Our Team
Dr. Collin Diedrich PhD
President and Founder
Dr. Collin Diedrich has a Ph.D. in Molecular Virology and Microbiology from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (2012). Dr. Diedrich’s research allowed him to work in Cape Town, South Africa for 3 approximately years (2012-2015). He now has a Certificate in Disability Legal Studies from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law (2017), and was a post doctoral associate (2015-2019) and is now a research scientist (2019-2024) studying how HIV changes immunological responses to tuberculosis at University of Pittsburgh. Collin balances his day job with running LDA of PA.
Collin has multiple learning disabilities and is an advocate, speaker and author for students and adults who learn and think differently. He’s spoken across the country about his experiences and teaches people how to embrace neurodiversity.
Collin is currently a board member at the Hebrew Free Loan Association and was a board member of Learning Disabilities Association of America from 2019-2020. He has volunteered for other wonderful learning disability focused organizations such as Pennsylvania Branch of the International Dyslexia Association and Provident Charter School in Pittsburgh. Dr. Diedrich is dedicated to providing helpful services to both children and adults with learning and attention issues.
Carrie Gardner
Vice President
Carrie Gardner has a business management degree and has been an advocate for people with dyslexia for more than a decade. She has a child and husband with dyslexia so she has a unique understanding of how learning differences affect all aspects of life. She has been a board member of the Pennsylvania Branch of International Dyslexia Association for a decade and provided funding for their first state-wide conference. Carrie was on the working board of the first free dyslexia charter school (Provident Charter) in Pittsburgh. Carrie is a tireless advocate for those that think differently.
Ashanti Duncan
Treasurer
Ashanti Duncan was the first employee at LDA of PA! Ashanti worked as the Administrative Assistant from 2023 to 2024. Ashanti is now pursuing a joint masters degree at the University of Pittsburgh in Fall 2024 in Social work and International Development. Ashanti joined the board at LDA of PA because after her employment she thoroughly enjoyed her time working for the organization and wanted to continue helping LDA of PA grow. Ashanti has management experience and was originally drawn to the position as a person who cares deeply about equitable access to mental health care and disability advocacy. Ashanti knows how people with LDs suffer when they go undiagnosed and how untreated LD’s negatively affect people into their adulthood. Ashanti understands the value that LDA offers to the community and wants to continue helping people in need.
Dr. Polly Mattila PhD
Secretary
Dr. Polly Mattila has a Ph.D. in Comparative and Molecular Biosciences from the University of Minnesota and postdoctoral training in cell biology at the University of Pittsburgh. In addition to her passion for science, Dr. Mattila has a deep curiosity about how individuals learn. Her interest in learning styles started when she was young. She grew up alongside family members with multiple learning disabilities and observed how her mother had to advocate for her siblings in a school system built for typical learners. Her mother brought an awareness to not only the challenges individuals with learning disabilities must overcome, but also the tremendous learning capacity they have when given the right tools. Dr. Mattila has devoted time to tutoring, teaching, and mentoring people of all ages facing challenges in the classroom. She joins our team to help coordinate services for individuals of all ages with learning and attention issues.
La’Shawna McHenry
Member of the Board, Volunteer
Engagement
My name is La’Shawna McHenry and I am the Program Director of the 21st CCLC after school program at Provident Charter School. Provident is a school designed for students with dyslexia and other reading based learning disabilities, and as the director of the program I have plenty of experience helping students with learning disabilities achieve their highest potential. My job is to handle all internal tasks to keep the program running smoothly, including grant reporting to the state, interfacing with parents, teachers, and administrators, directing staff and parent volunteers, increasing engagement, and planning exciting programs. I strive in a fast paced environment, and I am very detail oriented when it comes to completing many tasks at once. I believe strongly in the work I do behind the scenes, and I know my program is improving the lives of the students and families I serve.
I have a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Clarion University, which I believe prepared me to see the areas of society that need to be changed, and gave me the tools to make a difference. In college I was secretary on the board of my local chapter of the NAACP, so I have experience in a leadership role on the board of an important local organization making changes for good. After college, I worked as the secretary for the Door Campaign, whose goal is to increase educational and employment opportunities for inner city youth. My duties included sitting in board meetings and taking meeting notes, so I am familiar with the structure of a nonprofit organization. In my time working in education, I have acquired many teaching accolades such as Wilson training, a leadership certification, a google suite certification, and a certification to teach EBLI. When I am not at work, I enjoy reading, snuggling my two dogs, and spending time with family and friends.
William (Bill) Moorhead
Member of the Board, Legal
Education is one of my life passions. As such, I ran for and was elected to the Mt. Lebanon School District School Board, eventually becoming Vice President. The School District has a $100,000,000 annual budget and its employees are represented by 3 unions. The Board is responsible for making executive decisions regarding among many other things curriculum, programs, budget, contracts, HR issues and union issues. During my time on the Board, I was the Board’s point person on a $115,000,000 construction project that came in on time and on budget (with no litigation). In my last year on he Board, we were able to fund all programs and complete a district wide multi-million dollar installation of HVAC and not raise taxes. I currently sit on the Board of and provide counsel to a privately held tech firm called SynergIT, which provides IT services to mid-size business and governmental entities.
I would very much like to volunteer my time to LDA of Pa. I believe my extensive legal background and varied board service background would add considerable value. I chose not to run for re-election to the Mt. Lebanon School Board and termed out in 2018. Recently, I have had the itch to get back into a public service role and I believe LDA of Pa. would be a perfect fit.
On the personal front, I live in Mt. Lebanon with my wife Sandy. I have 3 adult children all of whom graduated from Pitt and 2 of whom has wonderful experiences working with Polly Mattila in various lab settings.
Beth Geatches
Member of the Board, Development
Beth Geatches serves as Development and Events Manager at Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh, PA. She received her Master of Arts Management degree from Carnegie Mellon University, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Film Studies from The University of Tulsa. Beth is an Improv Instructor at Arcade Comedy Theater, coach of the Penny Arcade improv show for kids, and a member of the Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh's Carnegie Connectors Steering Committee.
Cheyenne Hennen
Member of the Board, Advocacy
My name is Cheyenne and I’m from Pittsburgh PA. I am service-oriented and passionate about cultivating spaces that are diverse, culturally inclusive, and accessible for all individuals. After graduating Penn State in 22' with a BA in Global and International studies with minors in Asian studies and Korean - I served in Compass AmeriCorps supporting and teaching ESL (English as a second language) and Parent Education to refugee and immigrant families and children at Literacy Pittsburgh in South Hills. While also advocating for parents and youth with disabilities at Parent Education and Leadership Center (PEAL) which strives to empower and educate families on disability rights, IEP's, and 504 plans. I am now working at PITT as a Clinical Research Coordinator in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation where I will be assisting with various research studies on individuals with Spina Bifida and innovation in disability empowerment.
My mission is to provide accessible services to all individuals while also working towards decreasing social and cultural stigmas around disability through education, creative expression, and community.
Past Board Members
Vicki Mayowski, Treasurer, 2018-2024
Quadirah Taylor, Development and Outreach, 2023
Jan Gillispie, Board of Directors, 2018-2022
Dawn Talley, Secretary, 2018-2021
Joshua Camson, Board of Directors, 2018-2019