Our Team
Kacy McGill (they/them/theirs)
Kacy McGill serves as the Co-Director and Co-Founder of Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Aid. Kacy is a former barista, line cook, host, barback, pastry chef, and dishwasher.
Contact - kacy@pghrwa.org
Taylor Stessney (she/her, they/them)
Taylor Stessney serves as the Co-Director and Co-Founder of Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Aid. Taylor is a former bartender. Taylor currently works at the Restaurant Opportunities Center of Pittsburgh.
Contact - taylor@pghrwa.org
Jessica Rohe-Cook (she/her)
Jessica Rohe-Cook is the Resource Chair. Jessica helps provide updates to our Resource Guide and provides insights of other programs available to our community. Jessica currently works as the 311 Response Line Representative with the City of Pittsburgh and assists RentHelpPgh as the Help Desk Navigator. Jessica previously worked as a server.
Larisa Mednis (they/she)
Larisa Mednis serves as the Advocacy Organizer. Larisa is responsible for producing and updating our Resource Guide, working on advocacy related campaigns, and working closely with our recipients to make sure their requests are met. Larisa previously worked as a server/host.
larisa@pghrwa.org
Richard Gegick (he/him)
Richard Gegick serves as our Communications chair. Richard assists with press and communications work. Richard currently works as a bartender/server.
Matt-Fred Lapka (he/they)
Matt-Fred Lapka serves as the Advocacy Chair. Matt-Fred assists the Advocacy Organizer with advocacy campaigns and outreach opportunities. Matt-Fred previously worked as a server. Matt-Fred currently works at Prevention Point.
Contact - matt-fred@pghrwa.org
Joe Bacharach (he/him)
Joe serves as the Distribution Center Chair. Joe helps the Distribution Center Organizer with day to day operations. Joe previously worked as a bartender, server, busser, manager, and dishwasher.
Elina Malkin (she/her)
Elina Malkin serves as the Treasurer of Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Aid. Elina is a bartender and currently works at Tinas. Additionally, Elina serves as the Treasurer of the United States Bartenders Guild of Pittsburgh