The Executive Team
Meghan Meabon
Meghan is the Founder and Owner of Pittsburgh City Moms Blog. Born and raised in Pittsburgh also known as “The City of Neighborhoods.” She studied Education at Edinboro University where she also obtained her Masters in Educational Leadership.
She’s been married to her best friend and husband, Jeromie, for 16 years. Together they have been blessed with three beautiful children, son, Dylan 14 years old, daughter, Madison 11 years old and son, Jordan, 7 years old.
She enjoys watching the creative minds of her children as they participate in their extra activities. Favorite pastimes are cheering on the Pittsburgh Sports, relaxing on a beach and laughing with friends and family over a glass of red. Meghan is excited about meeting Pittsburgh Moms and connecting them to resources that will make their lives easier and more fun!
To contact Meghan, email her at Meghan (at) pittsburghmomcollective (dot) com
Linda Fayad
Carri Finkbeiner
Carri, a Native of Pittsburgh, is a Mom of three, and Aunt to many and Wife to one very special guy. She began writing as a child, but only pursued it as a career when she realized she was good at it.
For the past twenty-three years, Carri has been a working mom. Her past 13 years have been in the stay-at-home capacity, during which she earned her college degree and built her own social media production business while working independently contracted projects among various industries.
When she isn’t busy creating something new, she babysits her nieces and takes lots of pictures, mostly as an effort to gather writing subject material, but ultimately to subliminally keep her from wanting more children of her own. She enjoys live music, art and entertainment, and living vicariously by connecting with new people and sharing experiences.
The Pittsburgh Mom Collective Authors
Amanda Kirkman
Amanda Mihailoff
Amanda is a 32-year-old Pittsburgh native who ventured from living along the Allegheny River as a child to crossing the rivers and now living along the Monongahela River with her husband (Tom) and two boys (T.J. age 5 & Joey age 1). She is a Journalism graduate of Point Park University (2008) and has been working as a Marketing/Business Development professional in the Engineering Industry since.
“Family First” is the Mihailoff motto so Amanda likes to focus on providing fun experiences and (too many) toys for the kids all while supporting her husband’s dream of coaching high school football. Between a full-time career, kids’ and their activities and homework, and Tom’s full plate, Amanda is always on the go but with a smile and laughter. Life gets crazy but it’s the journey through it that matters!
Free time does eventually roll around for Amanda. That’s when you will find her trying new recipes, using a new home workout, golfing, going for coffee with a friend, watching movies, or scrolling Facebook (and not afraid to admit it).
Brandy Kane
Brandy was born and raised in San Diego, CA and recently relocated to Corry, PA with her husband and children.
She is a traditional mom with a hint of old school parenting to 7 kids and a pet pig. As a former Mrs. California-America 2004, Brandy is passionate about God and the Bible, beauty and fashion, and is our resident beauty expert.
Brittany Allen
Brittany Allen is a mom to a beautiful little girl. They are both Pittsburgh natives that live 20 minutes outside of the city. Aside from momming and working you can find Brittany doing tarot readings and teaching yoga classes online. She’s spent the last four years as a self love and spiritual mentor. She loves bringing women together and seeing them shine!
Chelsea Cross
Chelsea Cross is a solo parent to two little boys who lives in Gibsonia. She is a born and raised Pittsburgher who works during the week as a healthcare recruiter and loves connecting healthcare heroes to the right job opportunities. In her free time she enjoys caring for her many houseplants, playing with her boys, dog, and kitty, and generally staying active. She and her kids love a good Saturday morning kitchen dance party.
Elizabeth Hough
Meet Liz! I’ve been called a lot of names in my 30 years of life, but the past 6 years it has mainly been “momma”. I’m a stay at home mom of a two, three, four, and six year old. Yes, that means I had four children in five years. Before my daughter was born I decided to be a “kit napper” with Thirty One Gifts, and almost 6 years later it’s been one of the best decisions of my life! This “bag thing”, as my husband calls it, has allowed me to stay home with our kids and the freedom to do extracurricular activities. Not to mention, I’ve met a lot of wonderful friends that I didn’t have 6 years ago. Moms need people too! We can’t pour into others if we haven’t filled our own cup. I’ve experienced many highs in my motherhood journey, that’s what we all look forward to!
I’ve also experienced some significant lows. Having a miscarriage was one that I wasn’t sure I would be able to overcome. Thankfully, I did and here I am, 7 years later with four beautiful babies to share my successes, failures and things my kids do that no one would believe if it wasn’t written down.
Jessie Wagner
Jessie is a 30 year old mother of 3. Her and her husband were married in 2005, when she was just 18! Following their marriage they quickly filled their house with laughter in 2006 Alexander was born, then followed by Grace in 2008 and Mckenzie in 2010. In the early years of motherhood she decided her efforts were best spent at home. In 2016 , when McKenzie entered the public school system, Jessie returned to work as a full time nanny. While she finds both motherhood and being a nanny rewarding; she also enjoys the arts of cooking and photography.
Jessie was born in Pittsburgh, however she was raised mostly in coastal Virginia where her father was stationed in the Navy. They returned home to Pittsburgh when he retired in 1998.
Julia Furgiuele
Julia is a wife of 5 years, with her husband for the last 12. Mom of three kids, she has a step son age 16, son age 7, and 2 year old daughter. Julia is a stay at home mom that wears many hats! She is the accountant and manager of their five rental properties, as well as accounting for their kitchen and bath business she co-owns. Julia also has a real estate license currently in escrow, and has two businesses of her own– a needle felting gig, mostly newborn photo props and hair accessories, and a wine business with Traveling Vineyard!
Julia loves watching her kids do all their activities and she is always helping someone out somewhere, so she drinks a lot of coffee! Julia loves to keep busy and loves helping, so joining Pittsburgh Mom Collective fills both of those fires!
Julia Germeyer
Julia is a proud mom to 1-year-old Gabriel and 15-year-old Nathan. She and her husband live in the South Hills with their two boys and two rescue cats. Julia is a lifelong writer, having “published” her first novella at the young age of eight. It was a handwritten, self-illustrated ten-page account of a parrot, but we all start somewhere. Currently, Julia freelances in writing, communications, and marketing and teaches at the University of Pittsburgh. She has an MBA from Point Park University and a Bachelor’s from Pitt. She’s an advocate for shelter pets and has a passion for learning and education, in whatever form they take. In their spare time, Julia and her family enjoy exploring the outdoors, going to wineries, creating new traditions, traveling (there’s a lot on the list yet), house projects, and Nathan’s soccer games.
Lanae Lumsden
Lanae is lifelong Pittsburgh resident with a brief stint in Ohio for her high school and middle school years. Most of her life she lived in Wilkinsburg but recently became a resident of the north boroughs.
Lanae holds an Associates’ Degree in fashion merchandising and a Bachelor’s Degree in business management. After college, Lanae, entered the insurance and financial services industry by becoming a licensed agent and a claims specialist. Recently she was elected to the position of School Director for the Northgate School District. With two children on the spectrum support and understanding of Neurodiveristy is a message she strives to spread. Lanae also is an advocate for cloth diapering and baby wearing.
With two boys and three girls ranging in ages from 21- 5 most of her time is spent traveling to ballet lessons and other after school activities. When there is time left, she enjoys writing, sewing and cooking. She is currently finishing up her first novel with more already in the works. With a love for travel, Lanae and her family have been to several different Caribbean islands and 2 countries in Central America. So, look to hear more about the organized chaos that is traveling with 5 kids.
Madison Stilson
Madison is a Louisiana native who recently moved to Harmony for her husband’s career. Together they have a four-year-old son, Matthew, who is excited about his first winter in the snow! Madison studied Elementary Grades Education at LSU after which she taught elementary school in Baton Rouge. She is now a stay-at-home mom who enjoys watching “Blippi” and tripping over Hot Wheels that are left all over the floor. She has an affinity for all things organization; a new planner, label maker, or cubby is like Christmas morning to her. She is often guilty of staying up well past her bedtime reading library books on her Kindle or watching Lifetime Christmas movies. When she is not taking a family walk with her boys and their dog Henry, Madison can be found baking gluten-free, dairy-free, junk-free treats to satisfy her sweet tooth. She enjoys connecting with other mamas and appreciates the creative outlet that writing provides her.
Marie Chir
Marie, a native of Pittsburgh, is a career Nanny with over 10 years of experience. She is currently working for a wonderful family in Fox Chapel. She is a 2007 Graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a BA in Writing. She is 34 and currently resides in the South Hills. Marie spends her days creating various activities for her “nanny kids” that range from messy crafts to educational games. She feels very passionately that children learn best through play. She loves being silly with her nanny kids and appreciates every day knowing she has the greatest job in the world! She makes a point to explore the city of Pittsburgh with her nanny kids and utilize its wonderful resources, Throughout the year, she will travel to museums, landmarks, playgrounds, and tourist attractions. She feels the kids should know and appreciate where they live. Plus, Pittsburgh is an amazing city with a complex history and continual metamorphosis. Marie is currently working on her first children’s book, a fictional collection of short stories, and a curriculum for other nannies and stay at home moms. She’s also a quarterly contributor for Nanny Magazine. Marie is Dog Mom to her corgi, Butters. She loves coffee, The Simpsons, and jamming to early 2000’s pop music. She is a proud aunt to her adorable 3-year-old niece. She may not have any children of her own, however, she has many “nieces and nephews” now that her friends are having children.
Tara Work
Tara is a native Pittsburgher. She currently lives in the South Hills with her husband, their 3 year old daughter and 5 month old son. Tara is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Nursing. She have worked in pediatrics her entire career and there is no other nursing she would rather do! Tara graduated with a Masters of Nursing from Waynesburg University which lead her to her current role as a Clinical Nurse Educator.
In her free time Tara enjoys girls night outs with her best girlfriends, and spending time making memories with her family!