For more than two decades Joann Cyanovich has been an advocate for homeless and underserved populations in the Pittsburgh area. She has an extensive background in human services administration and program development.

Ms. Cyganovich has designed programs that target persons with special needs such as homelessness, mental illness, the disease of addiction, and domestic violence. For the last four years, she held the position of Executive Director for Sisters Place, an agency that provides housing and supportive services to single, homeless mothers and their children. Prior to that she served as the Executive Director to Lydia's Place, where she developed and organized programs to assist women who were incarcerated in the Allegheny County Jail.

In 2001, she was appointed by Allegheny County's Chief Executive, Jim Roddey, to serve on Allegheny County's Drug and Alcohol Planning Council. In 2004 Ms. Cyganovich served as the committee chairperson.

She is currently involved with Allegheny County's Homeless Alliance where she serves on the Advocacy and Continuum of Care committees.