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.
Maryam is from Mauritius and moved to the U.S. 20 years ago. She holds a bachelor’s degree in French
and a master’s degree in project management. Maryam has more than 15 years of progressive
responsibility leading critical business and program management, localization, and globalization projects
for top technology and game developers such as Big Fish Games, NCSoft, Hasbro, Wizards of the Coast
and Meta. She currently lives in Kirkland with her husband and three-year-old daughter Hannah. Having
spent her childhood in a multicultural country and speaking multiple languages, Maryam believes in
connecting people through culture, arts, and diversity and is honored to serve on the board of the Kirkland
Arts Center.
Jaime previously served on the KAC Gala Committee and is honored to continue her support of the Kirkland Arts Center. After graduating from UCSD, Jaime moved to the Seattle area where she enjoyed a career in Stage Management (Seattle Rep, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Opera, ACT, and S.I.F.F.) before transitioning to the video games industry as a producer in publishing and marketing. Jaime currently helps to sustain arts education within the Lake Washington School District as an Art Docent at her daughter’s elementary school.
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.
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.
Join the Board
Join our team of dynamic leaders, visionaries, and arts enthusiasts and help Kirkland Arts Center continue to grow and thrive. KAC is always looking to recruit members on its Board of Directors. Board members provide 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, strategy, and board governance.
Advisory Council
- Susan Pappalardo, Co-Chair
- Brad Weed, Co-Chair
- Bill Ballantine
- Carol Belval
- Carl Bradley
- Merrily Dicks
- Ashwin Gonibeed
- Taylor Hawes
- Joan McBride
- Suzy Mings
- Michael Monroe
- Marty Peterson
- Marcelo Prieto
- Susan Thurston