I am a nonprofit leader working in philanthropy, arts and culture, and higher education.
Advancing civic life, service, and innovation
Within the fields of philanthropy, arts and culture, and higher education, my focus is on advancing civic life, service, and innovation in the United States. I do this by integrating cross-sector cultural programming and dynamic communications strategies.
I work with world class artists and thinkers — including Elizabeth Alexander, Jon Batiste, Lil Buck, Renée Fleming, JR, Yo-Yo Ma, Michael Sandel, Anna Deavere Smith, and Ai Weiwei — as well as with vibrant grassroots organizations across the country in Tribal, rural, suburban, and urban communities.
Forging strategic partnerships, designing dynamic programs, and cultivating results-oriented teams, I build sturdy relationships and deep trust with stakeholders. Every day, I see arts and culture driving social cooperation, civic engagement, and equitable community development, and it keeps me hopeful about the future.
I work with world class artists and thinkers — including Elizabeth Alexander, Jon Batiste, Lil Buck, Renée Fleming, JR, Yo-Yo Ma, Michael Sandel, Anna Deavere Smith, and Ai Weiwei — as well as with vibrant grassroots organizations across the country in Tribal, rural, suburban, and urban communities.
Forging strategic partnerships, designing dynamic programs, and cultivating results-oriented teams, I build sturdy relationships and deep trust with stakeholders. Every day, I see arts and culture driving social cooperation, civic engagement, and equitable community development, and it keeps me hopeful about the future.
Executive leadership team at ArtPlace America
ArtPlace America was a ten-year, $150 million collaboration among a number of foundations, federal agencies, and financial institutions that operated from 2010 to 2020. ArtPlace's mission was to position arts and culture as a core sector of equitable community planning and development. As director of communications, I led the organization’s movement building work in the field of creative placemaking, and its strategic communications to advance a national network of practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and funders.
Manager of the Aspen Institute Arts Program
From 2013 to 2016, my team and I brought together leading voices from a variety of sectors, including arts, philanthropy, government, business, and education with the purpose of accelerating artist-driven social change, service, and innovation in the United States. We presented over 500 speakers in 130 events — including panels, roundtables, strategy groups, conferences, film screenings, exhibitions, performances, and education initiatives — to advance public discourse and the free exchange of ideas.
Teacher at The New School
I teach graduate students in the Arts Management and Entrepreneurship program at The New School’s College of Performing Arts.
Originally from the Twin Cities, Minnesota, I started my career working at McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul and Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. I am a founding member of Vital Little Plans, an artist collective and giving circle.
Learn more about my work and background.
Originally from the Twin Cities, Minnesota, I started my career working at McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul and Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. I am a founding member of Vital Little Plans, an artist collective and giving circle.
Learn more about my work and background.
Photo credit: Michael Palma Mir for Sugar Hill Children's Museum of Art & Storytelling