Dennis Oppenheim, Radiant Fountains, 2009

Staff

Executive Administration

Interim Chief Executive Officer/ Director of Grants

Taylor is serving as Interim CEO/ Director of Grants for Houston Arts Alliance. She is responsible for supervising the implementation of city-funded grant programs for art organizations and creative individuals in the City of Houston. Before joining Houston Arts Alliance, Taylor served as Executive Director at Providence ¡CityArts! for Youth in Providence, Rhode Island. There, she worked as the liaison between governance, financial planning, and strategic alignment of mission, vision, and values. Taylor’s passion advocating for equitable access to arts and cultural programming generated opportunities for her to work with institutions such as Rhode Island State Council for the Arts. There she served as a working group participant to evaluate and restructure two of the Council’s most robust grant programs. Taylor received an M.A. in Public Humanities from Brown University and a B.A. in History from Rhodes College located in Memphis, TN.

TAYLOR JACKSON She/Her

Administration

Chief Operating Officer

713.581.6119 x 119

Stacey graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. She has worked in Public Accounting and/or nonprofit organizations for over twenty years.

STACEY PTOMEY KEENE

Accounting and Administration Clerk
tyler@haatx.com
713.581.6118

Tyler assists in numerous operations across Houston Arts Alliance to ensure a smooth and orderly flow of business. He got his start in Houston working in the Mayor’s Office of International Trade and Development, before working in the private sector with a focus on public affairs and communications. Tyler received a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from the University of Georgia. He enjoys spending time with his cats, astronomy books, and a good spreadsheet.

TYLER SMITH He/Him

Finance

Controller
713.527.9330 x 016

Araceli has a degree from the University of Houston and has worked for nonprofit organizations for over six years. She works closely with the COO to manage reporting and reconciliations for HAA to have the necessary information to maintain our goals and stay in compliance with various contracts. When not at work, you can expect her to be spending time at family gatherings or attempting a new DIY craft project.

ARACELI HUFFMAN She/Her

Accounts Payable Coordinator
713.527.9330 x 110

Kathleen has 15+ years of work experience for nonprofit organizations in Houston. She works closely with the Senior Accountant and Chief Operating Officer making sure that vendor records are correct/updated and invoices are paid in a timely manner. When away from work she enjoys time with her grandchildren/great-grandson and church activities.

KATHLEEN ANDERSON

Communications

Director of Communications
karen@haatx.com
713.581.6116

Karen Y. Martinez is the Communications Director for the Houston Arts Alliance. She brings over 10 years of experience in media communications, the arts, social justice, education, and political sectors. Karen is committed to uplifting HAA’s mission to broaden access and decrease barriers for artists and non-profits in Houston. In her free time, she enjoys reading screenplays and cooking.

KAREN MARTINEZ She/Her

Communications Specialist
clara@haatx.com
713.581.6115

Clara received her B.A. in English Literature and has 6+ years of experience in the Houston arts nonprofit communities. From providing guided tours as a docent to working in various arts nonprofit departments, Clara dedicates engaging experiences and dialogues for her audiences who are also exploring creative expressions in Houston.

CLARA KANG She/Her

Communications Assistant
rebecca@haatx.com

Rebecca is a recent graduate from the University of Houston with a Bachelor's in Digital Media. During her time as a student, Rebecca was President of her program's student council, where she promoted mentorship and community for the students. Rebecca is passionate about bringing resources to the Houston arts community and is excited to start her career in a dynamic communication role.

REBECCA CASTELAN She/Her

Grants

Under contract with the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, HAA runs competitive grantmaking programs for Houston artists and nonprofits through a percentage of the City’s Hotel Occupancy Tax dollars. Review grant opportunities.

Senior Grants Manager
colleena@haatx.com
713.527.9330 x135

Colleena is the Senior Grants Manager at Houston Arts Alliance. She brings over 10 years of experience in local, state, and federal grant administration and management. Prior to working at HAA, she served as a Grants & Operations Manager at American Bar Association Children’s Immigration Law Academy responsible for the full life cycle of Philanthropic and Competitive Grants. She also served as the Grants Manager and Logistics Section Chief at Fort Bend County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in which she coordinated the allocation of resources in response to natural disasters, terrorism, and hazardous events. In her free time, she enjoys attending live music events, trying new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.

COLLEENA PAYNE She/Her

Grants Data Manager
shareef@haatx.com
713.527.9330 x 129

Shareef serves as the Grants Data Manager for Houston Arts Alliance. He oversees program evaluation and data reporting, and conducts exploratory and ad hoc dataset analysis as a key part of a cross-functional team. Shareef builds custom visualizations that convey advanced insights to guide an ever-greater equitable funding model. He is proud to join HAA in service to local creatives and nonprofits. Shareef holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Houston.

SHAREEF RABIE He/Him

Grants Compliance Specialist
andrea@haatx.com
713.527.9330 x 6

Andrea holds a B.A. in Theatre from Agnes Scott College. She oversees grant compliance and provides support to artists and organizations throughout the grant terms and application process.

In her spare time, Andrea participates in local theatre productions.

ANDREA TORRES

Grants Coordinator
valentin@haatx.com

Valentin graduated from the University of Houston with a BA in Psychology and Sociology and had previously been working as a History teacher in Baytown prior to coming to HAA. He is super excited to be working alongside the Grants team and is ready to make a difference within the Houston scene. He also has a great sweet tooth and enjoys going to comedy shows around Houston.

VALENTIN URRUTIA

Grants Assistant
liana@haatx.com

Liana is the Grants Assistant for Houston Arts Alliance. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts and minor in Inequality Studies from Cornell University in 2022 and is an emerging artist in Houston. She is excited to use her knowledge and love of art to support Houston's diverse cultures, communities, and arts. In her free time, she enjoys walking her cat, oil painting, and drinking lots of coffee!

LIANA AMAYA

Civic Art

Also under contract with the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, HAA acquires, manages, and conserves the City of Houston’s public art pieces, which provide exciting opportunities for Houstonians and visitors to engage with art in parks, public spaces, libraries, and local airports. Review calls for public art applications.

Director of Civic Art
grace@haatx.com
713.527.9330 x 126

Grace Zuñiga is the Director of Civic Art for Houston Arts Alliance and brings leadership and creativity to the role.

She is a proven leader in the Houston arts community and has dedicated a near-decade of her professional career to curating art exhibitions and cultural experiences in the City on behalf of corporations, nonprofits and galleries. A multifaceted artist, Grace is an influential figure in the Houston arts scene. Most recently, she shaped arts programming and public art programs for Sawyer Yards. Grace also serves on the board of directors of multiple local arts and culture organizations.

A Corpus Christi native, Grace received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in 2007. In 2010, she studied printmaking and papermaking in the UGA Cortona Program in Cortona, Italy. Two years later, Grace received her Master of Fine Arts from the Lamar Dodd School of Art at the University of Georgia.

GRACE ZUÑIGA She/Her

Civic Art Senior Project Manager
allison@haatx.com
713.527.9330 x 132

Allison Jagers is a Senior Project Manager with an established track record of collaborating with artists and organizations to realize a variety of site-specific commissioned projects, curated collections, and exhibitions across Texas. Allison holds a Master's in Arts Leadership from the University of Houston, where she honed her skills in leadership and strategic planning, with a focus on organizations in the public and non-profit sectors. Prior to her studies at UH, Allison studied both Arts Management and Photography at the University of North Texas, leading to a unique blend of artistic vision and strategic acumen she applies to her work. In her downtime, Allison enjoys playing board games with friends, traveling, and visiting the latest exhibitions on view at galleries in the city.

ALLISON KILLEN She/Her

Civic Art Finance & Collection Management Coordinator
lindawu.xw@haatx.com

Linda received her Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from Rice University in 2018. She has since supported various Houston art organizations such as Lawndale Art Center, Sawyer Yards, and The Idea Fund through administrative roles. She works closely with the Civic Arts + Design team to ensure the timely and accurate processing of financial procedures.

XIAOYU LINDA WU She/Her

Associate Project Manager
sasha@haatx.com
713.527.9330

Sasha Dela, originally from Atlanta and now based in Houston, brings over two decades of experience in the visual arts, education, and nonprofit sectors. In 2007, she completed a residency at the Core Program at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Dela holds a Master of Fine Arts from California College of the Arts in San Francisco and was awarded the DeCosse Fellowship to study at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, Italy. As co-founder and director of SKYDIVE, a nonprofit art space, Dela fostered a platform for experimental art. She also founded the Saturday Free School for the Arts, a radical school open to all, offering free, inclusive arts education. Dela has contributed her expertise to committees at DiverseWorks, Lawndale, Project Row Houses, and the Center for Houston’s Future. In a major curatorial project, she organized a show celebrating the 25th anniversary of DiverseWorks, highlighting a legacy of impactful local and national arts programming.

SASHA DELA She/Her

Finance and Database Coordinator
chelsea@haatx.com
713.581.6130

Chelsea earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Finance from the University of Houston in 2014. After nearly eight years as a financial advisor serving a diverse range of clients, she chose to follow her childhood dream of working in the arts. Since 2023, Chelsea has been an active collaborator in Houston's vibrant arts community, supporting institutions and artists such as ART IS BOND., Hogan Brown Gallery, United by Design, and Robert Hodge.

Chelsea is passionate about fostering meaningful connections between art and its audiences, advocating for accessibility and inclusivity across all aspects of the creative world. She is committed to inspiring others to follow their creative aspirations while shining a light on the often-overlooked roles within creative administration and production.

In her role as Finance and Database Coordinator for the Civic Arts Division, Chelsea ensures the timely and accurate processing of financial operations and oversees the management of the City of Houston's art collection database.

CHELSEA BENOIT

Development

Director of Development
Carrie@haatx.com
713.581.6131

Carrie, a graduate of Cornell University, began her professional career in marketing and communications. After working in that field for ten years and holding positions in San Francisco and Chicago, Carrie accepted a position in her home state of Connecticut. In 2008, she shifted her focus and talents to a career in advancement, serving at Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts and later at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum. In April 2015, Carrie moved to Houston and joined the Menil Collection’s Advancement Department as Manager of Membership and Visitor Services. At HAA, Carrie will oversee the organization’s private fundraising program, including corporate, foundation, and individual support through its diverse engagement strategies.

CARRIE ERMLER She/Her

Development Writer
TracyJo@haatx.com

Tracy Jo Barnwell received an MA from the Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins in 1998 and a PhD in creative writing from the University of Houston in 2005. She has received an Academy of American Poets Award and the Barthelme Award for fiction, and she taught writing at the University of Houston until 2022. Her creative work has appeared in Pleiades, Gettysburg Review, Quarterly West, The Missouri Review, and Mark Doty’s book on aesthetics, The Art of Description.

TRACY JO BARNWELL She/Her

Donor Engagement Coordinator
chandler@haatx.com

Chandler is a graduate of the University of Houston, where she earned a BFA in Stage Management. She has previously worked with notable organizations such as the Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, Alley Theatre, Catastrophic Theatre, and New York Stage and Film. Before joining HAA, she traveled the world as a flight attendant and served as the Member Events Coordinator for the Menil Collection. Chandler is excited to be part of the HAA team and looks forward to helping the Development team expand its outreach to both new and existing donors.

CHANDLER HARVEY She/Her

Development Assistant
Alec@haatx.com

Alec is a second-year graduate Art History student at the University of Houston. His studies focus broadly on contemporary art, preservation, and the fostering of cross-cultural art historical dialogues. Outside of his work with Houston Arts Alliance, he is dedicated to promoting equitable representation in the arts as Executive Director of the Islamic Arts Society. He recognizes the rich diversity of the Houston arts scene, and consistently strives to showcase it to the community at large.

ALEC STORY He/Him

Disaster Services

Director of Disaster Services
michelle@haatx.com

Dobbins is a thought leader in the nonprofit sector with over 17 years of experience in disaster management, relief, and recovery. Prior to HAA, Michelle worked at BakerRipley, a community development organization, where she oversaw state and federal grants, including the Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP), Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) programs. Michelle has served as Chairperson for the Texas Gulf Coast Regional Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (TGCRVOAD), as a member of the Harris County Long-Term Recovery (HCLTRC) and Fort Bend Recovers Steering Committees, and as Co-Chair of the Disaster Case Management Workgroup for the HCLTRC. She currently serves on the Advisory Roundtable for the Houston Community College Resiliency Center of Excellence. Michelle supports nonprofits, faith-based, community-based, and governmental entities with response and recovery efforts.

Her core professional and personal ambition is to improve outcomes for vulnerable, underserved, and marginalized individuals, households, and communities through equitable and sustainable service deliveries. She holds a master’s degree in business administration. In her spare time, she loves family time, traveling, and interior design.

MICHELLE DOBBINS She/Her

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Arts Network Fund, BANF

BANF was created to provide resources and networks that support the vibrant Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern and other communities of color of Greater Houston in fully displaying their power, values, and traditions. Its goals are achieved through grant funding, advocacy, and community-building networking initiatives that revolutionize the local funding landscape, break down silos within the arts ecosystem, and welcome everyone to support and learn from BIPOC arts communities.

Director of Communication
sixto@haatx.com
713.527.6125

Sixto Wagan is the Project Director for the BIPOC Arts Network and Fund. He leads BANF along with a seven-member Steering Committee and a nine-member Accountability and Advisory Council made up of a diverse group of artists, curators, scholars, organizational leaders, and foundation partners, who guide goals and priorities.

Before joining BANF, Wagan founded the Center for Art and Social Engagement (CASE) at the University of Houston. He also led the contemporary art center, DiverseWorks, serving a multitude of capacities including artistic director, co-executive director and performing arts curator.