2022 ACC Western PA Chapter Board of Directors
President (1-year term 2022) Justin Conrad
Justin Conrad is a Senior Attorney for Crown Castle, the nation’s largest provider of shared wireless infrastructure. Justin works with Crown Castle’s Real Estate Team in managing a portfolio of over 40,000 cell towers, as well as numerous small cell and fiber assets, across the United States and Canada. Prior to joining Crown, he was in private practice with law firms specializing in oil and gas/energy and medical malpractice defense litigation, respectively.
Justin earned his J.D. degree from Duquesne University School of Law and his B.S. in Finance (with a German minor) from Penn State University. He currently serves on the Executive Board of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a cause that is very near and dear to his heart.
President-Elect and VP-Programs Ashley Piovesan
Ashley Piovesan is Litigation Counsel for Alcoa Corporation, a global industry leader in bauxite, alumina and aluminum products headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Prior to joining Alcoa in October 2018, Ashley was an attorney at Crown Castle International Corp. where she managed litigation matters. Before moving in-house, Ashley was a litigator with Robb Leonard Mulvihill LLP concentrating her practice on insurance coverage, commercial litigation and general civil litigation matters. Ashley received her B.A. in Political Science and Women’s Studies from Miami University and her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. Ashley is also a Hearing Committee Member for the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board.
Treasurer Zachary Laplante
Zachary Laplante ("Zack") currently serves as Privacy Counsel to Philips, a global health technology company focused on improving people’s health and well-being through meaningful innovation. Zack is responsible for providing guidance and counsel to the "Sleep & Respiratory Care" business, including the investigation of potential data breach incidents, assessment of data processing activities and compliance with applicable privacy laws/regulations, in addition to general guidance and consultation with executive leadership and product managers on matters involving data processing and exchange. Zack's previous experience includes serving as Associate Counsel for Privacy & Data Ethics at Highmark Health, and as an Attorney for Regulatory & Compliance at FedEx.
Zack is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and received his J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 2015, as well as his B.L.A. magna cum laude from the University of Massachusetts in 2010. He also provides pro bono legal aid to eligible clients through the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts program, facilitated by the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council. .
Secretary Diane Bobak
Diane Bobak is Counsel for Highmark Health, the parent company of insurer, Highmark Inc., and of medical system, Allegheny Health Network. Highmark Health is headquartered in Pittsburgh, and it provides insurance, and healthcare services at the consumer and corporate level, as well as to government entities. Diane is a transactional lawyer, focusing largely on providing commercial and general corporate legal advice to Highmark Health and its many affiliates. Prior to joining Highmark Health, Diane was an Attorney at Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, where she guided the various business units on matters of commercial law, and corporate compliance. Prior to working in-house, Diane worked in private practice primarily in the areas of litigation, compliance and commercial transactions. Diane received her J.D. degree from Capital University School of Law and obtained her B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh.
Vice President-Advocacy Elena Nubani
Elena Nubani is Corporate Counsel at Circle Internet Financial, LLC. Prior to Circle, Elena served as Corporate Counsel at MSA Safety, a global safety equipment manufacturer headquartered in Cranberry Twp., Pennsylvania, where she helped to manage the litigation portfolio of various MSA subsidiaries around the world, and provided advice and counseling to global business partners on risk mitigation and avoidance, advertising law, and employment matters.
Vice President-Communications Blaire Scott
Blaire Scott serves as Corporate Counsel at NCC Group. With over 30 years experience, and over 14,000 customers in 35 countries, NCC Group is the worlds' leading Software Source Code Escrow Agent and provider of software resilience and business continuity solutions. In her role, Blaire is responsible for various tasks including contract drafting, review and negotiation, providing guidance to the executive team and senior management on compliance issues, development of legal policies and strategic business planning, and handling and responding to various employment legal matters.
Prior to her time at NCC Group, Blaire was Associate Counsel for 6 years at Liberty Tire Recycling where she was responsible for contract drafting and negotiations, developing health and safety management programs, drafting legal policies, providing OSHA counseling, advising on various employment legal matters and assisting with the enterprise risk program.
Blaire is a graduate of the Charlotte School of Law.
Vice President - Membership Cara Group
Cara Group is Senior Legal Counsel at Aspirant, a global management, talent acquisition, and technology consulting firm. Aspirant’s main office is located on the North Shore of Pittsburgh while having a presence across the United States as well as in England and Canada.
She earned her B.A. in history from West Virginia Wesleyan College and her J.D. from the Duquesne University, School of Law.
Vice President - Pro Bono Initiatives - Monica Deoras
Monica is currently a Sr. Corporate Counsel at True Commerce, Inc., a start-up e-commerce company. She has extensive experience providing legal and regulatory guidance to the leadership of a Pittsburgh-based international global energy corporation as well as a mid-sized company and venture-capital- backed software companies, with extensive experience in both domestic and international transactions and compliance. She has negotiated agreements for major construction, infrastructure and sales transactions for nuclear power, other energy and software technology companies in multiple countries, with specific experience in Europe (both Western and Eastern Europe), Asia (China, Japan, India, South Korea and Vietnam), Australia, South Africa and UAE.
She is also very well-versed in compliance matters as she has directed complex compliance initiatives in multiple countries, including anti-corruption, export controls, anti-boycott, sanctions, and antitrust issues. She provided legal guidance and direction on compliance matters to C-suite executives and other key stakeholders. She has drafted policies and procedures, advised and trained employees, led investigations and audits and presented insights to senior managers and the Board into liability and risk assessments relating to compliance matters.
A large portion of her career has been devoted to working with government agencies, and advocacy with both US and international governments. She was appointed as Westinghouse’s representative to US-India Contact Group on International Nuclear Liability established by President Obama and Prime Minister Modi to address nuclear liability issues in India. She also played a lead role in developing a “first-of-a-kind” nuclear suppliers’ code of conduct working with representatives from Canada, China, France, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States and the Carnegie Foundation for International Peace.
Monica is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Pittsburgh Law School where she teaches Negotiation Skills. She is a Office Hours Mentor at Project Olympus at Carnegie Mellon University and a mentor for Aspire 360.
Immediate Past President Nathan Platt
Nathan C. Platt is Vice President, Deputy General Counsel for Liberty Tire Recycling, LLC headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He joined Liberty Tire Recycling’s legal department in 2013 after spending a decade in private practice where he focused on business law, litigation, and general corporate matters. As Deputy General Counsel for Liberty Tire Recycling, Nate is responsible for a diverse range of corporate legal matters which include business contracts, litigation, litigation management, employment law, real estate, acquisitions, business transactions, and general business law matters. In his role as DGC he provides day to day legal support to the company’s operating regions in the US and Canada and provides counsel to Liberty’s regional vice presidents and senior leadership. Prior to law school, Nate worked for IBM’s Technology Division in Burlington, Vermont in a business role. Nate earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the State University of New York at Fredonia, MBA from Clarkson University and Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. During law school Nate served as Editor-In-Chief of the Journal of Technology Law and Policy, was a distinguished finalist in the Murray S. Love Trial Moot Court Competition and worked for the Pittsburgh office of Deloitte & Touch, LLP.
Director Michael Crouse
Michael Crouse serves a Senior Corporate Counsel for Electronics For Imaging, Inc. (EFI), a global technology company that develops technologies for the manufacturing of signage, packaging, textiles, ceramic tiles, and personalized documents. Currently, Michael serves as the primary attorney supporting EFI’s productivity software business division, in addition to providing primary support for EFI’s privacy, IT, real estate, and procurement groups.
Prior to his current role, Michael served in the Legal Department of WESCO Distribution, Inc. for approximately seven years, most recently as Commercial Counsel. During his tenure at WESCO, he provided primary commercial support for a number of WESCO’s business units, in addition to supporting mergers and acquisitions and integration efforts.
Michael is a graduate of the Duquesne University School of Law.
Director Natalie Miller
Natalie Miller is a Senior Corporate Counsel for Clear Channel Outdoor, a leading company in outdoor advertising with a portfolio of over 450,000 displays. Natalie works with Clear Channel’s Real Estate and Operation Teams to negotiate and support acquisitions and new development. She also advises on management of the existing portfolio of displays. Prior to joining Clear Channel, Natalie was a Senior Attorney with Crown Castle and in private practice with Babst Calland specializing in real estate and corporate law. Natalie earned both her J.D. and bachelor’s degrees from Duquesne University.
Director Carl Rychcik
Carl Rychcik is Senior Counsel at 3M Company in the 3M Health Care Business Group. He serves as General Counsel for 3M’s Health Information Systems Division, with responsibility for the United States and Canada. Carl joined 3M approximately 2 years ago as part of its acquisition of local health care information technology company – M*Modal, where he was Director of Legal. Before joining M*Modal, Carl was General Counsel for local, high-tech juvenile products company 4Moms. Prior to that, he was a partner at Fox Rothschild’s Pittsburgh office, where he specialized in commercial litigation and providing outside general counsel assistance for businesses. Carl is a graduate of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.
Director Danielle Salsi
Danielle Salsi is Senior Litigation Counsel for Viatris, a global pharmaceutical company. Danielle has been with Viatris (formally known as Mylan) since 2010 and is responsible for litigation matters including product liability, commercial and antitrust litigation. Danielle has also been responsible for employment litigation and international arbitration. Prior to Viatris, Danielle was a litigator with Meyer Darragh Buckler Bebenek & Eck, PLLC concentrating her practice on medical device and medical malpractice defense litigation. Danielle received her B.A. in Government and Law from Lafayette College and her J.D. from the Duquesne University School of Law.
Director Jamie Spataro
Jamie Spataro is Lead Counsel in FedEx Ground’s Regulatory Law Group where he handles a broad range of regulatory matters including workplace safety and COVID-19/infectious disease compliance, environmental, sustainability, hazardous materials transportation, border and air transportation security. Jamie served as the Co-Chair of FedEx Ground’s Pro Bono Committee, and he co-founded FedEx Ground’s Education Law Project. Jamie also served a two-year term representing FedEx Ground on the Board of the Pittsburgh Pro Bono Partnership. Prior to joining FedEx Ground, Jamie was in private practice handling environmental, products liability and toxic tort defense litigation, while volunteering his time representing protection from abuse clients for Allegheny County’s Neighborhood Legal Services Association. Jamie earned his J.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and his B.A. from Bethany College where he double majored in Political Science/Communications (Interdisciplinary) and Spanish. Jamie is a licensed private pilot and the lead singer and keyboard player for an “esteemed” local band.
Director Kimberly Strohm
Kim Strohm has been Sr. Corporate Counsel for Proofpoint, Inc. since June of 2018 and leads Proofpoint’s east coast legal team in Pittsburgh. Proofpoint is a leading cybersecurity SaaS provider headquartered in Sunnyvale, CA and acquired Wombat in March 2018 which was the start of their Pittsburgh office. Kim began her in house career with American Eagle Outfitters handling general corporate matters, including litigation, labor, employment and intellectual property and prior to Proofpoint worked for Education Management with a focus on contract drafting, negotiating, management of the contracting process along with a focus on data privacy and cyber security. Kim earned her B.S. in Administration & Management Sciences from Carnegie Mellon University and her J. D. from Duquesne University School of Law.
Director Ron Vassel
Ron Vassel is V.P. & Deputy General Counsel for ANSYS, Inc., an S&P 500 company that develops, markets, and supports engineering simulation software. Ron has primary legal oversight responsibility for global commercial matters, government engagement, legal operations, trade compliance, and procurement. He has a B.A., J.D., and M.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh. Ron is on the Board of Pittsburgh Arts & Lectures.
Director Kathryn Zeltwanger
Kathryn Zeltwanger is Deputy General Counsel for the Armstrong Group, headquartered in Butler. She serves as the primary counsel for four of the Armstrong Group’s eight operating divisions, including its largest division providing cable, internet, and telephony services over six states. Kat also has primary responsibility for legal operations, employment matters, and litigation for all of the Armstrong Group companies. Prior to joining Armstrong Group in 2009, Kat clerked for the Court of Common Pleas in Uniontown and worked as an associate attorney at Fox Rothschild’s Pittsburgh office. Kat is a graduate of the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law
