Pnina Cohen has lived in the Pittsburgh area for about 16 years. She moved here from Connecticut, with her husband Avi to raise a family in a vibrant Jewish community with all the resources that a community offers. 17 years and 3 IVF babies later Pnina and Avi were recently blessed with an "unmedicated" baby growing their family to 6. Pnina has alot of experience in the medical and neurodivergent communities having explored them both for herself and her children. Pnina is passionate about supporting and advocating for people going through life's challenges.

Why JFF?
Having gone through many years of fertility challenges Pnina knows first hand how isolating the journey can be. She knows how disconnected it can make a couple/family from their community and is excited to be able to support local individuals on their own fertility journeys as well as helping the community at large have a better understanding of the fertility struggle and how best to support community members going through it.

Sharon Cooper is originally from the Washington, DC area and moved to Pittsburgh with her family in 2011. She and her husband struggled with secondary infertility issues and are so grateful to have two IVF babies in their family of 5 today - including three boys, her husband Jason and herself. Sharon works for the International Ocean Discovery Program and is a children's book author.

WHY JFF?
Sharon understands (at least some) of the emotional and physical challenges of infertility and is eager to help support others on their journeys and feel less alone.

Erika Schmitt, MSW, LSW, is Director of Adoption & Permanency Services at The Children's Home & Lemieux Family Center. As such, Erika oversees programs for domestic infant adoption, adoption from foster care, SWAN (Pennsylvania's Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network), and Counseling services, including counseling for couples and individuals experiencing infertility, and using assisted reproductive technology, third party reproduction and surrogacy. Erika received her Bachelor's degree in psychology and master's degree in social work, both from the University of Pittsburgh. She is passionate about helping individuals and couples grow their families and become parents, through whatever means is best for them. Erika was born and raised in a suburb of Pittsburgh and has never left the area! Erika is also a single mom by choice and parenting a daughter.

Why JFF?
Erika has both personal and professional experience in the infertility realm. From both perspectives, Erika has witnessed the financial and emotional challenges that accompany the infertility journey. Support during this process is crucial and when Erika learned of JFF's ability to help in both of these areas, as well as raise awareness and give a voice to a topic not often discussed, she immediately knew she wanted to see the Pittsburgh community be able to benefit from these services. After heading the initial exploratory committee, Erika is beyond excited to see JFF in Pittsburgh and to continue to serve the organization as the Pittsburgh Advisory Committee chair.