webinar presenters

Patti Saraniero, Professor of Theatre and Education, University of San Diego
Dr. Patti Saraniero is an independent program evaluator for a wide variety of arts organizations, nonprofits, and school districts. She is also a lecturer in the theater departments at the University of San Diego and University of California, San Diego. Her research and evaluation interests focus on teaching artists in public schools, arts education with English language learners, and organizational behavior in arts organizations. Previously, she directed the education programs at La Jolla Playhouse and the Old Globe Theatre. She also worked as a stage manager at a number of regional theatres around the country.

Mitch Menchaca, Senior Director of Programs, Arizona Commission on the Arts
Mitch Menchaca is the senior director of programs at the Arizona Commission on the Arts, where he manages the agency’s programs and initiatives for organizations and communities. He serves on the board of directors of the Museum Association of Arizona, the Association of American Cultures, and served as vice chair for the City of Casa Grande Arts and Humanities Commission. He is a member of the Arizona Council for Enhancing Recreation and Tourism; the Governor’s Arizona Mexico Commission and serves on the Americans for the Arts Emerging Leaders Council. Mitch has presented at numerous state-wide and national conferences including the Governor’s Rural Economic Development Conference, the Governor’s Conference on Tourism, Atlatl’s National Native Arts biennial at the National Museum of the American Indian, and at the Americans for the Arts Annual Convention.

Gay Hanna, Executive Director, National Center for Creative Aging
Gay Powell Hanna, Ph.D., M.F.A., an arts administration leader with 30 years' management experience in the arts, education, and health-related program services, is the executive director of the National Center for Creative Aging (NCCA), an affiliate of George Washington University. NCCA is an interdisciplinary nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering an understanding of the vital relationship between creative expression and the quality of life for older people regardless of their ethnicity, economic status or level of physical or cognitive functioning. Designated by the National Endowment for the Arts as a lead agency, NCCA provides professional development and technical assistance including service as a clearinghouse for best practices, research and policy development to encourage and sustain arts and humanities program in various community and healthcare settings.

Lisa May Simpson, Program Director, Illinois Arts Council
Lisa May Simpson facilitates networking and professional development opportunities for arts leaders throughout Illinois and also manages key internal functions of the Illinois Arts Alliance (IAA). She heads up the development and delivery of the biennial One State: Together in the Arts conference, the Local Arts Network (both in partnership with the Illinois Arts Council), Peer Coaching Circles, Mentor Connection Service, and other leadership and capacity-building programs. Prior to joining the IAA team in 2000, Lisa served as a counselor for the Feminist Women's Health Center in Renton, WA. She holds a BA in theater from Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA, and has performed with a number of theater companies in Chicago, including Lookingglass Theatre Company, The Hypocrites, the Neo-Futurists, and BlindFaith Theatre. Lisa currently serves on the board of directors of Chicago Health Connection.

Ra Joy, Executive Director, Illinois Arts Alliance
Ra Joy is an artist and arts advocate with extensive experience in public policy and the congressional arena. As executive director for one of the premier statewide advocacy organization's in the nation, Mr. Joy oversees research, capacity building, and communication efforts to advance widespread support for the arts and arts education in Illinois. Prior to joining the Illinois Arts Alliance, Mr. Joy served for six years as a senior staffer for U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-9). Motivated by the belief that democracy is a verb and the instinct to be creative is universal, Mr. Joy serves as chair of the Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival and is a member of the board of directors for Mikva Challenge.  He was selected as a fellow for the 2005 class of Leadership Greater Chicago and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Southern Illinois University. Born and raised in Evanston, IL, he currently resides in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood with his wife, Falona, and their three sons.

Ron Evans, Director of Local Marketing & Technology, Artsopolis
Ron Evans is an innovator in arts marketing and audience development using technology. As the principal user experience and functionality designer behind the Artsopolis.com calendaring software, his creations have helped Artsopolis to become a national model for collaborative arts marketing. His primary area of interest is the exploration and research of emerging technologies to expand arts audiences and enhance the marketing efforts of arts and cultural organizations. He is a frequent speaker at regional and national conferences, including the National Arts Marketing Project (NAMP), the Association for Performing Arts Service Organizations (APASO) and Arts Reach. He has a history in the field of social interactions using technology, beginning with his 5-year stint in the videogame industry, as a producer and graphic designer for several hit game titles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film & Video from Columbia College Chicago, and is a member of Americans for the Arts.

Robert L. Lynch, President and CEO, Americans for the Arts
Bob is the president and CEO of Americans for the Arts, where he has served since the organization’s inception in 1996. Previously, he was executive director of the National Assembly of Local Arts Agencies for 12 years, and managed the successful merger of that organization with the American Council for the Arts to form Americans for the Arts. Now in his 30th year of work for the arts industry, he has been motivated by his personal mission to empower communities and leaders to advance the arts and to advance appreciation for the arts in society. He has delivered and presented more than 1,000 speeches and workshops in 49 states and eight countries for audiences ranging from Native American tribal gatherings to the U.S. Armed Forces in Europe to the president of the United States. He is currently on the boards of the Craft Emergency Relief Fund and the United Arts Organization of Washington, DC.