead its transformation from a coalition of neighborhood development groups to a regional community development corporation operating in Allegheny, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. During her time as CEO, the non-profit has grown from $2.7 million in net assets to $13 million in 2022. Today, MVI oversees a real estate portfolio that includes both commercial and residential properties, as well as a housing counseling program and a workforce development program. At MVI, Zinski works closely with local community groups and more than a dozen municipalities to ensure that the organization continues to provide high-quality, needed services in economically depressed communities along the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers. A native of Canton, Ohio, Zinski is a graduate of Wheaton College in Illinois and earned her master of science in public policy and management from the Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon University. While at CMU, Zinski interned with Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority where she gained first-hand experience with --- and an appreciation for --- community revitalization efforts in the Pittsburgh region. Upon completing her master’s degree in 1994, Zinski joined MVI as a housing development specialist, leading the organization’s program to rehabilitate older homes. In 1998, she became manager of the Division of Housing & Human Services at the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development, where she oversaw the local investment of federal community development and housing funding. In late 2000, she took her experience into the private sector, joining The Mosites Company as a project manager on several commercial development projects, before re-joining MVI. A resident of Braddock since 1996, Zinski also volunteers on the steering committee of the Mon Valley Providers’ Council, the RIDC LTC 48, and the Advisory Council of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services.

Pittsburgh Business Times Power 100 awardee-most influential business leaders. Herky Pollock is recognized both nationally & locally as one of the preeminent brokers in the country. He is among the top retail producers nationwide and the top producer locally. Herky is an Executive Vice President and Northeast Director (former National Director) of Retailer Services Group- CBRE. With his extensive market knowledge & 36-plus years of real estate experience, Herky provides corporate real estate services to major retailers & developers throughout the country. Herky’s services include strategic planning, site selection, development consulting, lease negotiation, construction & financial analysis. Herky has provided real estate services to the preeminent retailers & developers in the nation. Herky is responsible for coordinating seamless, multi-market, best-of-class services to national retailers & developers.

Mike is the founder, owner, and active manager of Laurel Real Estate Services, LLC. He has provided services to major regional development firms on several vital projects and has worked with individual investors to make strategic equity plans in the Pittsburgh real estate market. He also sits on numerous charitable and trust executive boards and remains active in his local neighborhood and church. Mike spent the early part of his professional career working in Allegheny County’s Department of Economic Development (ACED) as a project manager and assistant manager. During his time with the County, Mike administered over $35 million in federal, state, and local grants. The unwinding of three major TIF bonds and the implementation of several LERTA districts helped him to develop his strong economic development toolkit. In addition, he provided oversight and technical support to nearly $1.3 billion in project investment in Allegheny County. Major duties included community outreach, public-private partnership initiatives, construction monitoring, grant procurement, funding requisition, and the monitoring of environmental remediation activities on Brownfield sites controlled by the County. Mike, his wife, and five children live in Pittsburgh’s North Squirrel Hill neighborhood. He grew up in the Pittsburgh area and is an alumnus of Duquesne University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in arts and sciences, with a major in Political Science & Policy Analysis. He completed his master’s in business administration with a concentration in Finance from the University of Pittsburgh’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business.

Rick Belloli focuses on shaping and implementing Q Development’s community-based investments. His two decades of experience in real estate and community development have been key to positioning Q to make impactful investments at the neighborhood level. He oversees all aspects of the entitlement process and manages the construction administration of historic tax credit projects throughout Q Development’s portfolio of work. Mr. Belloli’s experience in real estate is extensive and includes participation in more than $100 million of adaptive reuse or new development projects. His role has been wide-ranging and includes the financing, development, and/or redevelopment of and management of commercial, mixed-use, and residential properties in Pittsburgh and Detroit. Previous to Q, Mr. Belloli co-founded Civic Square LLC with his wife, Lisa Belloli, to provide comprehensive community revitalization guidance to investors, communities, and nonprofit organizations engaged in economic revitalization activities. Before launching Civic Square, Mr. Belloli was Executive Director of South Side Local Development Company, a post he held for 8 years. Mr. Belloli has over twenty-five years of experience in community and economic development in Pittsburgh and Detroit. Mr. Belloli has a B.A. from the University of Michigan and two Master's Degrees from Wayne State University and is an alumnus of a summer Executive Education program at Stanford University.

Scott is a graduate of Kent State University’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design. He’s a registered architect whose been practicing for 20+ years working in firms in Cleveland and Pittsburgh. He has extensive experience designing low, mid-, and high-density residential & mixed-use projects in the Tri-state area – frequently in urban environments on infill sites. Scott has a passion for and background in urban design and community planning. Early professional experience working with diverse & collaborative design teams (including architects, planners, interior designers, and landscape architects) has instilled a love of collaborative design (before it was cool) and a “big picture, planning first” approach to projects. Regardless of project type or scale, Scott approaches design with this planner’s mentality and the understanding that projects will impact and influence their surroundings. This perspective has been instrumental in creating designs that “fit” with their surroundings, are carefully attuned to their use, and contribute to the creation and/or curation of lasting and meaningful places. Scott has been a partner of LGA Partners LP since 2017. LGA is one of the largest locally owned architecture firms in the Greater Pittsburgh Region with a staff of 75 architects, interior designers, and support staff. We are organized around six core areas of concentration specializing in Aviation, Education, Healthcare, Housing, Retail, and Workplace design. Each specialization is operated by a Studio – each with a dedicated Partner-in-charge, Associate-in-charge, Studio Leader, managers, and staff. Scott is the Partner in charge of LGA’s Housing Studio.

As the CEO of Desmone Architects, Chip Desmone has over 30 years of experience in the Pittsburgh market and architecture profession. Chip possesses a broad background in multi-family developments, office, corporate, higher education, religious institution, and industrial projects throughout several states. Throughout his career, he has specialized in community development as an architect for neighborhood transformation and adaptive reuse throughout the region. Collectively, Chip has managed over 4,000 projects during his time at Desmone Architects. Chip gives back to his profession in many leadership and advocacy roles, working towards furthering the establishment of historic preservation and use of green energy both regionally and throughout the US. Chip played a large part in the revitalizing historic structures in Lawrenceville, starting with his own office the Pennsylvania National Bank Building, the Engine House 25, the Bath House, and the Stable House, just to name a few. Since 1993 with Chip’s vision, he and the Desmone team have been changing the landscape of Lawrenceville and the Pittsburgh region. Other organizations Chip is involved in: •NAIOP •AIA National •AIA Pennsylvania •AIA Pittsburgh Chapter •AIA/MBA Joint Committee •BOMA Membership Committee •Strip District Neighbors Board •SMPS

Pamela Austin is the Brand Ambassador of Burns Scalo Real Estate (BSRE). Pamela is responsible for developing BSRE’s placemaking, amenities programming, and special events to differentiate the BSRE brand. Pamela has a keen design eye that transforms and elevates Burns Scalo’s spaces. Pamela started her professional life as a biologist, working in Africa and Bhutan before real estate grabbed her interest through rehabbing homes for her own use. While working in Chicago in real estate development, Pamela sought to become more formally educated in interior design so took classes at Harrington College of Design. She attended the University of Illinois for her undergrad and received her M.S. from the University of Illinois- Chicago. She is a licensed real estate professional in Pennsylvania. Pamela previously worked as a Senior Project Manager of Development for seventeen years for McCaffery in Chicago and Pittsburgh and as a development consultant to Oxford Development on their multi-family projects. Her background in multi-family and mixed-used development allows her to bring a unique perspective to BSRE’s office portfolio. Pamela lives in the Strip District with her mate Mike and her German Wirehaired puppy Josey. She passionately serves her community as the President of Strip District Neighbors. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and hosting friends, hiking, and traveling.

Robin is a “seasoned” Business Development Professional having extensive experience within the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Real Estate industry, currently responsible for Business Development for POH Architects. His industry experience includes work in Washington DC, Central PA, and the Pittsburgh Region. Robin is a member of ULI, has held various leadership roles within the Pittsburgh Council, and is currently the Chair for the 2023 Placemaking Awards. A Pittsburgher by Choice since January of 2000, Robin has a deep understanding and skill set related to all aspects of the built environment. An engineer by education, he is a people person by profession. He is involved in community and industry organizations with a focus on economic development and helping people in need. Additionally, he is the Honorary Council for the Czech Republic in Pittsburgh. Robin has been a mentor previously working with professionals and students from various organizations and companies.

Lena Andrews is the Vice President of Real Estate Development with ACTION-Housing where she leads the real estate development group creating community-driven affordable housing in complex urban settings throughout the Pittsburgh region. Before her tenure at ACTION, Lena managed planning for Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority. Lena is passionate about building diverse, vibrant connected urban communities. She is a member of the advisory board of the City of Pittsburgh’s Housing Opportunity Fund and a board member of Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures, Jewish Residential Services, and Laurentian Hall. In her free time, Lena enjoys traveling, reading, running, practicing yoga, and cleaning up her neighborhood as the organizer of the East Liberty Trash Warriors. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Dartmouth College and a master’s degree in public policy from Carnegie Mellon University.