Board of Directors
Chris has spent the last two decades in tech and videogames marketing and now focuses on supporting small businesses and nonprofits. He rediscovered his passion for oil painting and comics art through KAC and is a strong proponent for art as therapy that should be accessible to all.
Grace grew up in Scotland, earning an MA at University of Aberdeen before embarking on a career in Human Resources in the Oil Industry, spending 15 years between London, Dallas, and Los Angeles. She then worked for 18 years in the Toy Industry in HR, Talent, Diversity and Leadership Development roles. In 2020, after 25 years in Southern California Grace moved to the Pacific Northwest. Grace has worked closely with creatives and artists during her career and has supported and been involved with art organizations in her life outside of work. She believes that communities who truly support and nurture artistic and creative organizations build a healthier, happier, more diverse and overall richer living environment for their members.
Neeta is a physician and ceramic artist. She went to medical school in Philadelphia, completed residencies in anesthesia and pediatrics in NYC and currently works in administration at Virginia Mason. She has been a ceramic student for more than 20 years and at KAC for the past ten years. Neeta hopes to contribute a student perspective to the board. Inspired by the likes of Robert Rauschenberg, she has a broad view of what constitutes art and believes virtually everyone is an artist and deserves the opportunity to create.
Will McDermott is an author and editor who has published eight novels and written for more than 20 games. He has edited magazines in numerous industries and written several nonfiction books. Will’s writing has been translated into many languages around the world.
Tracy grew up in Duluth, Minnesota, then moved to Los Angeles to pursue graduate studies at the University of Southern California, earning a Ph.D. in Critical Studies from the School of Cinematic Arts. She served as the Academic Director of Intercollegiate Media Studies at the Claremont Colleges before relocating to Kirkland in 2011. Before retiring in 2021, Tracy worked on policy and organizational change at Bellevue College.
Beatriz is a native of Spain who moved to the U.S. 16 years ago after earning her Finance degree from Saint Mary’s University in Canada. She has been a Kirkland resident for more than ten years, where she lives with her two sons, Adrian, and Ryan. A financial services professional with Fearless Wealth, Beatriz is a champion for non-profits, including Dress for Success, the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce, and KAC. Beatriz believes that from creativity to collaboration, art teaches us some of the most important human values, and she’s excited to help increase access to quality art programs in Kirkland and the Eastside.
Carrie has been an artist and creator all her life, having grown up surrounded by a rich arts culture and boundless natural beauty in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. She has made Seattle her home for nearly 30 years and graduated from the University of Washington not once but three times, obtaining a B.S. in Construction Management in addition to professional certificates in Training & Development and Photography. Carrie has been involved in numerous historic building renovations and arts-related construction projects in the Seattle area during her career and is excited to lend her expertise to caring for the Peter Kirk Building. In addition to photography she loves watercolor journaling, encaustic painting, knitting, and working on her house.
Dawn is an art appraiser with more than 30 years of experience as a museum curator and art administrator. Originally from California, she earned an M.A. in Museology at John F. Kennedy University and completed archaeology field work in Pakistan and Tunisia. Dawn held positions as Associate Registrar for the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco and Senior Curator at the Marin History Museum. Since moving to Kirkland 14 years ago, Dawn has been Executive Director at VALA Eastside and served eight years on the Kirkland Cultural Arts Commission. While consulting as a Fine Art Appraiser, Dawn also enjoys painting in her home studio. As a passionate advocate for expanding art access in the community she volunteers with the National PTA Reflections Art Program and the Together Center Arts Council.
Vince was born and raised in the Seattle area and has lived in Kirkland for 20 years. After Attending Western Washington University, Vince started his career in tech and spent the last 25 years at Fortune 100 companies driving creative and engineering teams to deliver industry leading consumer electronic products. Vince has always been involved with the arts in one way or another and he believes that cities that promote and embrace the arts have healthier, happier, and more successful personal and professional communities. Vince has an unyielding commitment to nurturing artistic discourse and collaboration and is excited to bring his experience and dedication to helping KAC realize its vision.
Katherine is a lifelong resident of Kirkland. She attended Pacific Lutheran University and enjoyed an extensive career with Nordstrom, where her passion for design culminated in her rising to the position of European Designer Buyer. During this time, Katherine discovered a passion for travel, and frequently visited New York, Milan, Paris, and Florence to view designer collections. In 2015, Katherine began working with Windermere Real Estate as a luxury broker in the Kirkland area. She is grateful to partner with the Windermere Foundation, a non-profit that helps countless local families gain access to quality education, social services, and housing. Above all, Katherine values community and relationships. She believes that everyone deserves access to the arts and hopes to amplify KAC’s mission and vision.
Role of the Board
The Board of Directors plays a vital role in the leadership of Kirkland Arts Center. The Board provides the guidance and support necessary for KAC to fulfill its mission, vision, and goals. Board members actively participate in areas such as finance, marketing, fundraising, and strategic and event planning.
About Kirkland Arts Center (KAC)
Kirkland Arts Center is a nonprofit visual arts school and gallery, as well as the owner steward of the historic Peter Kirk Building. KAC was founded as the Creative Arts League in 1962 by artists and citizens who were interested in providing local opportunities in the arts and a passion for preserving the Peter Kirk Building.
For more than 60 years, KAC has owned and maintained this historic structure and transformed it into an exhibition gallery, community arts studio, and home to 2D and 3D art classrooms that serve Eastside students of all ages and skill levels.
KAC’s Mission
Kirkland Arts Center unleashes the power of art to ignite individual growth and self-expression, build community spirit, and cultivate cultural vibrancy.
Roles and Responsibilities of KAC’s Board of Directors
Each individual board member is expected to:
- commit to a three-year term;
- give a meaningful personal financial donation that places KAC in your top 3 philanthropic commitments annually;
- participate fully in one or more KAC standing committees;
- Understand the Fiduciary Responsibilities of a board;
- know the organization’s mission, policies, programs, and needs;
- follow the organization’s bylaws, policies, and board resolutions;
- Act as advocates and ambassadors for KAC, leveraging social networks and resources to support the organization;
- prepare for, attend, and conscientiously participate in monthly board meetings, especially faithfully reading and understanding the organization’s financial statements;
- maintain confidentiality about all internal matters of the organization.
To satisfy its fiduciary duties as the leadership body of the Kirkland Arts Center, the board of directors as a whole is responsible for:
- making key decisions regarding the organization’s mission, strategy, and goals;
- selecting and evaluating the performance of the executive director;
- strategic and organizational planning;
- ensuring strong fiduciary oversight and financial management;
- fundraising and resource development;
- enhancing the organization’s public image; and
- assessing its own performance as the governing body of the organization.
Advisory Council
- Susan Pappalardo, Co-Chair
- Brad Weed, Co-Chair
- John Adams
- Harmony Arnold
- Bill Ballantine
- Carol Belval
- Carl Bradley
- Merrily Dicks
- Ashwin Gonibeed
- Mary Lu Hawes
- Taylor Hawes
- Holly Koelling
- Joan McBride
- Suzy Mings
- Michael Monroe
- Marty Peterson
- Marcelo Prieto
- Susan Thurston