Yvonne Rainey – Vice Chair
Yvonne Rainey is a Northside community activist and grandmother of 12 with over 35 years of public service. Yvonne has shown unwavering commitment to improving the lives of those around her through her work in education and social justice. She played a pivotal role in advocating for children and families, establishing significant programs such as the Head Start Program and the MEP Program, which has been instrumental in providing early education and essential support to countless families. Yvonne studied Human Relations at Carlow College and has always believed in the power of education as a tool for empowerment. She has served in leadership roles within the community, including involvement in the Coalition for Fair Housing and advocacy for affordable housing. She advocates for community safety in her current role as President of the Zone 1 Northside Safety Council.
Natalie Boyanovsky – Chair
A Pittsburgh native, Natalie moved to San Francisco post-college and found herself working as a science instructor at the community science workshop’s flagship location. She enjoyed working with youth and tinkering and exploring all things science workshop — dissecting owl pellets, learning to fix microscopes, taking apart radios and reusing their speakers and electromagnets, traveling to collect fossils, and more. After returning home to Pittsburgh in 2020, Natalie was delighted to partner with the Pittsburgh Science Workshop and serve on their board. She is also actively involved with several other nonprofits in the area as well including the Alan I W Frank House Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Association, Uncover Squirrel Hill, and the Friendship Circle — specializing in fundraising, media, and events. She admires that PCSW nurtures questions, novel ideas, and curiosity! Kids and their families visit the science workshop to build projects large and small, hold snakes, tinker with microscopes and other scientific tools, and learn about the natural world through their own curiosity and exploration. It has become a community space for families to learn and build together.
Lorraine Cross
Lorraine Cross is a dedicated and loyal public servant with 40 years of experience with the United States Postal Service, where she currently serves as a Supervisor specializing in management-level grievance handling between APWU and NPMHU. For two decades, she has been an active council member of The Black Political Empowerment Project, now serving as its Vice Chair and Civic Engagement Coordinator. Lorraine also serves nationally as the Management Division Chair for the National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees, where she works to encourage, educate, and support managers and supervisors across the country. Her lifelong commitment to fair leadership, civic engagement, and empowering communities continues to guide her work and service. She is inspired by community-based science learning because it gives people—especially young people—direct access to knowledge, empowerment, and opportunity. I believe in any mission that helps communities understand the world around them, strengthens confidence through learning, and ensures that everyone has a voice in shaping a better future.
Jonathan Royster
Jonathan Royster grew up in the west end of Pittsburgh. He went to California University of PA and received a bachelor’s in science. After a short stint with Prudential doing insurance and investments, he began his banking career with Dollar Bank as a branch manager in 2018. In 2022 he began his career with KeyBank. This is where he fell in love with business banking. Jonathan loved the idea of being able to be a resource for small businesses because they are the backbone of our communities. He has always had a passion for lifting up his community which is why he serves on 4 non profit boards with the newest one being PSCW. He and his beautiful wife Dr. Sara Kyles – Royster will be celebrating 8 years of marriage this upcoming December. They don’t have any kids of our own, but they have a Jack Rusell named Lola and a niece and nephew who they love like their own
Alysia McCray – Board Member
Alysia is a Pittsburgh native and Pittsburgh Public Schools graduate who is currently pursuing an MS in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She is also a graduate student researcher at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, where her work focuses on pediatric and neonatal disease mechanisms, including early-life viral infections and asthma development.
As a nontraditional student who returned to school in 2020, Alysia is deeply committed to expanding access to science education and supporting learners from underrepresented and underserved communities. Her background spans biomedical research, healthcare administration, and community leadership, including founding organizations dedicated to mentorship, mental health, and student support. She was drawn to Pittsburgh Science Workshop’s mission of curiosity-driven, hands-on learning and is passionate about empowering young people to see themselves as scientists through accessible, engaging science experiences.
Angela Williams
Kim Mudd
Nachu Lakshmanan – Treasurer
Claire Fox – Secretary