Offroute Leadership
Learn more about who we are and why we do what we do.
.png)
Founder & Executive Director
Kjerstin Pugh
Kjerstin (shir-stin) founded Offroute after working at a public arts high school for almost a decade. Many former students would visit and share how challenging post-high school life could be. Many felt disconnected from their identities as artists.
Combining her backgrounds in education, community engagement, conflict resolution, youth & identity research, and administration, Kjerstin wanted Offroute to do something no one else is doing: display and sell artwork by emerging adults, no strings attached.
Offroute serves as a foundation for young adults to feel supported and more connected to the communities around them. She hopes that Offroute can offer a bright spot in artists' lives always, but especially during the challenging times that come with navigating adulthood.
.png)
Board President
Jaspar Leahy
Jaspar has always felt that art offers so much to the individual — both the artist creating their art and the people fortunate to view it — but also to society in helping it reflect on itself and imagine new possibilities. If we aren’t empowering the next generation of artists, we are missing out on inspiration for a better future.
Jaspar works in the social impact sector, currently as the Program Manager at Forward Global. She has also worked in conflict resolution education and practice as well as in DEI consulting. In her free time, Jaspar enjoys spending time in her local community, supporting arts initiatives, playing music, and encouraging the next generation of youth to change the world.
Treasurer
Dasawn Gray
Dasawn Gray is the owner of Hazelwood Cafe, a community hub in Hazelwood, Pennsylvania. A lifelong resident of Hazelwood, Dasawn’s mission is to give back to the community that raised him, “one cup of kindness at a time.”
The cafe features Offroute art displays and events. Dasawn appreciates art and loves working with young adults in the community. He believes in collaboration and bringing people together to achieve bigger goals, while infusing positive energy into the neighborhood.
Dasawn loves nature, cooking/baking, & creating playlists!
.png)
Board Member
Kimmy Rehak
Kimmy is an Instructional Designer, English Language Instructor, and Doctoral Student. She appreciates the symbiosis of Offroute’s mission:
-
Emerging artists are given space to present, experiment, and benefit from their craft.
-
Our community gets affordable art and an opportunity to patronize young talent.
One of Kimmy's favorite quotes is:
“Because love is an act of courage, not of fear, love is a commitment to others. No matter where the oppressed are found, the act of love is commitment to their cause--the cause of liberation.” ― Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed
Board Member
Elizabeth Rivera
Elizabeth is a Cyber Security Analyst who is also a big appreciator of the arts and jealous of those who can create magical pieces. She wants to
to support the development of art and artists in Pittsburgh. Elizabeth also believes strongly in the value of community and the power of a welcoming and uplifting community: "Don't underestimate the value of doing nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering. - Winnie the Pooh (A.A. Milne).
Board Member
Mitali Ray
Mitali Ray, the daughter of Bengali immigrants from Kolkata, West Bengal, grew up in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, immersed in the vibrant traditions of arts and culture celebrated by her community.
Indian culture, renowned for its artistic and cultural richness, encompasses visual arts, literature, music, and dance. Annual festivals
brought these traditions to life through performances and celebrations of various art forms.
A classically trained dancer, Mitali began practicing Bengali dance at age four and
training in Bharatanatyam—one of India’s oldest and most revered classical dance
forms originating in the south—at age five, continuing through adulthood. These early
experiences fostered her lifelong appreciation for the arts and a deep respect for diverse cultures.
Mitali’s creative roots complement her scientific pursuits. As an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh, she researches the interplay between chronic stress, racial disparities, and cardiovascular disease in the context of pregnancy. For her, consuming art is a vital practice that helps maintain authenticity and balance in her daily life. In her free time, Mitali enjoys exploring museums, supporting young artists through Offroute, and impromptu dance parties—a nod to the joy and creativity that continue to shape her journey.
Events and Outreach Assistant
Bo Valencheck
Bo (they/he) is a queer writer, activist, and fiber artist from Pittsburgh, Pa. He is in his senior year of high school. Most of the things he likes to make have nature or horror elements. He loves going on hikes, volunteering at his local food distro, and playing board games– currently obsessed with Isle of Cats.
Excited to be surrounded by so many amazing artists, this opportunity at Offroute has been such an inspiring experience! In a world taken over by AI, for him, one of the most important things is creating a lot and letting things look messy. In the words of Julia Cameron, “It's impossible to get better and look good at the same time.”
Events & Displays Assistant
Chazz Burke
Chazzlyn or Chazz is a Pittsburgh native and welding instructor at Industrial Arts Workshop. Chazzlyn graduated from Temple University with a background in theater tech and obtained a film certificate. Chazz joined Offroute to be another helping hand in the Pittsburgh arts scene.
"I LOVE MY NEIGHBOR!!!"
Do you
see yourself here?
Natalie D.C. (she/her) is a mixed-media artist, writer, film critic, and social media manager based in Pittsburgh, PA. Her work grapples with her mental health and queer Moroccan Jewish identity. Her art has been published in Forbes & Fifth, Qafiyah Review, Rune, and elsewhere. She is also the author of two poetry chapbooks, blue pearl (Bottlecap Press, 2022) and dandelion child (Audience Askew, forthcoming).
In 2025, Natalie graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Arts in Public and Professional Writing. She currently works as an Assistant at Offroute Art, a Marketing and Communications Intern at Casey Droege Cultural Productions, as well as a Communications Intern at Upstream Pittsburgh. When not working, she can usually be found re-watching her favorite movie over and over, baking with her little sister, or filling her walls with anything and everything that makes her smile.