Our People

Jennifer spent her formative years in rural South Carolina and had the opportunity to work amongst film in college. As a student forming her opinions of the world, she became interested in this...

Nikita is a recent graduate from Queen’s University with a major in sociology, who attended one of Art With Impact’s M4MH events last year while in school. Currently working as a legal assistant in...

Gabriela Bazán is a data analytics consultant from El Salvador but has been living in Chile for the past 6 years. She has a degree in Computer Sciences and a Masters in Public...

Maya is equal parts artist, therapist, and activist, and is so thrilled to get to satisfy all of them while working with Art With Impact. She grew up a third culture kid, being...

Amanda is a contractor for startups in San Francisco. Amanda received her Master’s Degree in Art History from Christie’s Education in London. She started volunteering with Art with Impact because she believes in...

Natalie is the driving force behind Art With Impact Canada and is responsible for facilitation, programming, outreach, fundraising and partner relationships for our programs north of the border. She also engages students and...

Joanna works in accounting at Farallon Capital Management, LLC, a San Francisco based private equity firm. Joanna brings to AWI her experience combining creativity with economic savvy to fuel community development and awareness...

Drawn to the creative and eclectic, Katie powered her way through a B.S. in Computer Science by taking art history classes at UCSB. After a few bouts with engineering companies and living abroad,...

Nolan Golden is a queer, charismatic college student based in sunny California. They have a well-rounded background in leadership and community activism, and have been a mental health and LGBTQ advocate for over...

Cami is a San Francisco-based arts educator with experience in program management, nonprofit consulting and research and data analysis. Cami graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a Bachelors degree in History of Art...

A recent transplant to San Francisco from New York City, Ali began her career working in progressive theater at the Lincoln Center Studios, @45Below, the Culture Project and with Fractured Atlas. She made...

I am a recent college graduate from SDSU. I have worked with children diagnosed with autism for a little under 2 years and have a great interest in the population. I am currently...

Paula is passionate about mental health and is delighted to be furthering Art With Impact’s mission through strategic grant writing. With over 16 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Paula brings a...

From a young age, arts education has helped Tia develop a sense of lifelong learning, along with museum positions and volunteering. Her monotone voice might catch you off guard or imply otherwise, but...

Morgan is a practicing social worker and aspiring journalist who is passionate about activism and systemic oppression. She is a lover of live music, dancing and artistic expression. Morgan decided to partner with...

I’m a pharmacy graduate with a love for the arts: from playing the alto saxophone to improv to card-crafting. I may not be the best at any of them but I certainly enjoy...

Jennifer comes to Art With Impact with a deep appreciation of mental illness, along with a passion to help others and make a positive impact on the world.  She hopes that by marketing...

Christopher is a senior at Claremont McKenna College, hoping to pursue a career in policy work following the completion of his undergraduate studies. As evidenced by his dual majors—Philosophy & Public Affairs, and...

Jesse Jimenez is currently going into his sophomore year at NYU, where he majors in Applied Psychology and Global Public Health. He previously lived in Mission Viejo, California with his parents, three siblings,...

Matthew interned at Art With Impact during the summer of 2011. Thank you, Matt for your hard work, mad biking skills and unfailingly positive attitude! Matthew is, like most folks here in San...

Esther worked at Art With Impact during our very first days… the winter of 2011 before we lost her to Los Angeles. Thank you, Esther for all your fabulous writing skills, your competence...

Aurora currently studies Latin American/Latino Studies, with a focus on Media Studies, at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She is an active member of the UCSC Fashion Team and has enjoyed leading...

Abbie Kopf is a writer, editor and nonprofit consultant who has worked for some of the nation’s finest arts, social justice and education organizations. She is exceptionally passionate about cause-based communications, because a...

Stephanie Landes is a recent college graduate that is in her first year working. She has loved art as long as she can remember. She is interested in entering the field of art therapy because she believes...

Lori has intimate experience with mental illness and is passionate about stigma reduction. Her message is simple. Everyone has mental health and the focus needs to be more on preventative action to stay...

Laurie McFarlane is an organizer, relationship builder and fundraiser with a passion for arts programming and social services. She is responsible for helping AWI with communication, outreach and fundraising efforts to support inspiring...

Carl McQueen is a Saint Louis, Mo based data scientist for a major financial institution. He has an Information Systems degree from Calvin College in Michigan and a passion for problem solving inside...

Aidett has spent the last ten years of her career in the non-profit sector serving diverse groups throughout California and Hawaii. She is passionate about working with and advocating for underserved populations and...

Jen is a recent graduate of UC Santa Cruz with a double major in Psychology and Philosophy, and a heavy concentration in indoor and beach volleyball. She currently provides technical support at Demandforce,...

Laura brings over twenty-five years of experience in non-profit program management and fund development and her wry sense of humor to the Art With Impact team. Her experience ranges from serving as the...

Erin’s passion for helping others in the non-profit world drew her to Art With Impact. She found herself connecting with AWI’s mission and vision as a way to continue her journey in helping...

Helena is an educator and social advocate, who has been involved with grassroots work for over 10 years. Her long-term passion for human rights has drawn her to the heart of many conflicts...

My name is Neha and I am a BAS student at the University of Guelph. My minors, Psychology and Neuroscience, involve using both arts and science to better understand issues in society. I...

Cleo recently graduated from Stanford University with a B.A. with Honors in English. She is from New Haven, CT but will be staying in the Bay Area to complete her Master’s in English...

Lisa Pan recently graduated from University of San Diego School of Law with a concentration in International Law. Her experience with nonprofit organizations focuses on international justice and human rights issues. She is...

Vandana specializes in creating and implementing scalable models for social impact and organizational growth. In her current engagement with Sutter Health-Palo Alto Medical Foundation’s Innovation Center, Vandana leads strategy, program deployment, operations and...

Gayle Pazerski is Pittsburgh, PA-based writer, actor, and teaching artist who holds and a BFA in acting from the University of Kentucky and studied in the MFA acting program at Rutgers University. Her...

Amanda is committed to helping children and youth with a mental health diagnosis recognize their potential and the tremendous impact that the arts can have on their lives. With her background in Psychology,...

After earning a BA in Early Childhood Psychology and Education from Tulane University and attending UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health, Jennifer Pliner worked in tech sales for 12 years. She has recently...

David is a nonprofit professional with a passion for education equity and boiled peanuts. Graduating from the University of Florida with a degree in English-Film/Media Studies, he spends most of his off hours...

Caroline Rhoads has two favorite quotes: “Until further notice, celebrate everything” and “comedy equals truth plus spontaneity.” She has resided in the city of brotherly love (Philly) for over 8 years and has...

Eric is a yoga teacher and the Founder & Chairman of ForWorld Thinking, a nonprofit organization aimed at promoting cultural exchange through international volunteerism and supporting local initiatives in developing countries. He has...

Katherine’s passion is empowering mental health non-profits to thrive with greater abundance and efficiency: “helping great people do great things.” She brings 15 years of financial and organizational expertise from a variety of...

Always active in social issues, as well as the Bay Area’s art and film communities, Jennifer has been involved with many small start-ups and co-ops and understands the need to create cohesion between...

Pooja Shah is a junior in Mission San Jose High School in Fremont, CA. An avid musician, Pooja has been playing the violin and piano for over 10 years. When she is not...

As a Public Health Major and Gender and Women Studies Minor third year student at the University of California, Berkeley, Summer is interested in how our multi-faceted society influences health and vice versa....

Iqvinder is a seasoned veteran in market planning and creative solutions.  He has served some of the biggest retailers in the country providing solutions in marketing, creative strategy, project management, and process improvement....

Alanna completed her BA Honours in English, Sociology, and Psychology at the University of Guelph. During this time she volunteered at The Homewood Health Centre for mental health and addiction; assisting in the...

Sherry is a digital media technology executive, a film arts enthusiast and arts education advocate. While completing her master’s degree in Arts Education from San Francisco State’s Creative Arts School, she joined the...

Josh Thompson-Persaud is a fourth year student at Western University taking an Honours Specialization in Creative Writing and English Language and Literature alongside the School for Advanced Studies in the Arts and Humanities...

Eryn Tonaj’s mental health story starts when she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 22. Through her journey, she learned the power self-resilience, emotional awareness and family support. These were...

Hawa is a public health professional with experience working with projects in academic and nonprofit settings. She was born in Tanzania and raised in the Middle East. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from...

Kareem worked with Art With Impact in winter and spring, 2011. Thank you, Kareem for all the incredible camerawork, outreach, editing, good humor and fun! Kareem experienced his early artistic endeavors as a...

Megan Young is a senior at the University of Cal State, San Marcos working towards a baccalaureate in Psychology with an emphasis on mental and physical health. She is a part of multiple...

Miinkay hails from Houston, Texas and brings southern hospitality everywhere she goes. She is a bike enthusiast, yoga instructor and lover of the outdoors. Her journey to better mental health began by getting...