Our Team
Dr. Collin Diedrich PhD
Executive Director and Co-founder
Dr. Collin Diedrich has a Ph.D. in Molecular Virology and Microbiology from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (2012). Dr. Diedrich’s research allowed him to work in Cape Town, South Africa for 3 approximately years (2012-2015). He now has a Certificate in Disability Legal Studies from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law (2017), and was a post doctoral associate (2015-2019) and is now a research scientist (2019-2024) studying how HIV changes immunological responses to tuberculosis at University of Pittsburgh. Collin balances his day job with running LDA of PA.
Collin has multiple learning disabilities and is an advocate, speaker and author for students and adults who learn and think differently. He’s spoken across the country about his experiences and teaches people how to embrace neurodiversity.
Collin is currently a board member at the Hebrew Free Loan Association and was a board member of Learning Disabilities Association of America from 2019-2020. He has volunteered for other wonderful learning disability focused organizations such as Pennsylvania Branch of the International Dyslexia Association and Provident Charter School in Pittsburgh. Dr. Diedrich is dedicated to providing helpful services to both children and adults with learning and attention issues.
Carrie Gardner
COO/Director of Literacy and Co-founder
Carrie Gardner has a business management degree and has been an advocate for people with dyslexia for more than a decade. She has a child and husband with dyslexia so she has a unique understanding of how learning differences affect all aspects of life. She has been a board member of the Pennsylvania Branch of International Dyslexia Association for a decade and provided funding for their first state-wide conference. Carrie was on the working board of the first free dyslexia charter school (Provident Charter) in Pittsburgh. Carrie is a tireless advocate for those that think differently.
La’Shawna McHenry
President
My name is La’Shawna McHenry and I am the Program Director of the 21st CCLC after school program at Provident Charter School. Provident is a school designed for students with dyslexia and other reading based learning disabilities, and as the director of the program I have plenty of experience helping students with learning disabilities achieve their highest potential. My job is to handle all internal tasks to keep the program running smoothly, including grant reporting to the state, interfacing with parents, teachers, and administrators, directing staff and parent volunteers, increasing engagement, and planning exciting programs. I strive in a fast paced environment, and I am very detail oriented when it comes to completing many tasks at once. I believe strongly in the work I do behind the scenes, and I know my program is improving the lives of the students and families I serve.
I have a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Clarion University, which I believe prepared me to see the areas of society that need to be changed, and gave me the tools to make a difference. In college I was secretary on the board of my local chapter of the NAACP, so I have experience in a leadership role on the board of an important local organization making changes for good. After college, I worked as the secretary for the Door Campaign, whose goal is to increase educational and employment opportunities for inner city youth. My duties included sitting in board meetings and taking meeting notes, so I am familiar with the structure of a nonprofit organization. In my time working in education, I have acquired many teaching accolades such as Wilson training, a leadership certification, a google suite certification, and a certification to teach EBLI. When I am not at work, I enjoy reading, snuggling my two dogs, and spending time with family and friends.
Beth Geatches
Vice President
Beth Geatches serves as Development and Events Manager at Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh, PA. She received her Master of Arts Management degree from Carnegie Mellon University, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Film Studies from The University of Tulsa. Beth is an Improv Instructor at Arcade Comedy Theater, coach of the Penny Arcade improv show for kids, and a member of the Carnegie Museum of Pittsburgh's Carnegie Connectors Steering Committee.
Ashanti Duncan
Secretary
Ashanti Duncan was the first employee at LDA of PA! Ashanti worked as the Administrative Assistant from 2023 to 2024. Ashanti is now pursuing a joint masters degree at the University of Pittsburgh in Fall 2024 in Social work and International Development. Ashanti joined the board at LDA of PA because after her employment she thoroughly enjoyed her time working for the organization and wanted to continue helping LDA of PA grow. Ashanti has management experience and was originally drawn to the position as a person who cares deeply about equitable access to mental health care and disability advocacy. Ashanti knows how people with LDs suffer when they go undiagnosed and how untreated LD’s negatively affect people into their adulthood. Ashanti understands the value that LDA offers to the community and wants to continue helping people in need.
Trisha Klan
Board of Directors,
Legal
My name is Trisha Klan, and I am an attorney at Buchanan Ingersoll – and a Pittsburgh native. Throughout my career, I have been committed to supporting underserved communities and advocating for equitable access to education and career opportunities. While being a lawyer is my “day job,” I have experience with community organization and service, as well as small- and large-scale advocacy. These experiences have reinforced my core belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to succeed, and that it is our collective responsibility—educators, community leaders, and organizations alike—to ensure no one is left behind due to lack of awareness or resources.
What draws me most to LDA is its focus on early intervention, which I see as essential to unlocking long-term success for individuals with learning disabilities. Since I received all of my education in Pennsylvania, I’m especially interested in helping create opportunities for others in this community and giving them the education, support, and skills they need to pursue whatever path they choose. In particular, I am excited about the opportunity to assist with fostering strategic partnerships and helping assess and mitigate risks within the organization to ensure sustainable growth and impact.
Deb Leff
Treasurer
My name is Deb Leff and I am the National Auditor for the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers. I began to learn bookkeeping from the age of five from my grandmother while she worked at our families business and for the past 38 years in all my career choices I’ve always had a hand in the “books”. I returned to college after a 23 year absence and earned my Bachelor's degree in Organized Leadership.
I currently serve on the Board of Directors as well as hold the position of Treasurer at the Hebrew Free Loan Association.
Part of what drew me to LDA was watching my best friend get help for her daughter who has dyslexia and her stories of others who didn’t have the knowledge or means to get help for their kids as well as having other friends who either have or have family members who struggle to learn.
Ray Eschenbach
Board of Directors,
Development
Ray Eschenbach is in his senior year at Slippery Rock University with a dual major in Nonprofit Management and Public Policy with a minor in Strategic Communication. His community-engaged learning in classes enhanced his grant writing and crowdfunding expertise, and his professional background in donor engagement, fundraising, and community engagement empowers him to continuously network, inspire others, and advocate for admirable missions and goals. Upon graduating in May 2026, he will seek career opportunities in development and fundraising, as well as project management, with various nonprofits in Pittsburgh.
Ray's professional goals are not tied down to any specific field or sector, but his heart is driven to giving back to the communities of Pittsburgh. Whether through disability, higher education, art and culture, or even financial literacy, as long as an outlet for advocacy presents itself, he will fill the shoes of any position that comes his way.
While not specifically a learning disability, his autism diagnosis at age 5 had a significant impact on his school experiences. Having a 504 Plan throughout elementary, middle, and high school was the perfect safety net for his specific needs in the classroom, but it was also one of his greatest epiphanies of why accommodations matter so much and how equity arguably holds a far greater value over equality. As such, being a part of LDA gives him the opportunity to return the favor and serve others while also exploring the possibilities of human rights advocacy. When he is not working, he can be found developing his cinephile personality, reading mostly nonfiction, or geeking out about anything Marvel- or anime-related.