Our Team | Arts For Learning Miami

Our Team | Arts For Learning Miami
Meet Our Staff, Board & Artists
A4L Staff
Executive Director
Sheila@A4Lmiami.org
Sheila Womble
Ms. Womble is a Miami native and passionate arts leader with more than 20 years of experience. She excels at team building, managing change, strategic planning, and fundraising. Her vibrant approach to all tasks and thoughtful analysis of opportunities helped her drive a significant period of growth and transition at Arts for Learning, increasing the annual budget by more than 55% in one year as a result of program expansions and evaluation initiatives. Under her leadership, Arts for Learning developed programs to serve children and youth from infancy through high school, providing Miami’s youth more opportunities to grow up with the arts.
Prior to helping establish and lead Arts for Learning, she managed a private art collection and handled artist and community relations and marketing services for ArtCenter/South Florida (now Oolite Arts). She studied at the Institute for American Studies in Aix-en-Provence, France and holds a degree in Art History & Anthropology from the University of Miami. When not advocating on behalf of children and the arts, she can be found dancing in her kitchen, telling the same joke repeatedly to her son, or picking up the fallen mangoes in her yard.
Sheila Womble
Executive Director
Finance & Operations Director
Sidra@A4Lmiami.org
Sidra Mattson Urbom
Ms. Mattson joined Arts for Learning in January 2004. She holds a BS degree in Systems Analysis from the University of Miami’s School of Business, where she graduated with honors. She quickly became a key part of Arts for Learning’s executive management team as she rose through the positions of Administrative Coordinator, Business Manager, and then Finance Director. She believes in the connections between music and math and that her childhood training in piano, choir, and violin are serving her well in her career.
Sidra Mattson Urbom
Finance & Operations Director
Finance Manager
Damaris@A4Lmiami.org
Damaris Suarez
Damaris
Suarez joined Arts for Learning in April, 2016. She holds an
AS
in Hospitality Management from Formatur and an Entertainment & Customer Service Management diploma from Sandals Resorts International. She has more than
25
years of experience in the operations/administration
management
fields. While working in hospitality, she was in charge of several cultural galas, exhibitions, concerts and visits to sites of artistic and/or historic interest, oriented to
connect with the community
, create awareness and increase revenues. As a volunteer, she created and participated in initiatives to help build and restore houses in impoverished neighborhoods in Cuba, Jamaica and Saint Martin and also created family and children oriented activities in these communities. While working in the TV/Media industry in Miami for more than 4 years, she held administration and business development management positions, servicing prestigious networks such as Telemundo, Univision and Discovery en Español.
Working with Arts for Learning Miami has been a passionate journey, witnessing and enjoying the valued camaraderie between our staff, teaching artists, partners, and the communities we serve. She enjoys spending good quality time with family and friends, most nature related activities, traveling, and a good cup of coffee.
Damaris Suarez
Finance Manager
Human Resources Manager
Raul@A4Lmiami.org
Raúl E. Santiago-Lugo
Raúl E. Santiago-Lugo is A4L’s Human Resources Manager with over seven years of experience supporting mission-driven organizations. In his role, he leads talent development, processes improvements, and compliance initiatives that strengthen workforce engagement within arts education programming. He leverages HRIS systems to streamline operations, enhance employee experience, and ensure regulatory compliance. Raúl holds a Master of Science in Human Resources Management and is passionate about building people-centered systems that empower Teaching Artists and advance access to the arts.
Beyond his professional work, Raúl is deeply passionate about music and media, with a particular appreciation for high-quality audio and live performances. A self-described audiophile, he enjoys exploring sound, discovering new artists, and experiencing the energy of concerts and cultural events. He is also committed to supporting animals and strengthening the community, values that align closely with his dedication to service and impact-driven work.
Raúl E. Santiago-Lugo
Human Resources Manager
Operations Manager
Rosana Gutierrez
Rosana Gutierrez is a Cuban-American, first-generation University of Florida graduate with a passion for using creativity to empower children and teens. Raised in a household deeply rooted in the arts—her mother a Cuban-trained artist—Rosana was encouraged from a young age to explore her creative side, studying piano throughout late elementary, middle, and high school. Her background in Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) led her to undertake a teaching assistantship in Madrid, Spain, where she taught English, Science, and Arts lessons for K–6th-grade students. Upon returning to the U.S., she applied her cross-cultural communication and global education perspective to help strengthen the operations of a small cross-cultural training firm. Shaped by a lifelong appreciation for the transformative power of the arts in multicultural settings, Rosana joined Arts for Learning/Miami in May 2025. In her role, she helps streamline internal systems and support the educators and teaching artists who bring arts programming to life across South Florida. When she’s not supporting A4L’s mission, Rosana enjoys baking, spending time with loved ones, and playing with her cats.
Rosana Gutierrez
Operations Manager
Development Director
lauram@a4lmiami.org
Laura Marsh
Ms. Marsh (b. 1982, Binghamton, NY) is a Yale School of Art–trained artist and cultural development professional whose career connects contemporary art, social advocacy, and strategic fundraising. She received her MFA from Yale University School of Art and her BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art. With more than 17 years of experience in development, programming, and fundraising, Marsh brings creative vision, narrative fluency, and a deep understanding of how impact stories build meaningful donor and artist relationships. She has worked in program and development roles at Oolite Arts, Art and Culture Center/Hollywood, and Young At Art Museum. Beginning as a Teaching Artist with Arts for Learning, she champions Miami artists as vital voices in national cultural dialogue and now advances initiatives that strengthen artist pathways, community partnerships, and sustainable support for the arts.
Working in textiles, banners, and fiber-based installations, Marsh transforms language into visual form, merging craft, wordsmithing, and contemporary social discourse. Her artistic practice deepens her ability to translate mission into message, engage audiences emotionally, and shape narratives that inspire investment in creative and educational work. She has exhibited at Locust Projects, Deering Estate, and the Whitney Museum of American Art, among other venues. Her work is held in prominent private collections, and she is represented by Dot Fiftyone Gallery in Miami. When not immersed in the arts, she’s at the beach building sandcastles with her daughter, Sofi, and husband, Walter.
Laura Marsh
Development Director
Communications Director
Carolina@A4Lmiami.org
Carolina Candelaria
Carolina Candelaria joined the A4L team in 2013. She holds an AA in English Literature from the Honors College at Miami Dade College, and a BFA in Drawing from Florida International University. She began work as an intern at Viernes Culturales/Cultural Fridays, Inc. while at FIU, and continued to become the festival’s Artist Coordinator & Curator of the Viernes Culturales Gallery. Later, she served as Executive Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director of Miami Dade College’s Museum of Art + Design, housed in the National Historic Landmark Freedom Tower in Downtown Miami.
Carolina Candelaria
Communications Director
Artist Services Director
Carlos@A4Lmiami.org
Carlos Noguera
Carlos Noguera brings over 15 years of experience in arts education across public, private, and international school settings. He first joined Arts for Learning Miami in 2013 as a Teaching Artist and now serves as Artist Services Director.
In this role, Carlos leads the cultivation and support of A4L’s Teaching Artist community, working to ensure high-quality, impactful residencies across Miami-Dade. He is committed to positioning A4L as the leading hub for outstanding teaching artists in South Florida—where artistic excellence and strong pedagogy meet meaningful community engagement.
Carlos holds a BFA in Art Education from Tufts University and an Ed.M. in Arts in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. His career has spanned Boston, Miami, Seoul, and Abu Dhabi, where he has led arts programs, taught media and film studies, and worked at the intersection of arts and service learning.
He believes the arts are essential to developing creative confidence, critical thinking, and social-emotional growth in young people.
Outside of work, Carlos enjoys cycling in Key Biscayne and spending time with his wife and daughters.
Carlos Noguera
Artist Services Director
Senior Program Director
Dia@A4Lmiami.org
Dia Carter Webb
Dia Carter Webb earned a BA degree in Fine Arts from the University of Florida and a Masters of Science in Art Education from Florida International University. Mrs. Carter Webb joined Arts for Learning in 2004, after 16 years of teaching in the Miami-Dade County Public School system at both the elementary and middle school levels. During six of these years, Mrs. Carter Webb taught at the School of Choice Expressive Arts Program at Charles R. Drew Elementary School. Mrs. Carter Webb was an early adopter of Arts for Learning’s GET smART program and is experienced in integrating the arts with core subjects, incorporating various pedagogies, enhancing instructional performance through partnering with diverse community resources, and providing professional development for classroom teachers. She has directed A4L’s early childhood program since 2007, and is highly skilled in inclusion strategies. She currently serves on Miami-Dade County’s All Kids Included Steering Committee.
Dia Carter Webb
Senior Program Director
Program Director
Ivy@A4Lmiami.org
Ivy S. Bennett
Ms. Bennett received a BS degree in Economics from Florida State University in May of 2004. She first joined Arts for Learning as a Dance Teaching Artist in 2004, and now holds the position of Program Director. Ms. Bennett worked as a professional dancer and choreographer for many years, having found a passion for movement, performance and the choreographic process. As a Teaching Artist, she shared her artistry with both children and adults of all ages. She formerly served as a Guardian ad Litem in Broward County, where she advocated for the best interest of Florida’s abused and neglected children. She has volunteered as a mentor to young girls at Girl Power, a non-profit organization in Miami-Dade County. She has also served as the Vice-Chairperson of Miami Gardens Progressive Young Adults, a subcommittee of the City Council that represents the interest of young adults in the City of Miami Gardens. In 2015, Ms. Bennett participated in Young Audiences Emerging Leadership Institute (ELI), an intensive professional development program for individuals who are committed to strengthening their skills and competencies in order to become transformational leaders in the arts-in-education field. Through her work as a Program Director, she has developed a passion for working with teens and helping them to discover their fullest potential. Ms. Bennett gets to continue this mission by leading Arts for Learning’s teen internship initiatives, the ArtWorks Internship Program and the Wall(in) Project.
Ivy S. Bennett
Program Director
Program Manager
Hamah Dorestant
Hamah Dorestant recently stepped into the role of Program Manager after more than 10 years of dedicated service with the All Kids Included (AKI) Youth Arts in the Parks program, an inclusive initiative made possible through the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs. Throughout her tenure, Hamah has played an integral role in fostering creativity, access, and meaningful arts experiences for children and youth of all abilities.
With a background in Education and Business Administration, Hamah combines her passion for youth development with strong organizational and leadership skills. In her current role, she oversees the implementation of afterschool and summer programs across multiple sites, ensuring smooth operations while maintaining healthy, productive working relationships with diverse partners and community stakeholders. She orients and supports teaching artists in alignment with program goals, facilitates meetings to uphold program quality, and provides guidance to ensure impactful instruction and inclusive engagement.
Hamah also supports the execution of successful culminating events that celebrate student achievement and community involvement. Her attention to detail and commitment to excellence are reflected in her oversight of accurate program data collection and reporting, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.
Her proven leadership, deep commitment to accessibility in the arts, and strong collaborative approach make her an invaluable leader within the AKI program and the broader arts community.
Hamah Dorestant
Program Manager
Assistant Program Manager
Wanda@A4Lmiami.org
Wanda Carreras
Wanda Carreras is a Cuban-American artist based in Miami, FL. As of 2017, she became an alum of New World School of the Arts’ visual arts high school program. In 2021, she became an alum of Art Center College of Design’s illustration-design BFA program in Pasadena, CA. Thinking, communicating, and solving problems creatively is the foundation that she thrives on as an Assistant Program Manager. Wanda is a passionate person with the intention to inspire others into more playful, more expansive, dreamier spaces within themselves.
Wanda Carreras
Assistant Program Manager
Site Manager
graciela@a4lmiami.org
Graciela Lacayo
Graciela Lacayo joined the A4L team in 2024. She is Venezuelan and holds a degree in Business Administration from the Central University of Venezuela. She has worked with children for over 16 years and has been a director for over 14 years, working in preschools (Ángel Guardián Preschool), at EnFamilia as a Parenting Coordinator, at the Homestead Shelter for Immigrant Children as a Case Manager, and with the American Children's Orchestra for Peace (a non-profit organization).
Through her work as a children's director, she developed a passion for helping, assisting, collaborating with, and guiding families and children in need. She has worked closely with The Children's Trust.
Graciela Lacayo
Site Manager
Site Manager
Zekeria Holcomb
Zekeria Holcomb is a dedicated site manager with a strong background in youth programming and afterschool operations. She currently leads the Arts for Learning Afterschool program at Laura C. Saunders Elementary, where she oversees daily program functions, supports instructional staff, and ensures a safe, engaging, and inclusive environment for all students.
Since joining Arts for Learning in July 2024, Zekeria has brought exceptional leadership and enthusiasm to her role. Her responsibilities include managing staff performance, fostering positive student engagement, and serving as a liaison between program staff and A4L leadership to ensure program goals are met with excellence. She is known for her ability to build meaningful connections with students and staff alike, and for creating an environment where creativity and learning can flourish. Zekeria is passionate about A4L's mission to provide equitable access to high-quality arts education. Her commitment to inclusion, growth, and resilience shines through in her work every day.
Zekeria Holcomb
Site Manager
Site Manager
Marilyn Mendoza
Marilyn Mendoza is a graduate student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Nova Southeastern University with a strong commitment to supporting both adults and children who have experienced trauma. Her clinical interests include trauma-informed care, emotional regulation, and fostering safe, supportive environments where individuals feel heard, respected, and empowered. She is passionate about helping clients build resilience and develop effective coping skills to navigate emotional and behavioral challenges.
Marilyn has been working with A4L since 2021, where she has gained valuable hands-on experience working with children and youth. Through this role, she has developed strong relationship-building skills and the ability to support children with emotional and behavioral needs in a structured, compassionate setting. Her experience at A4L has allowed her to grow both personally and professionally while reinforcing her dedication to working with children and families. The organization has provided meaningful opportunities for learning, collaboration, and professional development that continue to shape her approach to care.
She is committed to continuing her education and pursuing professional licensure in clinical mental health counseling. Her long-term goal is to integrate her academic training with my professional experience to provide high-quality, trauma-informed services. She is motivated, dependable, and eager to continue growing within an organization that values youth development, mental health, and community support. She looks forward to contributing her skills and passion to a team dedicated to making a positive impact.
Marilyn Mendoza
Site Manager
Multisite Manager
Cynthia Romero
Cynthia is A4L’s Multisite Manager, overseeing the Youth Arts in the Parks program across multiple locations during the academic year. In this role, she supervises site staff, conducts regular site visits, manages schedules and coverage, ensures safety and compliance, and supports required documentation. She also assists with registrations, orientations, events, field trips, and community activities to ensure consistent, high-quality program delivery across all sites.
In addition to her multisite responsibilities, she manages Arts for Learning’s Creative Arts Summer Camp, overseeing daily operations, supporting teaching artists, leading staff orientations, and ensuring each program reflects A4L’s commitment to inclusive, student-centered arts education. Cynthia has worked with Arts for Learning in several roles for over
years, and her long-standing connection to the organization informs her leadership approach and commitment to its mission.
Outside of A4L, Cynthia is a 5th-grade teacher and holds a Master’s degree in Exceptional Student Education. She is  known for being organized, solutions-oriented, and collaborative, and for leading with empathy while maintaining strong operational systems that support students, staff, and families.
Cynthia Romero
Multisite Manager
Board of Directors
Officers
President
Brendan Glynn
Brendan Glynn
Managing Director, bHive Recruiting
Brendan Glynn joined bHive Recruiting in 2021 where he specialized in placements in the Finance and Accounting fields throughout the US. Prior to that, he was with Friends of WLRN Radio and Television as the Director of Corporate Underwriting overseeing the business fundraising for the South Florida NPR/PBS affiliate. This move came after a 7-year tenure with Florida Grand Opera (FGO) as the Director of Marketing. In 2005, Mr. Glynn transitioned from a successful 13-year career at MARC Advertising in Coral Gables to Director of Marketing and Communications for the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and oversaw all aspects of Marketing, Sponsorships and Group Sales for four years. In addition, Mr. Glynn has been a panelist at the National Arts Marketing Conference, the Opera America Conference as well as presenters for both Artserve in Fort Lauderdale and the Arts and Business Council in Miami.
Brendan Glynn
President
Vice President
Clara Toro
Clara Toro
Industrial Designer and Photographer
Clara is a Colombian industrial designer and photographer. She graduated
from Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana and studied at Université de
Montreal and Pratt Institute.
Clara holds a degree in Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism from
the International Center of Photography, where she received a Director’s
Fellowship and graduated in December 2023 from the PhotoEspaña
master's program. Clara participated in the Eddie Adams Workshop, where
she completed a project about a food pantry in Liberty City for which she
received an award from The Wall Street Journal. She has done freelance
work for Univision.com, The 19th.com and volunteer photography work for
several nonprofits in Miami.
She is a resident artist at The Bakehouse Art Complex, has taught
photography workshops at Oolites, has been Teacher assistant at the
International Center of Photography and is a member of Women
Photographers International Archive WOPHA.
Clara has participated in group exhibits at The Bakehouse Art Complex, in
Capture Downtown
at the Coral Gables Museum, in
Los Colores de Miami
at MIFA and the Mexican consulate in Miami, at Clandestina fair in Miami,
at Pinecrest Gardens, at The Little Haiti Cultural Complex and at Green
Space Miami. She has had solo exhibits at The Bakehouse Art Complex, at
the Tory Burch flagship store in Miami, at the Colombian Consulate in Coral
Gables and a solo exhibit at Roberto Clemente Park in Wynwood.
She is a winner of a 2022 Ellies Creator Award for her project “Eight
minutes” about the historic, endangered Wynwood Norte neighborhood in
Miami, and a winner of a 2024 creative grant from Community
Engagement. Clara is currently developing a project about the Allapattah
neighborhood in Miami, in which she is documenting the stories of its
residents, before the impending changes.
Clara Toro
Vice President
Treasurer
Chris Harrison
Chris Harrison
Retired Senior Vice President, Risk & Advisory Services Assurant, Inc.
Chris Harrison CIA, CMA, was the Chief Audit Executive at Assurant, Inc., a specialty insurance company and a member of the Fortune 500. In this leadership role, Chris was responsible for ensuring that all of Assurant’s worldwide internal auditing activity provides the Board of Directors and management with independent, objective assurance and consulting advice designed to improve the effectiveness of Assurant’s operations.
Chris was with Assurant for 27 years beginning in 1988 when he joined American Bankers Insurance Group in Miami as a financial analyst. Since then he has held positions in several different areas including Finance, IT, HR and now Audit. In 2006 he was named SVP of Human Resources for Assurant Specialty Property, one of the four divisions of Assurant, Inc. where he was recognized for his leadership and contribution to the successful integration of a significant acquisition. In 2008 he assumed his current role. Here again, he has been recognized for successfully transforming the Risk and Advisory Services Department into a highly effective internal audit function which repeatedly provides value to the Board of Directors and management. He is now on a mission to ensure that the department continues to develop on its journey to being a world class internal audit function.
Chris received a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from the University of Windsor, in Ontario, Canada and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Florida. He is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and a Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
Chris Harrison
Treasurer
Secretary
Germane Barnes
Germane Barnes
Director, Studio Barnes
Assistant Professor, University of Miami School of Architecture
Director, Community Housing Identity Research Lab
Barnes’ research and design practice investigates the connection between architecture and identity. Mining architecture’s social and political agency, he examines how the built environment influences black domesticity. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor and Director of the Community Housing Identity Lab (CHIL) at the University Of Miami School Of Architecture. He is the 2021 Harvard GSD Wheelwright Prize winner, Rome Prize Fellow and winner of the Architectural League Prize. His design and research contributions have been published and exhibited in several international institutions. Most notably, The Museum of Modern Art, Pin-Up Magazine, The Graham Foundation, The New York Times, Architect Magazine, DesignMIAMI/ Art Basel, The Swiss Institute, Metropolis Magazine, Curbed, and The National Museum of African American History where he was identified as one of the future designers on the rise.
Germane Barnes
Secretary
Directors
Martin Bejerano
Martin Bejerano
Grammy Nominated Musician
Associate Professor, University of Miami Frost School of Music
Praised for his “full and fluent style” by the New York Times, acclaimed pianist and composer Martin Bejerano has performed and recorded with numerous jazz luminaries, including his 20 year association with GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award-winning drummer Roy Haynes, Christian McBride, Dave Holland, Pat Metheny, Ignacio Berroa, Russell Malone, Dafnis Prieto, and Sammy Figueroa, performing at most of the major jazz clubs, festivals and venues around the world.
An award-winning bandleader, Martin’s own trio has performed at such notable venues as Symphony Space, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, The Jazz Gallery, Barquisimeto Jazz Festival, El Hatillo Jazz Festival, St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, Festival Miami, and Lucerne Piano Off-Stage Festival, and was featured on NPR’s “Jazz Set” series. He has received numerous composition grants from such prestigious organizations as Chamber Music America, Dranoff 2 Piano Foundation, and the New York Philharmonic “New World Initiative”.
As an educator, Martin has given masterclasses and clinics at high schools, colleges, and universities across the world. A tenured professor, he has been the head of the Jazz Piano Studio at the acclaimed Frost School of Music, University of Miami, for eleven years, teaching jazz piano, improvisation, and composition. He is thrilled to be expanding his work with students right here in Miami as a member of Arts for Learning.
Martin Bejerano
Tadeu Figueiro
Tadeu Figueiro
SVP, Head of Marketing and Digital Transformation
BB Americas Bank
Boasting more than two decades in the banking sector, Tadeu Figueiro has emerged as a visionary leader fostering innovation and guiding digital progress. As the Senior Vice President and Head of
Marketing & Digital Transformation at BB Americas Bank, he has been instrumental in delivering greater customer value and accelerating the institution's expansion through strategic directives and insight into market dynamics. His tenure with Banco do Brasil / Insurance subsidiary, BB Seguros / BB Americas Bank (2000 - Present) is marked by his development of strategic marketing campaigns and initiatives that engage cultures, playing a considerable role in defining the BB brand's identity. As the Executive
Manager for the Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil (CCBB) from 2009 to 2015 and resuming in 2020 to the last year, Figueiro implemented significant marketing strategies and sponsored various cultural endeavors, promoting cultural involvement with original projects. His profound experience in digital transformation and marketing expertise highlights his proficiency in spurring innovation and corporate development. His dedication to applying digital platforms to maximize customer satisfaction and business performance solidifies his valuable contribution to the A4L Community.
Tadeu Figueiro
David Hazouri
David
Hazouri
Attorney at Law
Rottenstreich Farley Bronstein Fisher Potter Hodas LLP
David Hazouri is a native Floridian currently practicing high net-worth family and commercial law in the downtown Miami offices of Rottenstreich Farley Bronstein Fisher Potter Hodas LLP. He is licensed in both New York and Florida. Between earning his B.A. from Duke University in 1986 and his law degree from the University of Miami School of Law in 1995, David studied painting for several years at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. During the twenty-nine years of his legal practice, David has developed a subspeciality in electronic discovery. In 2006, he formed his own electronic discovery consulting company and has lectured on the topic to law firms, bar associations and judicial conferences around the state. David has been married to another Florida native, Lynne Graubert, for over twenty-five years and has two adult children, Madeline and Benjamin. Both Maddie and Ben graduated from Miami’s Design and Architecture Senior High (D.A.S.H.) and Maddie has gone on to receive her B.F.A. in Art History and Drawing from the Maryland Institute College of Art. It was during the children’s time at D.A.S.H. that David and Lynne saw first-hand the impact an arts-related curriculum can have in opening the minds of young people and encouraging them to take ownership for in setting personal goals for the future. Perhaps most importantly, the experience confirmed David’s strongly-held belief that arts education is one of the best tools for helping young students develop a set of skills for creative problem solving that translates across the board. It is this conviction that David brings to the Arts For Learning program in the hopes that one more South Florida student will have the opportunity to shine.
David Hazouri
N. Abraham Issa
N. Abraham Issa
Managing Director – Private Wealth Advisor
Ameriprise Financial Services L.L.C
Abraham is a Private Wealth Advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services L.L.C and has been in the financial service industry since 1993. He earned his Certified Financial Planner designation in 2000. Abraham earned his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Nebraska College of Law and was an attorney prior to moving to Florida in 1987. He currently serves on the Pension Board for the Town of Surfside, and is a non attorney member of the Unlicensed Practice of Law committee for the Florida Bar Association.
Abraham’s dedication to the arts stems from his early childhood exposure to music and the visual arts. He believes that art provides unmatched opportunities to develop skills of all children that are critical for their success. Whether it is through encouraging creativity and risk taking, learning the art of expression, or simply developing the connections for cognitive skills, he believes that art can be the essential catalyst for successful learning. He is grateful to be a part of Arts for Learning and its commitment to ensuring that children of all backgrounds have the same opportunities to succeed while at the same time enriching our community of South Florida.
N. Abraham Issa
Martin Jaundoo
Martin Jaundoo
SVP BSA/AML Program Head, Axiom Bank
Martin Jaundoo has 20 years of experience working with financial institutions, primarily focused on financial crimes, fraud and anti-money laundering compliance. Martin has assisted financial institutions throughout the USA on measures to prevent and identify financial crimes plus provided advisory services including how to remediate regulatory enforcement actions. He was part of a monitorship team appointed by US regulatory bodies to oversee and advise on the remediation of AML and sanctions compliance programs at global banks. Martin received a BSc from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Professional Aeronautics with a minor in Aviation Safety and Management. He is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS).
Martin Jaundoo
Gary Reisman
Gary Reisman
COO & Founder, Modwell, Inc.
Gary is a three-time founder of companies in media, tech, and strategic marketing. As co-founder of Modwell Holdings Inc., his latest venture, he is on a mission to revolutionize residential real estate while staying true to his core values of creativity, innovation, and community empowerment. By integrating immersive technology with entrepreneurial vision, Modwell aspires to redefine the home buying and ownership experience, making dreams a tangible reality for individuals worldwide. Gary is an active angel investor in various companies across multiple sectors and has a significant stake in the comedy podcast network Forever Dog Productions, where he was active CEO from 2018-2021. He started his career leading BTC and B2B accounts at WPP and IPG agencies and held the position of VP of sales and marketing at CNN.com International before founding the ad-tech company Leap Media Investments in 2006.
Guided by his deep-rooted belief in the transformative power of the arts, Gary strives to amplify voices, nurture talent, and foster inclusive spaces for creative expression. Serving as a dedicated board member for A4L and Young Audiences New York, he relishes the opportunity to contribute to initiatives that empower young minds, ignite imaginations, and cultivate a lifelong love for the arts.
Gary Reisman
Founders’ Circle
Carmen Maria Aguirre
Founding Board Member
Lilia Garcia
Founding Partner Delegate
Jane Gilbert
Founding Executive Director
James M. Herron
Founding Board Member
Betsy Kaplan*
Founding Board Member
Kirk Landon*
Chair Emeritus
Rhoda Levitt
Founding Board Member
Michael Spring
Founding Partner Delegate
* Deceased
Teaching Artists
Carlos Alayeto
Theater
Kayce Armstrong
Visual Art
Catalina Arenas
Visual Art
Carrie Sue Ayvar
Storytelling
Nickeisha Bailey
Dance
Letty Bassart
Theater/Music/Movement
Zedric Bembry
Dance
Angela Bolanos
Visual Art
Latrice Bruno
Dance/Theater
Joseph Canizales
Visual Art
Iman Clark
Dance
Yanira Collado
Visual Art
Pablo Contrisciani
Visual Art
Courtney Crawford
Theater
Carolina Cueva
Visual Art
Kamaria Dailey
Visual Art
Taurean
Devoe
Dance
Paloma Dueñas
Visual Arts
Neil De La Flor
Creative Writing
Heather De Marchena
Animation
Santiague De Prez
Visual Art
Morel Doucet
Visual Art
Mathew Forehand
Visual Art
Darla Francois
Dance
Marah Gaiti-Valenzuela
Visual Art
José Luís Garcia
Visual Art
Lauren Gaspard
Dance
Michael Gil
Music
Clinton Greenlee
Music
Jose Guzman
Music
Kendra Hawley
Music
Angel Howsky
Visual Art
Leslie Hart
Music
Cory Irvin
Music
Christina Leyva
Dance
Colin Logatto
Music
Lela Lombardo
Dance
Jennifer Louis
Music
Morgan Lorenzo
Visual Art
Erika Loyola
Music
T. Elliot Mansa
Visual Art
Spencer Martin
Visual Art
Luisa Martinez
Theater/Movement
Migeily Medez
Visual Arts
Ana Miranda
Dance
Aurora Molina
Visual Art
Aaron Neff
Animation
Noelle Nicholas
Theater
Patrick Oleson
Visual Art
Nzingah Oniwosan
Visual/Performing Art
Irislen Ortiz
Dance
Maria Perez
Visual Art
Terence Price
Visual Art
Jennifer Puig
Dance
Betsy Rodriguez
Theater
Mark Russell
Visual Art
Loren Santiesteban
Visual Art
Karen Schnell-Chilsolm
Visual Art
Gabriel Soomar
Design/Architecture
Mirena Suarez
Visual Art
Samnold Telfort
Animation
Maribel Trujillo Fruitstone
Dance
Llilian Valido
Music
Brenna Verner
Animation
Lidice Vilchez-Diaz
Music
Kayla Walker
Visual Art
Stephon Williams
Animation