Team Living Pittsburgh

Heather is the visionary behind Living Pittsburgh, and serves as their CEO, Co-COO, and Editor in Chief…among many other countless roles. In addition to running Living Pittsburgh full time, and caring for her two little munchkins full time, she also serves on the advisory board for Neighbors in the Strip, and is a member of Pittsburgh Young Professionals. She has high hopes of utilizing her skills and community connections to help children in adverse situations, and is very excited about being a new volunteer for the Homeless Children’s Education Fund.

She spent years creating a successful career for herself in sales and account management before ultimately making the decision to leave work in 2007 to raise her children. In her efforts to continue living well in Pittsburgh while spending less money, she created an extensive database of resources in Pittsburgh and began to extract and consolidate their affordability aspects. She knew local consumers could benefit from her discoveries, and local businesses could use some help with promoting their great deals. The concept for Living Pittsburgh was born!

Heather is a Pittsburgh native who has enjoyed living her life outside the box. Other than bringing her girls into this world, some of her favorite experiences have been traveling Europe and California alone, walking across part of the mid-west, sky-diving, singing & playing guitar in Pittsburgh bands, volunteering as an on-air host at WYEP, and tying the knot on board Kennywood’s Thunderbolt rollercoaster with her wedding party in tow. She lives for her family, music, ever-so-perfect warm and sunny weather, and finding new things to experience. She dreams of one day being able to say that she’s stepped foot on every continent.

Rachel A. Booth – Partner

Rachel is Heather’s partner-in-crime, and serves as Living Pittsburgh’s CFO, Co-COO, editor and graphics coordinator, among many other countless roles. In addition to running Living Pittsburgh full time with Heather and raising her young son, she serves on the Downtown Resident Council through the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, is a member of Pittsburgh Young Professionals, is an E-Mentor through PA E-Mentoring and conducts stroller tours of Downtown Pittsburgh through her company, Urban Baby Tours.

After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Ithaca College in Upstate New York, Rachel moved back to her hometown in Maryland, where she forged her career in sales and sales management before taking a break to raise the aforementioned kiddo. Rachel relocated to Downtown Pittsburgh with her family in April 2008 and is beyond excited to call it home. She met Heather within weeks of her move to the ‘Burgh and even then their entreprenurial wheels were turning. Rachel loved Heather’s concept and quickly became involved in helping her bring Living Pittsburgh to life.

Rachel is a recovering shopaholic (although Living Pittsburgh has been a huge help!), enjoys spending time with her husband and son, shopping, experiencing all things Downtown Pittsburgh, walking everywhere, shopping, mastering her Wii Fit, shopping, decaf blueberry muffin lattes, shopping, and shopping.

Leah Schmalz – Photography Intern

Leah is a photographer and writer raised in the small town of Poland, Ohio. She spent 3 years in Chicago getting her BA in journalism from DePaul University and discovering the city’s best spots. In the fall of 2009 she relocated to Portland, Maine, for a few intense months of studying documentary photography at the Salt Institute. Now she’s back in Ohio as a recent college graduate, trying to balance her love for photography, multimedia, and writing. When she’s not occupied by one of these things, she enjoys aimless drives, ultimate frisbee, and finding new things to do in her familiar hometown. A sampling of Leah’s fantastic work can be found here.

Rebekah Coleman – Journalism Intern

Rebekah is currently a junior at Duquesne University where she is working towards her degree in print journalism and public relations. She also writes for the University student newspaper, the Duquesne Duke. After graduation, she would like to write for a magazine, newspaper or online organization. Rebekah enjoys journalism because it allows her to communicate with various individuals around the community. In her free time, she enjoys snowboarding, wakeboarding and riding her bike on nice days.

Steve Schohn – Contributing Photographer

Steve is a self-taught freelance photographer born and raised in Pittsburgh.  He’s been doing photography for 10 years, and just started his own website and business.  Steve has done some event and portrait photography, and also has a few upcoming weddings scheduled for this summer.  Photography has always been a passion of his, and he’s always looking to learn and develop his skills.  Steve is also an employee of The Pear Transportation Company, a designated driver service in Pittsburgh. In his free time Steve likes to skateboard, snowboard, and pretty much do anything outdoors.  Here’s a link to his photography website.

Lauren Sullivan – Journalism Intern