STAFF
Emily Roan
General Manager
Emily made the move to Pittsburgh in 2019 from Central Pennsylvania, where she was born and raised but also completed her Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management (Fitness concentration with a Business minor) at Lock Haven University. While in Lock Haven, she gained extensive hands-on experience in the fitness industry—working as a personal trainer and group exercise instructor across town and playing a key role on several facilities and operations teams.
After graduation, Emily transitioned into Campus Recreation, managing many large-scale recreation facilities at both Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh’s main campuses. During her time at Pitt, she also earned her Master’s degree in Education with a focus in Leadership Development Studies. Seeking a broader range of fitness industry experience, Emily stepped into the commercial recreation world, where she managed operations at FA Climbing & Fitness.
Her passion for movement runs deep—she was a powerlifter in college, has been a climber on and off over the years, enjoys biking along rails to trails systems, kayaking, and taking her two dogs on hikes. Emily has since explored countless training modalities throughout her work as a fitness professional for over 10 years!
No matter the setting, she brings energy, knowledge, passion, and a people-first approach to everything she does. She’s excited to work with clients of all backgrounds and help them reach their healthy lifestyle goals!
Email: emily@unionfitness.com
Ashley Bell
Personal Training and Community Engagement Coordinator
Ashley is a passionate health and fitness professional from Hadley, Pennsylvania, now based in Pittsburgh. She holds a degree in Exercise Science with a Business minor from Lock Haven University and completed a year of service with the American Heart Association and AmeriCorps, focusing on community health initiatives. Ashley began her fitness career in college as a certified personal trainer and has since gained experience with diverse clients and in clinical cardiopulmonary rehab. Her training philosophy centers on empowering individuals of all backgrounds to feel strong and confident through strength, mobility, and cardiovascular training. She is excited to build community partners and train at UF!
Email: ashley@unionfitness.com
Tristan Hillebert
Head Personal Trainer
Tristan is originally from Topeka, KS but has been in the Pittsburgh area since 2019. His passion for strength and conditioning stems from a long career in hockey. He graduated from Chatham University with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Nutrition while competing on the Men’s Ice Hockey Team all four years. Before joining the Union Fitness team, he was a strength coach at Shape Training in East Liberty where he compiled over 3,000 one-on-one and semi-private training sessions. Bridging fitness with nutrition, he also works with Commonwealth Nutrition in the North Hills. He is still involved with the hockey community and is dedicated to helping people achieve athletic goals, live a healthy lifestyle, and anything in between.
Email: thillebert@unionfitness.com
COACHES
Rachael Riddell
Katelyn Jones
Meech Butler
Lauren Sweetnich
Charles Jasper (CJ)
MASSAGE THERAPISTS
Sarah Paladin
Sarah has 18+ years of expertise in massage therapy and is a graduate of the Pittsburgh School of Massage. She has continued expanding her skills, earning certifications in a variety of techniques, including pregnancy massage, lymphatic drainage, Thai massage, cupping, Lomi Lomi, and sports massage.
Beyond her extensive massage experience, Sarah holds a Level 1 USAW certification, boasts a decade of competitive obstacle course racing, and currently plays as a running back for the Pittsburgh Passion.