BEST OF THE BATCH FOUNDATION

Board Member

Lynn has worked for more than 25 years as part of the region’s C-level executive leadership driving progress and growth in our economic development, civic, entrepreneurial, investment and innovation communities. Building technology sectors in the Greater Pittsburgh region.

Since 2013, she has been recruited to lead two prestigious CMU centers capitalized at $52 million dollars.

She has been a passionate, forward-looking leader working to drive vision and create infrastructure, develop strategies, create programming, provide education & training and the tools necessary to challenge and address the acceleration of innovation,  support wealth creation and awareness. She has done this in both her professional positions and volunteer board and community involvement. Her network of decision makers, funders and collaborators is deep and far-reaching. Lynn is a connector and often one of the first people that meets with and advises new partners and leaders that enter our regional entrepreneurial and innovation investment communities.

In January 2020, Lynn was appointed as the Executive Director of the $26M Digital Transformation & Innovator Center (DTIC) sponsored by PwC at Carnegie Mellon University where she is positioning data, artificial intelligence and ethics to solve the world’s biggest problems. To date, DTIC has invested nearly $6M in 35 translational research projects led by world renowned researchers and global thought leaders.

In 2013, she was recruited to be the founding Executive Director of the Disruptive Health Technology Institute (DHTI) at Carnegie Mellon University. After launching the institute in 2013, she led the $26M initiative and the investment of more than $5M to 38 new, disruptive technologies that are bringing transformational improvements in the affordability, accessibility, quality and simplicity of health care solutions. All of this work was focused on leveraging AI and machine learning, robotics and autonomous technologies, manufacturing, and policy development or collaborative processes that are likely to improve quality of life for large populations.

Lynn contributes on a number of boards and committees to work collaboratively with a diverse group of community partners to create a vision for the future of our region and provide strategic leadership and perspective to establish programs, goals, strategies, plans, and policies to create opportunity, belonging, intersectionality and wealth creation for underserved constituencies. Lynn is a national thought leader, that through nearly 100 invited talks, has motivated, inspired and led varied groups of people to understand the importance of collaboration, innovation, community building and civic engagement.

In her former role, as Chief Relationship Officer at the Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse (PLSG), she served as a director of the organization and was instrumental in all investments and many regional, national and global efforts positioning our community as a technology leader and an ideal place for business retention and creation. As the Chief Marketing Officer at PLSG, she was the organization’s spokesperson, expert voice on healthcare and life sciences and worked hand-in-hand with regional and national thought leaders to develop strategy and implement technology development programs.

She crafted investment strategy, brand strategy and creative marketing for the PLSG and for many of the companies in PLSG's investment portfolio, led the regional company attraction and incubation efforts and was a founding Director of the region's first ever life sciences-focused venture fund; the $8.1M Accelerator Fund, LLC.

During her time with PLSG, worked with 400 start-up companies and was on the executive team that made 173 investments for $18.7 million in 76 companies; leveraging nearly $1 billion in additional capital into the region.

In 1999, she directed the creation of the Inaugural Engineering Tissue Growth International Conference and Exposition to penetrate global market share for Pittsburgh. The conference attracted millions in sponsorship and 1500 attendees from 30 different countries including Germany, Japan, India, Australia, Korea, Canada and the United Kingdom. Envisioned the creative process for advertising and positioning strategies for various market segments. She helped create the Tissue Engineering International & Regenerative Medicine Society (TERMIS) and helped launch the TERMIS World Congress. Which are currently the most prestigious global regenerative medicine organizations in the world.

Lynn founded Women in Bio in Pittsburgh and was the 2015 Athena of Greater Pittsburgh Awardee for her tireless mentorship and work to create an equal playing field for all people in our region.

She is the producer and co-host of the nationally-ranked podcast, Innovation Unleashed which engages curious people who love discovering the “what’s next” in technology solutions to help all of us live better lives. To date, she has produced 70 episodes.

In all of her work, she has been part of the passionate group of leaders that represents and promotes the region in a variety of forums and efforts. These activities have included; raising more than $80M in economic development initiatives over the last decade, being a founding member of the TechBelt and working on the subsequent Altmire/Ryan TechBelt Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute effort, President Obama’s Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP) efforts in the region and being a member of the work team that attracted and helped secure the America Makes, National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute funding,  being appointed a member of the invited White House Business Council Economic Development Group, being appointed to Pittsburgh Mayor Peduto's Transition Team and serving on County Executive Fitzgerald’s Transition Innovation Team. Lynn was also a sector expert for the Allegheny Conference media relations team during the G20 Summit.

In 2016, Lynn created The Caileigh Lynn McDowell Foundation to honor the beautiful life of her niece, 17 year-old Woodland Hills High School senior Caileigh McDowell, who tragically passed away in April 2016 due to the catastrophic results of undiagnosed Crohn’s Disease. As President of the foundation she is working to transform political, social and economic systems and institutions to create a kinder, more equitable and just society for all. The foundation has awarded more than $40,000 in scholarships to Woodland Hills High School seniors that exemplify the ability to find common ground with their classmates. The foundation also leads Pop-UP! Voter registration events for 18 year old first time voters that to date have registered nearly 1000 first-time voters. The foundation also facilitates a bereavement group for parents that have lost children, leads a national kindness movement and is partnering with Strong Women Strong Girls and the Women and Girls Foundation to create programming focused on the importance of civility.

After the brutality and atrocity of the George Floyd murder, Lynn worked with Dr. Johnnetta Cole and other inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) practitioners from around the country who are working for real change in America to create the IDEA Coalition.

She works tirelessly to promote the region and it’s vitality while promoting and supporting the individuals and companies that are building our innovation community. Recently, Lynn was asked to be a grant application reviewer for The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development's $10M COVID-19 Pennsylvania Discoveries: Responding to SARS-COV-2 Through Innovation & Commercialization funding program.

Board Member

Candi Castleberry-Singleton is the Vice President of Intersectionality, Culture, and Diversity (ICD) at Twitter. She is also the founder of the award-winning Dignity & Respect Campaign, which has helped organizations create more inclusive work environments. As an experienced diversity and inclusion leader, she created The Bolt-On to Built-In Model™ featured in her chapter of Crossing the Divide: Intergroup Leadership in a World of Difference. She has developed successful strategies and initiatives in technology, telecommunications, and healthcare including Xerox, Sun Microsystems, Motorola, and UPMC.

Candi has served as an adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University. She received an MBA from Pepperdine, a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley, and completed the Stanford Executive Human Resources program.

Board Member

Sandy Fritz (BS health sciences, MS organizational leadership, licensed massage therapist Mi. NCTMB) is the Owner, Director, and Head Educator of the Health Enrichment Center in Lapeer, MI, and is dedicated to achieving excellence in massage practice. In massage practice for over 30 years and actively involved in the global advancement of massage therapy, Sandy is also passionate about training the next generation of quality instructors and leaders. As an educator for many years, she designs classes with innovative concepts and teaching strategies. She maintains an active massage practice with individual professional football players, basketball players, and others. Sandy is the author of the textbooks Fundamentals of Therapeutic Massage, Essential Sciences of Therapeutic Massage, and many other textbooks published by Elsevier.

Sandy is also a founding member of the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education and a school member of both the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals and the American Massage Therapy Association.

She has served as speaker for the World Massage Conference and as the keynote speaker for Education Destinations, Managing Chronic Conditions, Sports Based Massage, ABMP Conference, AMTA Conference, and Michigan Home Health Association.

In 2008, Sandy was inducted into the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame and has appeared in Massage Magazine twice: on the cover in 1996 and as the "January Star of the Century" in January 2000. She is also the author of the leading textbook line for therapeutic massage published by Mosby, An Affiliate of Elsevier.

Board Member

Robin Gostic was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania and is a Graduate of California University of Pennsylvania. She has been practicing in public accounting for over 16 years. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Pennsylvania Institute of Public Accountants (PICPA). She is a Girl Scout Leader and Volunteer since 2011. Robin also serves on the Board as the Service Unit Finance Manager for the GSWPA Firefly Service Unit.

Board Member

Mary Lou is a recently retired Para-professional. She was employed at Franklin Primary, Steel Valley School District for twelve years. In her twelve years there, she became a certified Para-professional through classes offered through the PSEA and AIU. She focused her years in education on kindergarten children, through the Title I Program, working with the basic and below basic students. Her passion involved working with children ranging from average to gifted to physically disabled. During that time she was also a bus monitor and lunchroom monitor for the children. She retired in January of 2012 to focus more on the needs of her family.

She has spent her working years from the age of sixteen in service-oriented jobs ranging from a pediatrician assistant, pizza maker, switchboard operator, to lead banquet waitress for the Radisson Hotel. She was a volunteer youth director for Anne Ashley UMC in Munhall for five years.

Mary Lou has been married for 48 years. She is the mother of four, grandmother of eight, and great-grandmother of one. Mary Lou’s passion for youth has been filling her time since retirement, volunteering at Anne Ashley UMC, Franklin Primary, and Best of the Batch Foundation.

Board Member

Christopher Smith Sr. is a son, brother, uncle, friend, mentor, and husband; but considers his most important job as being a Father. Like his parents; the late Herbert Sr. and Yvonne Smith, he was born and raised in Homestead, Pennsylvania, alongside four brothers and one sister and is blessed to have had a two-parent home. He attended the Homestead Public School district, now Steel Valley School district. His family attended Sunday school and Church service every Sunday at Park Place A.M.E. Church in Homestead, Pennsylvania, where he is currently an active worshipper.

After graduating from Homestead High School, Chris joined the U.S. Army Reserves and successfully completed basic training and AIT at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri. Upon completion of his training, he returned home and enrolled at the local Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) receiving a Certificate in Black and White Photography. In 1996, he graduated from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh with honors and received a Diploma in Desktop Publishing and Computer Art.

In 1986, he proudly accepted a job at WRS, Incorporation, a motion picture and video laboratory where he met his wife, Bonnie Rae Poole. They married in 1992 and have four amazing children: Jasmine, Christopher Jr., Miles, and Kennedy Smith. Jasmine, their oldest child, and only daughter, was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at birth. Jasmine is currently a resident at McGuire Memorial, located in New Brighton, Pennsylvania. One of the most difficult decisions he and his wife have ever had to make was entrusting McGuire Memorial with their daughter’s wellbeing. He sincerely respects and praises the staff for their dedication and commitment they provide to the residents of McGuire Memorial.

After leaving WRS Incorporation, Chris accepted a position with the Methodist United Social Agency (MUSA) as a Youth Program Coordinator; his role was to educate, tutor, and mentor the local youth on how to become outstanding role models for their community. In addition, he worked as a Case Assistant for Auberle Foster Care Agency in the evenings. During his tenure at MUSA and Auberle, he attended various educational classes and training receiving numerous Certificates.

Presently Chris is employed with the Borough of Homestead Public Works Department. He hopes through his hard work and dedication to his family and community that he instills a foundation for his children as his father instilled in him. He strives to keep the Borough of Homestead clean and beautiful for the residents and visitors.

Volunteer Work
Salvation Army, Homestead Pennsylvania
1982-1988 - Served as the Basketball Coach, supervised the gym and game room and assisted in organized summer basketball camps.
Steel Valley Midget Organization, Homestead, Pennsylvania
Active - Assistant Football Coach / Camp Roughhouse volunteer
Project Chuck Best of Batch Organization, Homestead, Pennsylvania
Active - Basketball Coach/Instructor

Board Member

Anthony L. Snoddy currently serves as the Chairman, President & Owner, Co-Owner, Managing Member, Board Member, and Investor in small to medium size companies. These companies are domestic and international, which hare involved in the manufacturing and distribution of a variety of products in the agriculture, farming, commercial and automotive markets. An accumulation of successful business experiences over 44 years has established Mr. Snoddy's manufacturing prowess, which is used to bring creative ventures and products to market.

Mr. Snoddy's achievements in business have been recognized by customers, peers, and community organizations over the years. His company achieved the automotive OEM highest supplier recognition awards. He was awarded the Premier Supplier Award from the Michigan Minority Business Development Council. His company, Exempler, was consistently ranked as one of the largest black-owned manufacturing companies. Mr. Snoddy received national recognition when awarded the Outstanding Industrial Technologist award. He was selected as Distinguished Alumni of Eastern Michigan University (EMU). He was inducted in the EMU Business School Entrepreneur Hall of Fame. He owned and managed the largest American privately held automotive electrical wiring systems manufacturer in the United States.

Anthony has a passion for his community, education, and sharing his beliefs through leadership. He has served in the capacity of a Board Member or Advisor for several organizations. To ensure local underprivileged are allowed opportunities to a college education, he sponsors two scholarships at Washentaw Community College. Additionally, he has established several scholarships at Eastern Michigan University, where he and his wife are recognized as major donors. He actively supports UNCF, NAACP, and St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.

Mr. Anthony L. Snoddy graduated from Easter Michigan Univ. with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Industrial Technology, in 1973. His post-graduate work in business was at Central Michigan Univ. Executive Management Training was completed at Harvard Business School and Northwestern University-Kellogg Graduate School of Management. Mr. Snoddy was born in Longview, Texas. He is married with two daughters and one son and resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Board Member

Katie Stewart, Psy D, is a licensed psychologist and the owner of Stewart Psychological Services in Pittsburgh’s North Hills.  After working in various settings for a decade, Dr. Stewart founded Stewart Psych as a way to offer psychological services in a setting that invites a sense of calm and ease.  Her work in individual psychotherapy initiates from a client-centered stance and infuses principles and techniques from psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, and eastern theories and philosophies. Human beings need to be seen, to be heard, to have a sense of connection, and to have a sense of belonging.  It is her deepest privilege to be able to provide a therapeutic space where those needs can be met.

Prior to opening her own practice, Dr. Stewart was on the faculty of the Department of Psychiatry at Allegheny Health Network, where she provided individual psychotherapy and assessment services, as well as supervision and training of Psychology Interns, Postdoctoral Fellows in Psychology, and Psychiatry Residents.  As part of the training component of her work there, Dr. Stewart was also the primary coordinator of a clinic for Psychiatry Residents that enabled the trainees to see patients with a wider range of presenting concerns and backgrounds while also giving patients greater access to treatment.  In 2016, she was honored to be named Teacher of the Year by the Department’s trainees.  Dr. Stewart previously served as an Assistant Professor and Clinical Coordinator in the Department of Psychology and Counseling at Carlow University.

Dr. Stewart graduated Magna Cum Laude from New York University, earning a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance.  She earned a Master of Science degree in Counseling Psychology from Chatham University, graduating Summa Cum Laude.  She then graduated Summa Cum Laude from Carlow University, earning a Doctor of Psychology degree in Counseling Psychology.  She is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Pennsylvania Psychological Association.  Dr. Stewart is also a regular contributor to PCNC’s Pittsburgh Now and Night Talk television shows, providing psychological insight into timely topics.  She currently lives in Pittsburgh’s North Hills with her husband and son and also teaches yoga and meditation.  A certified iRest®Yoga Nidra meditation teacher, Katie enjoys bringing the experience of wholeness, calm, and joy to the community.

Board Member

Pam Vartanian’ s professional career spanned from self-employment, running, and ultimately selling a successful business that continues to thrive today. She then moved on to a career in the Financial Services industry, starting with traditional banking then to internet banking in 1998. She held positions with Sanchez, E*TRADE, and Fiserv with increasing responsibility until her retirement in 2015. At that point, her focus was on raising funds for Type 1 Diabetes and other non-profit work. She now is focused on her passion for obedience dog training where she holds national titles and has focused her nonprofit work primarily with the Best of the Batch Foundation.