Board of Trustees

Chair

Matt D'Arrigo, Co-Founder of the Clare Rose Center for Creative Youth Development (CYD) and Director of CYD at the Clare Rose Foundation; San Diego, CA

Matt D’Arrigo has dedicated the past 20 years of his life to being a champion and advocate for the arts and young people. He is the Director of Creative Youth Development at the Clare Rose Foundation overseeing local, regional, and national strategy, investments, advocacy, coalition building, and field building activities.  He is Co-Founder of The Clare Rose Center for Creative Youth Development (CYD), a backbone organization and philanthropic intermediary established to ensure that CYD funders, practitioners, organizations, and young people have access to the resources, tools, opportunities, and relationships they need to thrive.

Prior to joining Clare Rose Foundation, D’Arrigo was the Founder and CEO of A Reason To Survive (ARTS), a nationally recognized CYD organization based in National City, CA. His work with ARTS was the subject of the 2013 Academy Award winning documentary short “Inocente”, featured on the Today Show, was a case study in the New York Times best selling book "Decisive" by Chip and Dan Heath, and profiled in Darius Graham’s book “Being the Difference: True Stories of Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things to Change the World”.

Vice-Chair

Dr. Roque Diaz, Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, MacPhail Center for Music; Minneapolis, MN  

A first-generation neurodivergent Puerto Rican college graduate, Dr. Roque Diaz has shaped his career goals and qualifications by combining leadership, administration, scholarship, teaching, and performance through nonprofit arts organizations, higher education institutions, and K-12 school teaching in multiple countries. Dr. Diaz started at MacPhail Center for Music as the Director of School Partnerships and currently guides the Center’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies and initiatives as the Senior Director of DEI. Dr. Diaz's journey as a historically excluded and marginalized person in predominantly white spaces underlies his commitment to assuring more inclusive, culturally aware, and relevant experiences through the lens of DEI. As a trumpeter, Dr. Diaz has performed with major international orchestras and continues to perform orchestral, chamber, contemporary, Latin, jazz, and other music.

Interim Treasurer

Karen LaShelle (Immediate Past Chair), Executive Director, Austin Together; Austin, TX  

Karen LaShelle is the Executive Director of Austin Together, an organization dedicated to strengthening nonprofits in Central Texas through sustained collaborations that increase capacity and maximize impact. Karen is a highly respected nonprofit leader and was instrumental in the success of Creative Action where she currently serves as part-time Director of Strategic Initiatives overseeing the development of a new collaborative arts education facility. During her 20-year tenure at Creative Action, the organization grew from a grassroots startup into one of the largest arts education organizations in Texas, reaching more than 20,000 students every year. Karen has received many accolades for her leadership, including the 2022 Learn All the Time Legacy Leader award, being named 2015 Mission Capital Executive Director of the Year, being recognized as a finalist for the 2012 and 2013 Ernst and Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year and receiving the 2011 “Austin Under 40” Award. Since 2016, Karen has been a trustee of the National Guild for Community Arts Education where she has served as the co-chair of the Racial Equity Committee and is the current Board Chair. She holds a BFA from Illinois Wesleyan University and an MA in Community Based Arts from New York University.

Secretary

Katie Smythe, Founding CEO and Artistic Director, New Ballet Ensemble & School; Memphis, TN

After a 17-year career as a professional dancer and arts educator, Smythe saw a need for a community dance program offering a high standard of ballet training for children from every corner of the city, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or ability to pay. She founded NBE based on that mission in 2002. A 2006 capital campaign to transform an unused Midtown warehouse into a 14,500 square foot facility that includes three state-of-the-art dance studios, a Pilates studio, costume shop, administrative offices, and in 2018 an Educational Resource Center for students opened.

Under Smythe’s leadership, NBE has continued to broaden its mission, expanding community engagement and reaching more children. New Ballet Teaching Artists, toured Memphis City Schools, performing and looking for talented young people, while also working with human service organizations to recruit young dancers. In 2009, NBE entered a partnership with the community of Orange Mound, creating an after-school dance program in Dunbar Elementary School. The residency has brought a number of talented young dancers into the NBE program, and it continues today.

Ms. Smythe was first elected to the National Guild Board in 2014 and served two three-year terms before rotating off the board for a year. She is seeking reelection to her third three-year term.

Term Trustees

Natalie Butler, Chief Program Officer, The People's Music School; Chicago, IL

Natalie Butler grew up in Miami, FL and tried studying voice, violin, and cello before deciding upon the clarinet as her primary instrument. Natalie received her Bachelors of Music Education from Florida State University and shortly thereafter moved to Chicago to begin her career as a music educator. She took a break from teaching to pursue her Masters of Music from Northwestern University and later successfully completed the process to become a Nationally Board Certified Teacher in Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood Music. Natalie spent over thirteen years teaching general music and conducting bands for students in grades pre-K-12 in the Chicago Public Schools while continuing to study clarinet privately and performing both clarinet and voice. In 2013 Natalie joined the team at The People’s Music School. She appeared on the Jennifer Hudson Show in February of 2024 to advocate for access to music education for all children. Throughout her career Natalie has conducted, guest lectured, presented on national panels, and published her research on the local, national and international levels. She continues to conduct wind and chamber ensembles and teach music theory to students in grades 4-12.

Dominique Enriquez, Executive Director, Arts Education Alliance of the Bay Area; Bay Area, CA  

Working at the intersection of contemporary art practice and education, Dominique Enriquez (she/her) is a visual artist working in collage, drawing and painting and has over twenty years of experience working with learning audiences of all ages. Born and raised in the Bay Area, she returned to the East Bay after living and working in Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Cruz and Chicago. Before joining the Arts Ed Alliance, she served in roles across all five regions of the Bay Area including the Executive Director at the Junior Center of Art and Science (Oakland, CA) and various leadership roles at the Richmond Art Center (Richmond, CA), Leap Arts in Education (SF, CA) Headlands Center for the Arts (Sausalito, CA), and Palo Alto Art Center (Palo Alto, CA).​

She studied Drawing and Painting at the California College of the Arts, received her B.A in Studio Art from San Diego State University, and her Master's degree in Education from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Additionally, she has over 25 years of recreational dance experience in hip hop and ballet. As an experiential learner, Dominique believes in the intrinsic value of creative practice in the learning process and loves to explore new ideas through observing, talking about, and making art.

Aurora Toshiko King, Executive Director, Free Spirit Media; Chicago, IL 

Aurora Toshiko King an arts & culture worker, facilitator and Californian currently residing in Chicago where she serves as Executive Director at Free Spirit Media (FSM). Prior to FSM, Aurora was Director of Education at Marwen, where she worked to support an organization-wide transformation of practices, policies, and vision to center the leadership and sustainability of intergenerational community-based artists. Aurora spent several years at Destiny Arts Center in Oakland, CA as Director of Programs and worked to co-create responsive social-justice-rooted creative youth development programs. Her work derives from her life as an ongoing learner, as well as from her experience as a teaching artist, creative administrator, artist, mother, and her own personal struggles navigating education systems. Aurora envisions a world where young people have everything they need to step into their power and brilliance, artists are thriving, and everyone has access to holistic creative spaces that build our interdependent liberation. 

Andrew Lee, Executive Director, Washington Conservatory of Music; Washington, D.C.

Founder of DC Strings, has led performances in such prestigious venues as the Embassy of Spain and The Kennedy Center, among other DMV performing arts venues in our Nation’s Capital.  Other musical experiences include teaching music locally to underserved public school students, touring and performing with notable artists such as conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops and a debut in Carnegie Hall, active in several local area orchestras and taught in local music and public schools.  Out of his own passion for music, he founded DC Strings, a non-profit music organization committed to music education, and serves more than 500 youth annually, providing instrument rental, workshops, concerto opportunities, music lessons and more to deserving young people throughout the region.  Panelist for several city, state, and national funding organizations, including the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities and the Maryland State Arts Commission, Trustee of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Historical Association.  Member Junior Board of Washington Performing Arts.  Has mentored, tutored and taught music, history and chess through Chess Challenge in DC and a host of other programs with the Boys & Girls Club and various DC Public camps, private and charter schools.

Nancy Ng, Executive Director of Creativity & Policy, Luna Dance & Creativity; Berkeley, CA

Nancy Ng is on the Professional Learning faculty at Luna where she facilitates professional development workshops; and mentors and coaches teaching artists, teachers, and social service workers committed to dance education as a way to strengthen communities. Prior to joining Luna, Ng was the Administrative Director and a resident choreographer with San Francisco’s Asian American Dance Performances (AADP). In her eight- year tenure with AADP, she presented the work of regional, national and international artists; directed outreach and education programs; and choreographed her own works which delved into Asian female stereotypes, immigration and racism. Ng is a co-founder of MPACT (Moving Parents and Children Together), Luna’s nationally-recognized program for families in the child welfare system. Ng helped author the state of California’s Early Learning Foundation’s in the Visual and Performing Arts, and she was an invited reviewer for the National Core Arts Standards.

Norma Nuñez-Ruch, Manager of Operations, Segundo Ruiz Belvís Cultural Center; Palatine, IL

Norma Nuñez-Ruch, a native Venezuelan, has over 20 years of experience in creative youth development, advocating for equal access to the arts. She holds a Bachelor's in International Studies and a Master's in Cultural Management and is fluent in both Spanish and English. Norma was the first Venezuelan Ford Motor Company International Fellow of the 92nd Street Y (2011) and a Global Leaders Program graduate (2018). With leadership roles in renowned organizations like Fundamusical Simón Bolivar, Allentown Symphony, and Ravinia Festival, she has a proven impact on community arts. Currently, Norma is the Manager of Operations at Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center in Chicago.

Ivonne Chand O'Neal, PhD​, Chief Research Officer, MUSE Research; Washington, DC 

Dr. Ivonne Chand O’Neal, Founder and Chief Research Officer of MUSE Research, leads a full-scale arts impact evaluation firm focusing on equity and access. With a robust background, she pioneered comprehensive research platforms for renowned organizations like the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, analyzing the impact of the arts globally. Her roles include strategic positions at Crayola and VSA: The International Organization on Arts and Disability, along with chairing the Arts, Culture, and Museums Division at the American Evaluation Association. She serves on boards for the Minnesota Opera and National Assembly of State Arts Agencies and advises the University of Pennsylvania’s Human Flourishing Initiative. As a federal reviewer for esteemed institutions like the National Endowment for the Arts and the Corporation for National and Community Service, she advocates for creative education. Her work, highlighted by media outlets and government bodies, precedes her upcoming publication, "The Impact of the Arts on Human Flourishing" (Springer, 2025).  

Dr. Karin Orenstein, Dean, Settlement Music School; Philadelphia, PA 

Karin Orenstein (she/her) is an arts leader dedicated to fostering a vibrant creative environment with community at its core. As the Dean of Settlement Music School, she brings a wealth of experience from her previous role as the Director of the Wynnefield Branch. Prior to her time at Settlement, Karin worked in the K-12 school sector and taught at George Washington University and Towson University. With a Bachelor's degree in Piano Pedagogy from Shenandoah Conservatory and a Master's and Doctorate degree from The Catholic University of America, Karin's expertise extends to understanding learning styles and the transformative power of arts education. She is an alum of the National Guild for Community Arts Education's Leadership Institute (CAELI) and has contributed to the National Guild for Community Arts as the Co Ambassador of the Large School Network and a Member of the Creative Youth Development Steering Committee. Karin is also a member of the Jazz Philadelphia Education Team supporting jazz education across the Philadelphia region.  

Erin Perry, Executive Director, Legacy Arts Project; Pittsburgh, PA

Erin Perry is a mother, wife, teacher, artist and arts administrator, and long time advocate for culturally relevant education and community engagement. She is the executive director of the Legacy Arts Project (LAP) and is passionate about the healing and transformative power of the arts. Since her first immersive experience with West African drum and dance, Erin has been on a mission to learn more about herself and the world through cultural exploration, appreciation, and expression.

As Ms. Perry has continued to evolve, so has her work. Rooted in cultural exploration, she has grown to understand the role of arts and culture in the development of a strong self-identity. As such, she has traveled throughout the African diaspora, experiencing culture through direct immersion in the activities of the people and places she has visited. From these experiences, relationships have been formed, knowledge transmitted, and bridges built, enabling Erin to develop a foundation from which to share her knowledge.

Traci Slater-Rigaud, Senior Director of Member Engagement & Partnerships, United Philanthropy Forum/Lewis Prize for Music; Washington, DC

Traci Slater-Rigaud is the Senior Director of Member Engagement & Partnerships at the United Philanthropy Forum. Prior to coming to the Forum, Traci served as the Director of the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards with the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities for over 12 years, most recently under the Obama administration. She is the former Program Coordinator for Arts in Education with the National PTA where she managed the Reflections Program. Before the National PTA, Traci was the Curator of Education at Miami Art Museum. Her background also includes the role of Public Programs Manager at the Baltimore Museum of Art. Traci also remains connected to her first love, arts education, through her work with the Lewis Prize for Music. She currently serves on the boards of the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (SEEC) and the board of Dance/USA.

Joan Rossini, Executive Director, The City of Clemson Arts Center; Clemson, SC

Originally from Philadelphia, Joan Rossini has been working in the nonprofit sector for over twenty years. She currently serves as the Director of The City of Clemson Arts Center, a department of the city of Clemson. She has served as the Executive Director for the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles and the Bay Area Glass Institute. She has started multiple programs aimed at advancing arts and culture in the Philadelphia, San Jose, and the Upstate of South Carolina communities. Joan has taken classes in Creativity and Change Leadership at Buffalo State and has earned a MPS in Arts and Cultural Management from Pratt Institute, a BFA in Photography from the University of the Arts and a Certificate in Creative Placemaking from New England College.