Appointed by Governor Newsom in December 2023, Danielle Brazell leads California’s state agency for the arts with a visionary belief in the arts as vital civic infrastructure—driving equity, belonging, health, and economic opportunity state‑wide. A seasoned public‑sector arts leader with over 30 years’ experience, she transformed the LA Department of Cultural Affairs into a powerhouse—expanding its budget, scale, and statewide influence—and steered Arts for LA into a robust advocacy force for the region. A practicing artist, educator, and strategist, Brazell also brings insights from roles as consultant, teaching artist, and board member for DataArts, Americans for the Arts, and the World Cities Culture Forum. Her leadership is grounded in lived creative practice—from early apprenticeship at Highways Performance Space to building inclusive public arts infrastructure across communities.

Allison Wyper is a performance artist, consultant, and arts entrepreneur with over two decades of experience supporting artists and organizations. She is the founder of Rhizomatic Arts, where she helps creative professionals work independently while building supportive networks. A Master Facilitator of the Business of Art curriculum, she authored CCI’s forthcoming Business of Art Facilitation Guide. Her performance and curatorial projects have been presented internationally, and she now lives in Nevada County, where she continues to develop sustainable models for artist-led work.

Brandon Greathouse is a musician, DJ, emcee, dancer, and community builder whose career has spanned national and international stages. As the official host for World of Dance, he has traveled widely as a headliner and DJ while running two dance studios that brought culture and vitality to Sacramento and Truckee. Known for his charismatic teaching style, he empowers students with confidence, collaboration skills, and self-expression. With six years of overseas festival performances, Brandon is equally at home behind the mic or on the turntables, inspiring audiences with energy and artistry.

Dean Rader is the author or editor of thirteen books of poetry, criticism, and anthologies. His debut, Works & Days, won the T. S. Eliot Poetry Prize, and his recent collection Before the Borderless was named a top modern poetry book by Bookriot. A regular contributor to national outlets including San Francisco Chronicle and Los Angeles Review of Books, Rader is also a Guggenheim Fellow and professor at the University of San Francisco. His work is widely recognized for its range, depth, and cultural engagement.

Diana Arbex is Program Manager for the Grass Valley–Nevada City Cultural District and an arts administrator with international experience. Originally from Brazil, she has managed galleries, curated cultural programs, and served as Operations Manager for the Wild & Scenic Film Festival. At Nevada County Arts Council, she has advanced cultural programming, supported artists, and received recognition as a California Arts Council Individual Artist Fellow. With a background in design and a passion for community engagement, Diana brings creativity and strategy to cultural development.

Eliza Tudor is Executive Director of Nevada County Arts Council and an experienced fundraiser who has secured millions in support for arts and cultural initiatives across three continents. Her background spans producing and policy work in Australia, the UK, and the US, including roles at the University of Oxford and the UK’s National Health Service. She has served on state and national arts advocacy boards and currently advises on research, leadership, and tourism initiatives across California. Eliza is committed to building sustainable cultural ecosystems through fundraising, advocacy, and strategic partnerships.

Hannah Mosby is Programs Lead for Art in Public Spaces at Nevada County Arts Council, where she manages curation, artist coordination, and exhibition logistics. With a BA in Art History and more than a decade of curatorial and gallery management experience, she has organized over 20 exhibitions featuring hundreds of artists. Her past roles include directing Open Studios Tour and serving as Gallery Manager at The Center for the Arts. Hannah also oversees membership engagement, cultivating connections across Nevada County’s creative community.

Jenny Darlington-Person is Executive Director of the Arts Council of Placer County and a development consultant with InConcert Sierra. Since 2018 she has secured significant public and private support for rural arts organizations, bringing legal, fundraising, and management expertise to her leadership. Recognized with the 2022 Executive Leadership Award from the Association of California Symphony Orchestras, Jenny combines her background in law and nonprofit management with a deep commitment to community and creative equity.

Judy Merrick is an actress and improv teacher who spent 13 years in the vibrant New York theater scene. She has brought her passion for performance to Nevada City, where audiences may recognize her from Into the Woods, RENT, It’s a Wonderful Life, and The Shorts. For her role in The Moors, she won BroadwayWorld’s Best Actress award two years in a row. She also starred as Candy in Gold Can’t Love You Back, a new musical about the Gold Country, and most recently playing Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Center For the Arts. Judy trained at USC, RADA in London, and AADA in NYC, and has a multitude of LA and NYC credits in both theater and film.

Julie Baker has served as CEO of California’s statewide arts advocacy organizations since 2018, building legislative influence and visibility for arts and culture communities across the state. She has championed statewide advocacy campaigns, secured resources for artists and cultural workers, and fostered cross-sector coalitions. A leader in national and regional networks, she has held roles with Americans for the Arts, Creative West, and CalNonprofits. Her career includes directing performing arts organizations, curating world music series, and running her own consulting firm. She has received multiple awards for her leadership and advocacy.

Karen Terrey is Nevada County Poet Laureate and founder of Tangled Roots Writing in Truckee, where she teaches creative writing workshops and offers editorial services. She has published widely in journals and anthologies, and her poetry collection Bite and Blood is available through Finishing Line Press. A teacher at Sierra College and alumna of the Community of Writers, Karen supports writers of all ages through her coaching, workshops, and publishing guidance.

Kellie Cuttler is Program Manager for the Truckee Cultural District, administered by Nevada County Arts Council in partnership with local civic and business leaders. A longtime Truckee resident with more than two decades in nonprofit administration, she has advanced strategic planning, community collaboration, and fundraising initiatives across the Tahoe region. She holds a master’s in arts administration from Golden Gate University and serves on the Truckee Chamber of Commerce board and other regional committees, deepening her commitment to arts and community leadership.

Kevin Byrd is a fine artist, educator, and advocate dedicated to helping creatives thrive financially and professionally. His work blends art-making with practical training in the business of art, including pricing strategies, market development, and sustainability for working artists. Through workshops, coaching, and his own practice, Kevin guides artists to value their work, set clear financial goals, and build resilient creative careers.

Kiersten Duerr, Med., CTE, is a tax accountant with Broadstreet Financial Group specializing in creative professionals and small businesses. A former public educator, she discovered her passion for financial literacy through her husband’s music business and brings both teaching and real-world experience to her clients. Also a musician, she balances her accounting work with performing in her band Crystal Wells, blending creativity with expertise in financial management.

Mary Volmer is the author of two novels, Crown of Dust and Reliance, Illinois, and cofounder of the Alta Mesa Center for the Arts and its teaching arm, Maker, Mentor, Muse. She is Mission Fellow for Athletics at Saint Mary’s College, where she supports the well-being of NCAA Division I athletes. As both a novelist and educator, she helps writers uncover the voice and structure of their work, drawing on her experience as an athlete, artist, and mentor committed to resilience and creativity.

Patrick Storm is a creative consultant, strategist, and communications professional with extensive experience in arts, media, and branding. Drawing on his background in digital platforms and media relations, he helps artists and organizations craft compelling stories that connect with audiences and the press. His expertise spans social media strategy, content creation, and personal branding, with a focus on elevating creative voices in competitive marketplaces.

Shira Lane is founder and CEO of Atrium 916, Sacramento’s Creative Innovation Center for Sustainability, where she mentors entrepreneurs to design for zero waste and circularity. She transformed an abandoned building into a thriving sustainability hub recognized by the California State Assembly and leads programs that reach more than 148,000 visitors annually. A bridge-builder between policy and practice, she chairs California’s SB54 Reuse Subcommittee and founded initiatives including Upcycle Pop and Circular California. An award-winning filmmaker and creative leader, she continues to advance innovation at the intersection of art, design, and environmental policy.