City High In the News
City Charter High School's amazing students, teachers, alumni and Pittsburgh's community partners make a difference everyday. Read about their achievements both in-school and out!
Alumni Spotlight: Thompson Bayliss-Zollars, Class of 2008
August 5, 2026
In the Alumni Highlights series, we have caught up with City High alumni to see what they’ve been up to post-graduation. This installment focuses on Thompson Bayliss-Zollars of City High Class of 2008.
--
A professional headshot of Bayliss-Zollars
Q: What did you think would be your career path when you were a student at City High? How has that changed or stayed the same after graduating high school?
My post-High School interests changed daily. However, after reading Richard Preston’s The Hot Zone, I believed my career path was headed toward studying virology and epidemiology.
Q: Tell us more about your post high school educational experiences!
Following graduation, I entered the University of Pittsburgh through an Army ROTC Scholarship where I began majoring in biology. While in college, I also studied Arabic and Middle Eastern Culture as part of a learning community offered through my university.
In 2009, as part of a simultaneous membership program between the PA National Guard and my ROTC Enrollment, I was sent to Basic Training and then Advanced Individual Training (AIT) where I received my training and certification as an All-Source Intelligence Analyst.
My introduction into the world of Intelligence altered my career trajectory and ultimately laid the groundwork for my professional career. I have served in varying rolls related to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing
Q: What was your internship experience at City High like? How did it inform your college experience and/or career trajectory?
Unfortunately, you can’t allow your 16-17 year old students don a Biosafety Level 4 suit and throw them in a lab with highly infectious diseases. In the absence of a lab, I was placed with a family-run business connected to Heinz Hall which ran a gift shop downtown. While the internship was not flashy, it was valuable. Not only did I have continued employment post-internship, but I also learned about running a small business, accounting, managing inventory, and even made some lifelong friends. All of these skills are transferrable and relevant to this day.
Q: How did City High prepare you for life after high school?
I felt as though I were equipped with the necessary skills to navigate the challenges students face following graduation. That builds resiliency which I find to be a critically important skill.
Q: What do you think was the most important skill that you learned at City High and use in your adult life?
A huge shout out to my advisor Mrs. Schwartz, and my teachers Mrs. Fossum, and Mrs. King who helped nourish and develop my skills in critical thinking, research and analysis, and reporting. These skills are my bread and butter.
Thompson's City High senior photo
Q: Tell us about your current role and organization!
Generally, I am an Anti-Financial Crimes professional which encompasses a large framework of specialized investigative units. I have worked in anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, and anti-human trafficking and smuggling.
More recently, I have moved into a specialized investigative unit focused on serving the most vulnerable of our communities. I am currently a Vulnerable Adult Investigator with JPMorganChase Bank. In my role, I work with victims of Elder/Vulnerable Adult Exploitation, Abuse, and/or Neglect. In my role, I am expected to:
Victim Advocacy. Plain and simple. I am uniquely positioned to be the voice for so many who are unable to speak up or protect themselves. There’s nothing more satisfying than going home knowing you helped save someone in a way that cannot be measured. We encounter some
harrowing stories and to be part of the resolution is so fulfilling.
Q: What advice would you have to someone interested in pursuing a career in your field?
We welcome a diversity of viewpoints and world experience in this profession so if you’re passionate about helping others, conducting investigations, and problem solving then we’ve got a place for you.
Q: City High is big on preparing students for the real world by promoting work-life balance. How do you maintain work-life balance? Where do you find joy in your life outside of work?
I find a lot of joy in spending time with friends and family making memories. Enjoying a night out, traveling the states, or venturing abroad are all ways I look forward to unplugging and decompressing. The key is to find and understand your boundaries while continuing to
honor them.
Q: Can you share some advice for current City High students?
Find your passion. When you’re passionate about what you do then you’re more likely to find both success and happiness.
–
If you are a City High alumni and are interested in being highlighted, you can email napolitan@cityhigh.org.
--
A professional headshot of Bayliss-Zollars
Q: What did you think would be your career path when you were a student at City High? How has that changed or stayed the same after graduating high school?
My post-High School interests changed daily. However, after reading Richard Preston’s The Hot Zone, I believed my career path was headed toward studying virology and epidemiology.
Q: Tell us more about your post high school educational experiences!
Following graduation, I entered the University of Pittsburgh through an Army ROTC Scholarship where I began majoring in biology. While in college, I also studied Arabic and Middle Eastern Culture as part of a learning community offered through my university.
In 2009, as part of a simultaneous membership program between the PA National Guard and my ROTC Enrollment, I was sent to Basic Training and then Advanced Individual Training (AIT) where I received my training and certification as an All-Source Intelligence Analyst.
My introduction into the world of Intelligence altered my career trajectory and ultimately laid the groundwork for my professional career. I have served in varying rolls related to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing
Q: What was your internship experience at City High like? How did it inform your college experience and/or career trajectory?
Unfortunately, you can’t allow your 16-17 year old students don a Biosafety Level 4 suit and throw them in a lab with highly infectious diseases. In the absence of a lab, I was placed with a family-run business connected to Heinz Hall which ran a gift shop downtown. While the internship was not flashy, it was valuable. Not only did I have continued employment post-internship, but I also learned about running a small business, accounting, managing inventory, and even made some lifelong friends. All of these skills are transferrable and relevant to this day.
Q: How did City High prepare you for life after high school?
I felt as though I were equipped with the necessary skills to navigate the challenges students face following graduation. That builds resiliency which I find to be a critically important skill.
Q: What do you think was the most important skill that you learned at City High and use in your adult life?
A huge shout out to my advisor Mrs. Schwartz, and my teachers Mrs. Fossum, and Mrs. King who helped nourish and develop my skills in critical thinking, research and analysis, and reporting. These skills are my bread and butter.
Thompson's City High senior photo
Q: Tell us about your current role and organization!
Generally, I am an Anti-Financial Crimes professional which encompasses a large framework of specialized investigative units. I have worked in anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing, and anti-human trafficking and smuggling.
More recently, I have moved into a specialized investigative unit focused on serving the most vulnerable of our communities. I am currently a Vulnerable Adult Investigator with JPMorganChase Bank. In my role, I work with victims of Elder/Vulnerable Adult Exploitation, Abuse, and/or Neglect. In my role, I am expected to:
- Conduct meaningful and thorough investigations into allegations of exploitation, abuse, and/or neglect and reporting findings to appropriate authorities.
- Work directly with victim(s) to prevent loss/theft, and when loss/theft occurs work to recover losses when possible.
- Address investigation specific risks and develop strategies to prevent further exploitation, abuse, and/or neglect through internal capabilities or through partnerships with external organizations.
- Connect victims with Law Enforcement, Adult Protective Services, State/Federal Agencies and Programs, etc.
- Provide fact-based testimony in both criminal and civil proceedings related to investigations.
Victim Advocacy. Plain and simple. I am uniquely positioned to be the voice for so many who are unable to speak up or protect themselves. There’s nothing more satisfying than going home knowing you helped save someone in a way that cannot be measured. We encounter some
harrowing stories and to be part of the resolution is so fulfilling.
Q: What advice would you have to someone interested in pursuing a career in your field?
We welcome a diversity of viewpoints and world experience in this profession so if you’re passionate about helping others, conducting investigations, and problem solving then we’ve got a place for you.
Q: City High is big on preparing students for the real world by promoting work-life balance. How do you maintain work-life balance? Where do you find joy in your life outside of work?
I find a lot of joy in spending time with friends and family making memories. Enjoying a night out, traveling the states, or venturing abroad are all ways I look forward to unplugging and decompressing. The key is to find and understand your boundaries while continuing to
honor them.
Q: Can you share some advice for current City High students?
Find your passion. When you’re passionate about what you do then you’re more likely to find both success and happiness.
–
If you are a City High alumni and are interested in being highlighted, you can email napolitan@cityhigh.org.
