Irene’s Dream Luncheon & Boutique Shopping

Irene’s Dream Luncheon & Boutique Shopping, a celebratory luncheon, provides an uplifting opportunity to hear triumphant stories of single minority mothers, who may ordinarily have “fallen through the cracks”.They have overcome obstacles and reached potentials that would not have been achievable without a helping hand.

On Saturday, April 26, 2025, influential women who are professionals, community leaders and philanthropic donors, supported the event, held at the DoubleTree Hotel - Greentree, because of their commitment to making dreams come true for single mothers. Attendees were compelled by their stories and inspired by their successes making the 2025 event one of the most successful in 17 years.

The Honorary Chair was Quianna Wasler, who serves as the Chief Housing Officer at the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), bringing over 15 years of experience as an economic development professional dedicated to housing stability and the equitable development of neighborhoods. Prior to her current role at the URA, Ms. Wasler held the position of Development Director at Beacon Communities, where she managed projects involving multi-family developments funded by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit in various Northeastern cities, including Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Columbus, Ohio; and Boston, Massachusetts. During this period, she was instrumental in the development of assets exceeding $150 million dollars. Previously, Ms. Wasler functioned as the Manager of Business and Commercial Real Estate Financing at the URA. Over the course of 13 years in that role, she oversaw commercial lending programs, managed loan portfolios, led commercial and residential façade renovation initiatives, and supervised departmental personnel. During her initial tenure at the URA, she successfully produced over 400 grants and loans to support small businesses and residents throughout the City of Pittsburgh.

Currently, Ms. Wasler oversees a team of 20 staff members who administer 12 distinct affordable housing programs tailored for Pittsburgh residents and real estate developers. Under her leadership in 2024, her team facilitated over $26 million in financial investments, resulting in the creation or preservation of 664 affordable housing units across the city. Her team also provided financial assistance for 112 new affordable home purchases, assisted at least 1,300 individuals with housing-related legal assistance, and more. Overall, Ms. Wasler’s leadership and her team’s unwavering dedication have significantly impacted the availability of affordable housing in Pittsburgh, fostering stability and equitable community growth across the city. Ms. Wasler is also a past recipient of a Bartko Foundation grant.

Pictures from 2025 Luncheon