DIRECTORS
David May-Stein
Director of J&R Day Camp, Division Director, JCC Children, Youth and Family, Day Camps
David has over 25 years of experience in both the education and camping fields. He began his career as a teacher and quickly became an assistant principal. David was the principal of Colfax, Pittsburgh Public Schools, from 2002 – 2011. He was promoted to Assistant Superintendent and then Chief of School Performance. David was a transformative leader in all of his leadership roles. He coached and mentored staff to deliver the best educational services and supports to children and families and focused on creating positive learning spaces for all children and staff. David grew up at the JCC as a member, camper, and Jr. High Lounge regular. He worked at EKC for 4 summers while earning his undergraduate degree and spent 8 summers at J&R as a unit head and nature specialist (Nature Dave). David holds graduate degrees in education leadership from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. He oversees all JCC Day Camps, Children, Youth and Family programming and is the Director of J&R. David lives in Pittsburgh with his wife, Sheila, and has 3 children. Sarah lives in Pittsburgh, and Jesse and Jayne live in Chicago.
David May-Stein, 412-697-3537
dmay-stein@jccpgh.org
Kari Vissichelli
Assistant Director of J&R Day Camp, Assistant Division Director, JCC Children, Youth and Family, Day Camps
Kari has an extensive background spanning over 15 years in both the educational and camping sectors. She began her career with Pittsburgh Public Schools in 2009 and taught 8th grade Math for ten years at Pittsburgh Colfax. Summers were synonymous with J&R, where Kari evolved from a camper to a counselor and unit head. Her most recent time at camp was as the Director of Programming where she oversaw all of our specialty areas and activity instructors. Kari would eventually end her time at camp, but only to transition to leadership roles within Pittsburgh Public Schools. She excelled as the Assistant Principal at Pittsburgh Morrow for four years before assuming the position of Principal at the Environmental Charter High School. In these capacities, she spearheaded staff hiring, elevated student achievement, coached teachers for professional growth, championed robust parent and community involvement and created a positive school climate as a transformational leader. After a hiatus to start her family and be home with her two young children, Kari returned to the JCC as a Membership Sales Specialist. Reconnecting with the organization, she discovered her passion and wealth of experience as an educator and principal could greatly benefit our JCC community and from there she joined the camping team in February 2024. Kari resides in the city of Pittsburgh with her husband, Chris, who serves as a city police officer, and their two children, Carter and Dani.
Kari Vissichelli, 412-697-3518
kvissichelli@jccpgh.org
Brandi Tedesco
J&R Day Camp Program Director, JCC Specialty Camps Director, Assistant Division Director, Sports & Recreation
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Brandi has over 15 years of education and youth programming experience working with multiple schools and organizations around the Pittsburgh area. In addition to the Program Director at J&R, Brandi manages our Sport & Recreation department at the JCC, overseeing all of our basketball leagues and youth and adult sports. Brandi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education from Slippery Rock University and a Master’s in Health and Physical Activity from the University of Pittsburgh. Brandi lives in Shaler with her husband, Vince and daughter Madelyn.
Brandi Tedesco , 412-697-3532
Kathy Wayne
Director, Performing Arts Camp
Kathy’s skill, creativity and care have inspired kids in dance and musical theater at the JCC, where she is a long-time director of the year-round JCC School of Dance program, Performing Arts Camp and the annual Middle School Musical. A graduate of Point Park College with a B.A. in dance, her professional credits include Tokyo Disneyland, Caesar’s Atlantic City and many productions with the Pittsburgh Playhouse.
Kathy Wayne, 412-339-5414
Emma Litwak
South Hills Day Camps Director and Director of Children and Family Services
Emma will lead the South Hills JCC in providing high-quality, impactful programming for the youngest members of our South Hills community and their families.
Deeply connected to the JCC movement and her local Jewish community, Emma has spent the majority of her life to this point participating in or professionally supporting a wide variety of JCC programs, including having attended J&R Day Camp in Monroeville and J Day Camps of the Mandel JCC in Cleveland, Ohio. Emma is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned her degree in psychology and holds certificates in nonprofit-management and Jewish studies.
Emma Litwak, 412-419-7824
elitwak@jccpgh.org
Abbey Plumb
J&R Day Camp Inclusion Coordinator
Deeply connected to the JCC, Abbey spent nearly six years in various part-time roles at our center supporting our after school program, JDays, birthday parties, and in supervisory roles at J&R Day Camp and All Day at the J, the JCC’s remote learning program. Abbey has played an active role in numerous programs, camper care and staff engagement initiatives across the Children, Youth and Family Division and JCC Day Camps. Abbey graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Applied Developmental Psychology before joining the JCC in a full-time capacity as the Children, Youth, and Family Department Director and Clubhouse After School Program Director, and Assistant Director of South Hills Day Camp where she oversees and supports the growth of many youths and family programming. Abbey is returning to J&R Day Camp this summer as their Inclusion Coordinator to ensure the success of every camper over the summer.
Abbey Plumb, 412-339-5409
aplumb@jccpgh.org