About Us
Ascender is a vibrant community of innovators that helps entrepreneurs start and build their companies by offering educational programming, mentorship, expert coaching, incubation, and a collaborative coworking space.
Contact UsFrom fledgling tech companies, and healthcare innovators to makers, creators, services and shops, Ascender is for Pittsburgh’s entrepreneurs.
Our Values
Embody inclusion + respect.
celebrates others.
Empower collective success.
Dream big + pursue excellence.
is possible.
Resources for Entrepreneurs
Programs.
Open to All Entrepreneurs
Free Monthly Workshops
Yearlong Startup Incubator
Curated Newsletter
Connectivity.
1:1 Connections
Network of Experts
Innovative Community
Socials & Learning Groups
Space.
Modern Coworking Hub
Variety of Plans & Amenities
Exclusive Perks
Free Parking
Our Team
Nadyli Nuñez
CEO
Ellen McDevitt
Programs Director
Christina Miller
Operations Director
Sam Bender
Community Operations Coordinator
Ummey Karim
Programs Manager
Diondre Faulk
Programs Coordinator
atiya jones
Administrative Coordinator
Maureen Agbagba
Executive Assistant
Donald Robinson
Entrepreneur Success Manager
Irina Zambrano
Marketing Coordinator
Craig Markovitz
Senior Advisor
Tammy Szijarto
Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR)
Our Board
Caitlin Green
Board Chair of Ascender
SVP, Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications at ServiceLink
Yvonne Campos
Board Vice Chair of Ascender
Development Committee Co-Chair
President, Next Act Fund
Jayme Burgman
Board Secretary of Ascender
CFO, CLASS (Community Living And Support Services)
Jessica Minkus
Board Treasurer of Ascender
CEO, Bookminders
Jeanette Thomas
Governance Committee Chair of Ascender
CTO, Govenda
John Rodella
Development Committee Co-Chair
Angel Investor, Next Act Fund LLC
Federico Olivares
Founder, 2nd Skull
Jim Gibbs
Founder & CEO, Meter Feeder
Jeffrey Morris
Proposal Writer, Public Knowledge
Aster Teclay
VP - Relationship Manager II Community Development Banking, PNC
Oscar Macedo
CFO, 2nd Skull, Inc.
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