Founding Director
Jeanne Marie Laskas (she/her) is the author of eight books, including To Obama: With Love, Joy, Anger, and Hope; Concussion; Hidden America; and an award-winning trilogy of memoirs. A Distinguished Professor of English, she teaches writing at Pitt and is the creative force behind the Center for Creativity.
Director of Strategy & Partnership
Kit Ayars (she/her) is the Director of the Center for Creativity, her most recent administrative gig at the University. She began her academic administration career at Pitt in the Arts & Sciences graduate studies division before working in the Office of the Provost and Pitt Information Technology. She did her graduate work in literature and cultural studies at Pitt and has taught composition, literature, and nonfiction writing. She has published both nonfiction work and poetry.
Founding Producer, C4C: The Pittsburgh Lens
Carl Kurlander (he/him), a Pittsburgh native who helped launch the University’s Pitt in LA film program, has made a variety of award-winning films at the University of Pittsburgh: The Shot Felt ‘Round The World, about the development of the Salk polio vaccine; Burden of Genius, about Dr. Thomas Starzl’s pioneering work in the field of organ transplantation; and The Rehabilitation of the Hill, which allowed Pitt students and members of the Hill District community to work alongside industry professionals in the making of a feature film. He is also a screenwriter (his credits include St. Elmo’s Fire) and TV writer/producer (including NBC’s Saved by the Bell franchise). Other work includes the Starz TV series The Chair, which followed two directors making different movies from the same script in Pittsburgh and won the 2015 TV Critics Award, and the documentary My Tale of Two Cities, which told the story of Pittsburgh reinventing itself for a new age.
Staff
Chloe Baierl (she/they) graduated from Pitt in April 2020 with a degree in Nonfiction Writing and English Literature. Fueled by a passion for learning and creativity, she loves to help other people tap into their curiosity. Chloe is a fiber artist who likes to make her ideas tangible through knitting, and she loves to experiment with different art and making disciplines. She also enjoys creative writing, reading literary fiction, coffee making, and sourdough baking.
Shannon Fink (they/them) is the Center for Creativity Operations Manager. They are a former carpenter who began in the theater, building and painting sets and working as a stage manager. They transferred their creativity into the construction field and worked as a remodeler in residential construction. Their interests include painting, printmaking, and woodworking. They are always looking for new ways to create.
William Gillis (he/him) is fascinated by the creative process and loves helping the Center's users discover and explore their creativity. He writes and records music at home and also enjoys drawing, painting, stenciling, and a variety of other creative activities. William has worked as an editor and a writer for popular and academic publications. He has also taught classes in journalism and American studies.
Angela Hindes (she/they) is a cartoonist and comics creator with a background in painting and illustration. She loves art as a form of storytelling and is passionate about helping others explore mediums with which they can tell their own stories and discover art that brings them comfort. Angela enjoys writing ghost stories, exploring old, mossy abandoned buildings, and is a big fan of breakfast food.
* Pitt Mental Health Champion (University Counseling Center)
* Pitt Tree Tender (Office of Sustainability)
Shannon Mayne (she/her) has a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies as a vocalist. In addition to music, she enjoys crocheting, card-making, and artistically recycling any materials that she can. She loves trying new crafts and learning about other people’s creative inspirations and aspirations! Her other interests include puzzles, dogs, cooking, puns, and traveling.
Erik Schuckers (he/him) is the Center for Creativity Programming and Communications Manager. He is also a former marching and jazz band nerd who has worked in nonprofit and corporate management. He is a Best of the Net and Pushcart Prize nominated writer whose work has appeared in various journals and anthologies. He has a special interest in combining words and images through collage, Instagram, and zines.
Ariel Skovera (she/her) loves getting involved in all kinds of art mediums and helping people create different pieces of artwork. With a background in photography and film production, she has worked on film sets and assisted on photo shoots for various publications. Besides photography, she enjoys writing poetry, painting, and road tripping to various parks.
* Pitt Mental Health Champion (University Counseling Center)
Student Workers
Justin Best (he/they/she) is a junior majoring in Environmental Studies, as well as a possible minor in Film Studies. They have an interest in environmental activism, as shown in their involvement with multiple sustainability clubs at Pitt. In his free time, Justin listens to new music, spends time outside, hangs out with friends, and keeps himself busy no matter what.
Connor McCarthy (he/ him) is a freshman double majoring in Film and Media Studies and Computational Social Science. He is a writer who enjoys filmmaking, dancing, making music, creating art, and learning new things. He is intrigued by the unique interactions between technology and society, and the hope of a future in which technology and the internet serve a more positive purpose. In the future, Connor hopes to continue to create thought-provoking art for open-minded audiences.
Natasha O'Brien (she/her) is a junior studying Environmental Science. She has an interest in the way changes to the environment impact public health and combines natural science classes with public health courses to explore this relationship. When not in class, she pursues artistic ventures, including novel writing, painting, jewelry making, hair dyeing, designing clothes, and doll making.
Savannah Skinner (she/her) is a sophomore majoring in neuroscience with a minor in chemistry. After graduation, she hopes to get involved with research in genetic regulation and modification. She enjoys playing guitar, visiting aquariums, going to coffee shops, and baking.
Della Wagner (she/her) is a sophomore with a deep passion for Film and Media Studies. She is interested in the art of filmmaking and enjoys uncovering the nuanced layers of meaning in the movies and shows she watches. She has experience with a variety of mediums including the fiber arts, book binding, drawing, painting, and more. In her free time, you'll often find her indulging in a good nap, playing video games, or enjoying the beauty of everyday life.
Graduate Student Assistant
Sade Tukuru (she/her) is an aspiring interdisciplinary public health practitioner with a focus on infectious disease and health equity. Her background as a microbiology student, musician, and dancer has allowed her to explore intersections between seemingly disparate fields. Sade is passionate about cultivating wellness through education in the arts and enjoys helping others find solace in the creative process. She is eager to learn more about theater, visual arts, and creative writing. B.S., University of Pittsburgh (Microbiology, Certificate in Global Studies).