Imogene Cathey Named as TALI NELA PLDIC Scholarship Recipient

Congratulations to the newest PLDIC TALI scholar: Imogene Cathey, Vice President and General Counsel, Seton Hill University. Imogene received a scholarship from the PLDIC to attend The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI)’s National Executive Leadership Academy. The NELA is tailored to support rising Black leaders and their allies. The program runs from February-June 2026. Congratulations, Imogene!

Learn more about Imogene in our Q&A.

Sidnee McDonald Named as TALI Emerging Leaders Program PLDIC Scholarship Recipient

Congratulations to the newest PLDIC TALI scholar: Sidnee McDonald, Associate for Cozen O’Connor, PLDIC YPAB Member, and previous PLDIC Volunteer of the Year. Sidnee received a scholarship from the PLDIC to attend The Advanced Leadership Institute (TALI)’s Emerging Leaders Program. The Emerging Leaders Program is tailored to support rising Black leaders and their allies. The program runs from January-June 2026. Congratulations, Sidnee!

“Being selected to participate in the TALI Emerging Leaders Program is an incredibly meaningful milestone for me, both professionally and personally. To be chosen for this program is an honor in itself, but to have the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition fully sponsor my participation makes it much more profound. PLDIC’s investment goes far beyond covering the cost of tuition; it represents their belief in me, in my leadership potential, and in the value of investing early in rising talent. Knowing that they chose to fund my participation reaffirms that they see promise in my growth and are committed to supporting me in spaces where I can connect, learn, and stretch into my best self as a leader.

What makes this opportunity particularly special is the community it fosters: being in a space with peers who are similarly committed to growth, excellence, and impact — especially other Black leaders and professionals striving toward the next stage of their careers. The relationships built in this program, the perspectives shared, and the collective experience of pushing one another to lead with authenticity and confidence are invaluable.

I am deeply grateful to PLDIC for this investment in my development. Their support makes me feel seen, valued, and affirmed not just as a contributor within the legal community, but as a future leader whose voice and influence matter. This opportunity is not just about the skills I will gain, it is about the confidence I will carry forward, the connections I will nurture, and the foundation it builds for my ongoing journey of service, leadership, and impact.”

Learn more about Sidnee

Boys & Girls Clubs & PLDIC Wrap-Up 12-Week Legal Career Pathways Program for Area Teenagers

Boys & Girls Clubs and PLDIC Wrap-Up Twelve-Week Legal Career Pathways Program for Area Teenagers
Teens Interested in Legal Profession Connected to Experiences Led by Attorneys and Judges

Pittsburgh, PA- In partnership with the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition (PLDIC), seven teenagers from seven different area high schools served by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania (BGCWPA) completed the inaugural twelve-week Law and Legal Interest Club in which they were connected to hands-on learning experiences led by 45 attorney, legal professional, law student, and pre-law student volunteers from a variety of Pittsburgh area organizations and schools.

Throughout the twelve-week program, students learned about legal careers, different types of legal practice areas, including in-house law departments, large firms, and nonprofit representation, and future employment opportunities in legal support positions, such as IT, marketing, and more. Students visited the campuses of Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh to learn about admission processes and requirements and hear firsthand from pre-law and law students about their experiences. The program featured hands-on and interactive exercises which taught students how to issue spot, interview and cross-examine witnesses, develop an opening statement and closing argument – all culminating in a mini mock trial at Judge Nicola Henry-Taylor’s courtroom led entirely by the program participants.

“This program has changed the way I view my future. The opportunities and connections I’ve gained through this 12 week program have been irreplaceable.  My goal has always been to join the legal profession,” said Jer’Niyah Hannah, an 11th grader who participated in the Club through BGCWPA. “This program solidified my desire to pursue a career in litigation.”

“I am immensely grateful for this program as this is a chance many don’t get. It has helped me fully understand how much I truly want to pursue my career in law,” said Alif Binali, another 11th grade participant from BGCWPA.

The program built on past programs hosted by BGCWPA and PLDIC, which included career captures and presentations at the organization’s Teen Centers in Shadyside, Downtown Pittsburgh, Carnegie, and McKeesport. The curriculum for the Law and Legal Interest Club was designed by a diverse working group of attorneys and legal professionals, including Judge Henry-Taylor of the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, Barb Strnad, Devon Ferris and Ryan Naumann of Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C., DeMarr Moulton of Comber Miller, LLC., and Kellie Ware of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

“As a person who did not fully understand what it meant to be a lawyer until after being admitted to the bar, it is profoundly inspiring to see students have a view of windows, and mirrors, into the profession they aspire to join,” said Judge Henry-Taylor. “The students did an amazing job with their mock trial performance, and I see future litigators and legal professionals among them.”

“Since the PLDIC has partnered with the BCGWPA, our Legal Career Pathways Program has blossomed – after visiting multiple clubhouses for interactive sessions over the past few years, we’ve taken our partnership to a new level with the Law and Legal Interest Club,” said Ena Lebel, Executive Director, PLDIC. “Teens were able to visit law firms, law schools, and courtrooms and learn about our field and ultimately, put what they learned to practice. We hope that the Club has inspired, challenged, and given these students access to opportunities that may make them realize their potential as future lawyers.”

To celebrate the completion of the Law and Legal Interest Club, the students and their families, along with program volunteers and leadership, gathered at PPG Paints Arena on December 8. The students received complimentary headshot portraits from Life Camera Soul Photography (a Pittsburgh-based portrait studio specializing in empowering, legacy-focused imagery for individuals, organizations, and community initiatives), and guests were treated to a tour of the arena from Pittsburgh Penguins leadership. Students who graduated from the program were also given a list of contact information for the dozens of attorneys, legal professionals, and university representatives whom they met throughout the program.

Photos from the program can be found here. Please credit Jordan Jenkins of Life Camera Soul Photography.

“This internship was not only informative and educational regarding careers within the legal profession, but also gave the teens a sense of confidence that any career path that they choose is obtainable,” said Scott Flurry, Director of Teen and Career Development, BGCWPA. “The teens had very insightful questions and often went past their ending time. Programs like this serve as a reminder to us why we are here.”

The Law and Legal Interest Club is a part of the BGCWPA’s growing menu of career pathways and teen council programs, which include the Youth Advocacy Council for teenagers interested in policymaking and government, the Teen Influencer Council for those interested in social media and digital content creation, Healthcare Pathways for those interested in medical-related fields, and the soon-to-launch Architecture and Design Pathway.

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About Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania

Founded in 1888, Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania (BGCWPA) serves nearly 11,000 youth annually, providing a safe, supportive, and fun environment with programs in academics, leadership, mentorship, career readiness, and sports. With eleven Clubhouse locations and several school and community partners throughout the region, BGCWPA is shaping the future for young people across Southwestern Pennsylvania.
www.bgcwpa.org

About Pittsburgh Legal Diversity and Inclusion Coalition
The mission of the Pittsburgh Legal Diversity & Inclusion Coalition is to create a culture of inclusion and highlight diversity successes and initiatives in the Pittsburgh legal community; and to educate and assist Pittsburgh area legal employers in increasing the hiring, retention, and inclusion of legal professionals from a variety of diverse backgrounds. The organization is comprised of 63 member organizations including corporations, law firms, government, nonprofit, and affiliate members in the Pittsburgh region.
https://pghlegaldiversity.org/

PLDIC Awards Fourth Annual Volunteer of the Year Award

The PLDIC presented the fourth annual Volunteer of the Year Award at the 2025 Annual Members Meeting. The award was created to honor a member employee who has gone above and beyond in their volunteer efforts. Congratulations to Barb Strnad, shareholder at Dickie McCamey.

Congratulations, Barb!

Get to know Barb in a Q&A.