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26 Years of Advocacy Staff Board of Directors Funders 25th Anniversary Video |
 Ra Joy, Executive Director Ra Joy is an artist and arts advocate with extensive experience in public policy and the congressional arena. As executive director for one of the premier statewide advocacy organization's in the nation, Mr. Joy oversees research, capacity building and communication efforts to advance widespread support for the arts and arts education in Illinois. Prior to joining the Illinois Arts Alliance, Mr. Joy served for six years as a senior staffer for U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-9). Motivated by the belief that democracy is a verb and the instinct to be creative is universal, Mr. Joy serves as Chair of the Evanston Ethic Arts Festival and is a member of the board of directors for Mikva Challenge. He was selected as a fellow for the 2005 class of Leadership Greater Chicago and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Southern Illinois University. Born and raised in Evanston, Illinois he currently resides in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood with his wife, Falona, and their three sons. Julie E. Adrianopoli, Director of Strategic Initiatives Julie Adrianopoli provides resources critical to the success of arts educators and administrators and research that informs the public policy agenda of the Illinois Arts Alliance/Foundation. Julie heads-up the new Illinois Creates Arts Education Resource Initiative, which includes the development of a Guidebook and new section on IAA's website to provide school districts and community arts organizations with the tools, resources and action plans they need to bring arts education back into the core curriculum. Prior to her arrival in Chicago in November 2003, she was Director of Programs and Services for the Community Partnership for Arts and Culture (The Partnership), a regional service organization for Northeast Ohio's arts industry. During her three years at The Partnership, Julie was responsible for research and capacity building programs. She also managed public policy efforts for the organization, including coordinating Cleveland's Arts and Cultural Summit and assisting arts organizations with local legislation and regulations. Before coming to The Partnership, Julie worked as a business analyst for Ernst & Young, gaining experience in project management, strategy development and technology implementation. Julie received a B.S.B.A. in Marketing from John Carroll University. She also holds an MBA with a concentration in Organizational Development and Non-profit Management from Case Western Reserve University.
Lakisha Barbee is responsible for the financial accounting and reporting, accounts payable/receivable, and human resources management at the IAA. Bringing a wealth of experience in both the business and artistic arenas to the position, she holds a BA in Human Services and Behavioral Science from National Louis University. Her business skills were honed on the front lines working for six years in the Chicago Public School System administrative department and for seven years as a legal office manager/paralegal in the law offices of Shaffner, Rabinowitz & Feinartz, P.C. and Lawyers Committee for Better Housing. Lakisha has successfully implemented her vision for how the business operations of an organization can support and strengthen its artistic mission while working as the financial and program director of their youth program "Voices," which helps inner-city youths channel anger through creative writing, and in her consulting work for After-School Matters. Lisa May Simpson, Program Director Lisa May Simpson oversees and develops IAA's capacity building and professional development programs, including the biennial One State: Together in the Arts conference, the Local Arts Network, Peer Coaching Circles, Mentor Connection Service and Arts Leadership for the 21st Century programs. She joined the IAA staff in 2000 and has served in a number of capacities at the organization, including two and a half years in membership and development. Prior to joining the Alliance, Lisa served as a counselor for the Feminist Women's Health Center in Renton, Washington. She holds a BA in Theater from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington, and continues to work as an actor in Chicago, where she has performed with Lookingglass Theatre Company, The Hypocrites, the Neo-Futurists, and BlindFaith Theatre. Lisa has served on the boards of Creating Pride, an arts education organization, and The Hypocrites theater company. She is currently a member of the board of directors of Chicago Health Connection. Scarlett Swerdlow, Communications Coordinator Scarlett Swerdlow assists in all aspects of the Alliance's communications - from membership engagement to public relations and marketing. Scarlett's mission is to keep stakeholders informed of IAA initiatives and relevant policy developments. Prior to 2008, when Scarlett joined the IAA team, she lived and worked in Washington, DC. From 2004 to 2006, Scarlett served as executive director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, one of the largest student-based advocacy organizations in the country. From 2006 up until her move to Chicago, Scarlett worked with a number of nonprofits as a consultant, assisting with the development of new issue campaigns. Scarlett studied history at the University of California at Berkeley and earned a B.A. after graduating with honors. Alixa Garcia and Naima Penniman of the spoken-word duo Climbing PoeTree piqued Scarlett's interest in and commitment to the arts. During one of their performances, Scarlett realized the unique power of the arts to inspire positive personal and social change. Sharon Tulos, Membership & Development Director Sharon Tulos joined the Illinois Arts Alliance as Membership & Development Director in January 2008. Sharon possesses more than seven years of experience in comprehensive nonprofit development operations. Most recently, Sharon served DePaul University for three years as an Assistant Director in Corporate Relations as well as Annual and Special Giving. Prior to that, Sharon served as a Development Associate at Lakeview Pantry, Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago and a Communications Assistant at TASC, Inc. of Illinois. Sharon has a M.S. in Public Services Management from DePaul University and a B.A. from Michigan State University.
Illinois Arts Alliance/Foundation |
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