Elly Sheykhet was born in Ivanovo, Russia, and spent her childhood alongside her parents and two brothers. After finding love and marrying her husband, Yan, they moved to the United States in 2000 with their two beautiful children, Artem and Alina. The Sheykhets joined Yan’s family in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, upon their arrival to the states. Elly officially evaluated her Russian Master’s degree in economics in 2003 and then obtained her Associate’s degree in accounting at Pittsburgh’s ICM School of Business. After many years working in Accounting, Elly’s passion for travel has allowed her to thrive in her new career as a Travel Agent.

Elly cherishes the time she spends with family and is a proud grandmother to Artem’s daughter, Angelina. Elly serves as vice president of Alina’s Light along with her husband, Yan, the president of our organization. Alina’s Light is very dear to the Sheykhets and is often referred to by Elly as “her child.” Elly is a published author and serves as a Certified Grief Coach; she has dedicated her life to honoring her daughter by helping others. She hopes to brighten the world in Alina’s memory.

Jill is a Pittsburgh native and a proud mother to three beautiful daughters, and board member of Alina’s Light. In addition to her commitment to our organization, Jill served as VP of Montour Dance Team and has been on the board for all her girls’ musical and dance productions. She has used her position to involve the team in many of our Alina’s Light fundraisers.

With all her daughters involved in dance and musical theatre, she cherishes one of our core missions in supporting the arts that Alina loved so much. Jill looks forward to helping others and spreading love, just as Alina spent her life doing. We are so grateful for her passion and excitement.

Taylor Bobak, a proud Pittsburgh native, and high school friend of Alina’s, proudly serves on the Alina’s Light Board. Taylor is a Robert Morris University graduate where after four years, she successfully obtained her undergraduate degree in management and her MBA with a focus in project management. She hopes to utilize her professional and academic experiences to help further Alina’s Light and the mission.

Besides serving on the board, she also operates her own photography business, volunteers for other nonprofits, and waitresses at a local restaurant. In her free-time she loves trying new things – whether it be through food or experiences. Taylor believes that carrying yourself with pure intentions, cultivating comfort and helping others to the best of your abilities is something that anyone can and should strive to do, for it will give you the most rewarding life. She not only plans to continue to uphold this ideology throughout her time with Alina’s Light but also by working to serve the communities she especially cares for- the advancement of women and children.

Becca Kubiczki, Pittsburgh native, serves as a Board Member. She is a Pitt graduate and one of Alina’s most cherished college friends.

Becca has been a guiding force for Alina’s Light, pouring her extensive writing talents into many projects over the years and she recently proudly joined our Board of Directors!

When she isn’t advocating for a world without domestic violence, she enjoys working out and spending time with her friends. She loves animals and coming up with creative ways to support our mission and spread awareness.

Those precious college years spent as Alina’s roommate have fueled Becca’s passion and dedication to our mission.

Nick Amrhein is a Pittsburgh native and an energetic educator. He is a 2020 Point Park University graduate and is employed as a substitute in the Baldwin-Whitehall School District.

In Nick’s time away from Alina’s Light he enjoys anything that concerns history and watching the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nick is a baseball coach at South Fayette and is a former Pittsburgh Pirate bat boy. Nick was close friends with Alina during high school and college and cherishes their memories together. He serves as a board member and is always around to lend a helping hand!

Sasha Phillips is a lawyer, an artist, and a mother of four. Native of Moscow, Russia, who was initially trained in classic arts. While in art school, she led several initiatives which provided art therapy and creative engagement for local community. Sasha participated in various national and international juried art shows and taught numerous art and wellness classes.

After becoming a lawyer, Sasha took her commitment to women’s issues into the legal realm while continuing to promote art wellness to cope with the stress of fast-paced high pressure profession and to teach these skills to others. She is serving Alina’s Light by curating Alina’s Dolls project designed as a memorial to victims of domestic violence and a healing platform for their families.

Anna Bauman is a Pittsburgh-based portrait photographer, a wife, and a dedicated mother to an energetic toddler. Anna’s the one behind our social media presence, keeping things updated and organized.

Alongside Taylor Bobak, Anna captures the moments that matter at Alina’s Light, telling our story through photos and posts. As someone who’s seen the impact of domestic abuse firsthand, this cause is personal for Anna. She’s here to help us spread the word, support more people, and make a real difference in our community.

Anna’s fresh on the team, and with her on board we’re excited to expand our reach and help even more people through our work.