Board of Directors

Tawana Cook Purnell

A Pittsburgh native, Tawana Cook Purnell was well educated in Pittsburgh Public Schools: Robert L. Vann, Frick, and Schenley, before graduating from Peabody High School. She spent years in Washington, DC, as a teacher and administrator at St. Albans School, the National Cathedral School, and the Bishop Walker School for Boys. When she returned home to Pittsburgh, Tawana also served as principal at the Environmental Charter School and The Campus (Laboratory) School at Carlow University in Pittsburgh, PA.  Over the years, she has also served on several local, regional, and national boards.

A philosophy major and English minor, she attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, as a member of the first class to admit women, before transferring to and graduating from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Tawana later earned her Master of Arts in Private School Leadership at Columbia University’s Teachers College.

Most importantly, she is the proud parent of three adult children -Justin, Tara, and Austin - and the grandmother of two - Henry and Phoebe.

Director Cook Purnell can be reached by email at tcookpurnell1@pghschools.org.

Ms. Devon Taliaferro 

Elected official until 2027 election

 District 2

Carnegie Museum Board Liaison

Committee Chair:

Government Relations

Committee Co-Chair:

Policy

About Ms. Taliaferro: 

A Pittsburgh native who has a long and deep commitment to making an impact on communities throughout the Pittsburgh region. Currently, Devon serves as the Talent Acquisition Coordinator for the City of Pittsburgh. Prior to this position, she served as the Community Engagement Coordinator at the Midwife Center for Birth & Women’s Health, and as a member of the Public Allies Pittsburgh 2015-2016 cohort. Additionally, Devon has held mentorship positions with notable organizations including Amachi Pittsburgh and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh, where she exemplified her passion for empowering young people to discover their potential and use their voice.

​These efforts led to her selection as The Incline’s Who’s Next: Community Leaders & Activists (2017), The Pittsburgh Circle of Courage Award in Education (2018), The New Pittsburgh Courier 50 Women of Excellence (2018), Pittsburgh Magazine’s Three Rivers Community Champion (2019), and Pittsburgh Magazine/PUMP 40 Under 40 (2020). Devon currently resides in the East Allegheny/ Deutschtown area of the Northside in the City of Pittsburgh.

 Ms. Taliaferro can be reached by email at dtaliaferro1@pghschools.org.

Erikka Grayson

Erikka Grayson currently serves as the Senior Clubhouse Director for the Estelle S. Campbell Boys & Girls Club, where she works to create a safe, supportive space for all children served. Prior to this role, she served as the Director of Community and Engagement at the Early Excellence Project, developing tutoring and literacy programs for early childhood and elementary students in the Hill District.

A proud Hill District resident, Grayson made Pittsburgh her home after relocating from Washington, D.C. She is the creator of Bomb Moms, an Instagram platform and podcast dedicated to amplifying the voices and experiences of mothers. Grayson holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from Point Park University. She is also a skilled project manager with volunteer experience supporting Pittsburgh Public Schools.

The wife and mother of one graduate and two current Pittsburgh Public Schools students, Director Grayson resides in the Hill District.

Director Grayson can be reached by email at egrayson3@pghschools.org.

Ms. Yael Silk

District 4

Committee Chair:

Safety and Operations

About Ms. Silk:

Yael Silk has called Pittsburgh home since June 2011. Ms. Silk developed a career in arts education with a focus on professional learning, program evaluation, and advocacy. Currently serving as Executive Director at Arts Ed Collaborative, Ms. Silk obtained a bachelor’s degree in Music from Barnard College and a master’s degree in Arts in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. 

Ms. Silk can be reached by email at ysilk1@pghschools.org.

Dr. Tracey Reed

Second-Vice President | District 5

Committee Chair:

Education

Committee Co-Chair:

Business & Finance

About Dr. Reed: 

Tracey Reed grew up in Pittsburgh and attended Beltzhoover Elementary School.  She taught high school English in Frederick, Maryland.  Currently a Program Officer at The Grable Foundation, Dr. Reed has obtained a B.A. in English from the University of Pittsburgh and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Educational Policy from the University of Virginia.  Dr. Reed serves on the boards of A+ Schools, Connecting Champions, and Women for a Healthy Environment.  

Dr. Reed can be reached by email at treed1@pghschools.org.

Ms. Emma Yourd

District 6

Right to Education Liaison

Committee Chair:  

Business and Finance 

About Ms. Yourd:

A Pittsburgh-area native, Emma Yourd spent six years in Washinton D.C. managing international development programs before moving home in 2018 to focus her skills on making Pittsburgh a more equitable city. Ms. Yourd is the ARM Institute’s Education and Workforce Development (EWD) Partnership Manager, where she facilitates all aspects of EWD regional and community outreach with the goal of building bridges between Pittsburgh’s tech sector and our most under resourced communities.

Ms. Yourd joined the ARM Institute in 2022 from the Forbes Funds, a philanthropic foundation in Pittsburgh, where she co-created capacity building solutions with Allegheny County nonprofits. Her career has always been driven by working in collaboration with under resourced communities to address systemic issues.

Ms. Yourd holds a master’s in Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh and a BA in Economics from Smith College. She currently resides in Beechview with her husband.

Ms. Yourd can be reached by email at eyourd1@pghschools.org.

Eva Diodati

Eva Diodati is a native Pittsburgher. They grew up in Pittsburgh's Brookline neighborhood and currently reside in Carrick. They graduated from Pittsburgh Brashear in 2009, received their BA in Theatre Arts from Duquesne University in 2012 (a proud Red Masquers Alum), and earned their MA in English and Media from Duquesne University in 2018. For the last 7 years, Eva has worked for the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh as a Teen Library Services Associate. Previously, Eva worked as a Museum Educator for the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh and served as a board member for the Gemini Children's Theatre. 

A few fun facts about Eva: They own a small in-home jewelry business called The Final Frontier Jewelry Co; they are the proud treasurer for United Steelworkers Local 9562; they are a performer with the Pittsburgh Playback Theatre; and, most importantly, they are mom to a cat named Pocahontas "Pokey" Marie Diodati. 

Eva Diodati is honored to serve Pittsburgh as the first Black and open LGBTQIA+ PPS Board Director for District 7. 

Director Diodati can be reached by email at ediodati1@pghschools.org.

Mr. Dwayne Barker

District 8

Committee Co-Chair: Personnel / Negotiations

About Mr. Barker:

Dwayne Barker is a graduate of Pittsburgh Public Schools, and a parent of three children. An advocate for young people, he has been a leader in the educational field for over 15 years. Mr. Barker has been a powerful community organizer, an advocate in our schools, and an effective mentor to students. His dedicated work has bridged the home-school connection, helped to improve students’ performance and supported teacher practice.

Mr. Barker was recently appointed to the PA Title 1 State Parent Advisory Council where he serves as a parent advisor to the PA Department of Education. He has received awards from the PA State AfterSchool Youth Development Network, Youth Works of Western PA, United Way of Southwestern PA, and more.

As a member of the School Board, Mr. Barker will prioritize improving family/community engagement, increasing access to mental health services, and expanding and funding community schools. 

Mr. Barker can be reached by email at dbarker1@pghschools.org.

Gene Walker

President | District 9

Council of the Great City Schools Representative

About Mr. Walker: 

Gene Walker has worked in finance, education, direct support, marketing, and nonprofit management. He is a graduate of Peabody High School and received his bachelor’s degree in business and accounting from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. 

Mr. Walker returned to Pittsburgh in 2009 to work alongside the team at the Pittsburgh Promise in various capacities, including becoming the first Director of Workforce Development in 2015. During his time with the Promise, he was responsible for creating numerous programs, including the District’s We Promise program focused on African American male mentoring, The Promise college tours, and The Promise ambassador program. In 2018, Mr. Walker left The Promise to launch a new nonprofit, Mission C, to provide financial education and support for families facing eviction. In 2019, he left Mission C to support adults with intellectual and physical disabilities with Gene Cook Supports Inc. That same year he became an Accredited Financial Counselor and now provides affordable personal finance management counseling to individuals and families. Mr. Walker and his wife Jenny have two children, both recent graduates of Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Mr. Walker can be reached by email at gwalker1@pghschools.org.