Meet the team driving change
Our staff
Julie Baker
Chief Executive Officer | julie@caforthearts.org
Tracy Hudak
Director of Field Engagement | tracy@caforthearts.org
NeFesha Yisra'el
Director of Programs | nefesha@caforthearts.org
Eduardo Robles
Senior Manager of Communications | eduardo@caforthearts.org
Teri Ball
RAIN Project Manager | teri@caforthearts.org
L.T. Martinez
Executive Assistant | assistant@caforthearts.org
Jean Young
Communications Coordinator | jean@caforthearts.org
Jennica Bisbee
Field Engagement Coordinator | jennica@caforthearts.org
Board members
Felicia Shaw, CA for the Arts, President
Executive Director of the San Diego Regional Arts and Culture Coalition
Jonathon Glus, CA for the Arts, Vice President
Executive Director, City of San Diego Commission on Arts and Culture
Cara Goger, CA for the Arts, Secretary
Executive Director, Mariposa County Arts Council
Nurit Siegel Smith, CA for the Arts, Treasurer
Executive Director, Music Forward Foundation
Jennifer Laine, CA Arts Advocates, President
Executive Director, San Benito Arts Council
Josiah Bruny, CA Arts Advocates, Vice President
CEO, Music Changing Lives
Sean Fenton, CA Arts Advocates, Secretary
Executive Director, Theatre Bay Area
Edmund Velasco, CA Arts Advocates, Treasurer
Vice-President, Local 7 Musicians’ Union
Leticia Rhi Buckley
CEO, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
Heather Angelina Dunn
Partner, DLA Piper LLP US, California Lawyers for the Arts
Rafael González
CEO & President, Grand Performances
Maria Jenson
Creative and Executive Director, SOMArts Cultural Center
Lyz Luke
Executive Director, Living Jazz
Tamaira “Miss Tee” Sandifer
CEO and Founder, Studio T Arts & Entertainment / Studio T Urban Arts Academy
Usha Srinivasan
Co-Founder, Mosaic America
Megan Van Voorhis
Director of Convention & Cultural Services, City of Sacramento
Alejandro Gutierrez Chavez
Executive Director, Arts Connection- The Arts Council of San Bernardino County
Alonso Escobar
Arts Advocacy and Policy Director, Mono Arts Council
Bob Lehman
Executive Director, San Diego Museum Council
Marisa DeLuca
President, Artists in Solidarity / Arts Commissioner, City of Oceanside
Marleena Barber
Director, Orange County Arts and Disability / VAPA Consultant , Orange County Department of Education
Michelle Amador
CA Established Artist Fellow, Self-Employed / Director of Development, Mark Morris Dance Group
Natalie Johnson
Founder, Web3 Uncut LLC (self-employed) / Co-Founder, Corner Store Co-Op
Shayla James
Director, San Diego Creative Youth Development Network
MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES
We see artists and creatives as an integral part of our society, economy, and communities
We’re working to advance the careers of artists, creatives, and culture workers. Because when they’re involved, bottom lines are boosted, property values increase, and communities are changed for the better.