Senior Staff Bios
Joseph A. Collins, President & CEO
A veteran in the fields of arts, education and youth development, Joseph has spent most of his career providing opportunities for youth to express themselves and improve their lives by creating safe and nurturing arts rich environments in NY, LA and Chicago. As CEO of the Kanye West Foundation he led the implementation of the Loop Dreams™ program, a year-round music and education program that exposed youth from the inner city to the arts and executive produced the nationally televised stay-in-school concert series S.H.O.W. (Students Helping Our World). Joseph spent his early career working for two of the premiere nonprofit agencies in New York City, University Settlement and The Door – A Center of Alternatives, a nonprofit youth agency serving over 10,000 young people a year. Under Joseph’s leadership, he grew the visual and performing arts programs, launched a national career awareness model for out-of-school youth, and led the partnerships of several New York City school programs. He also created and produced Roots! An Intergenerational Hip Hop Culture Celebration, a year-long arts and education initiative; developed comprehensive arts-in-education programs; as well as implemented a rigorous college preparation program, and managed a multi-year summer residential community service project. Joseph holds both a bachelor’s and Masters degree from New York University.
Sharyn Church, Deputy Director
Sharyn Church began her career in nonprofit management as an accountant with
a national firm in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, specializing in the firm's
nonprofit practice. Before joining Inner-City Arts in 2001, Sharyn worked
at a variety of museums and cultural institutions, including the Los Angeles
County Museum of Art and the Craft and Folk Art Museum in Los Angeles. At Inner-City
Arts, Sharyn has served in several key roles including Founding Director of
the Inner-City Arts - Annenberg Professional Development Program and Director
of Development; she was named Deputy Director of Inner-City Arts in January
2007. A member of ArtTable, Los Angeles, Sharyn holds a BS in Accounting and
an MA in Art History and Museum Studies, both from the University of Southern
California, and attended Stanford University's Graduate School of Business
Executive Education Program, and the Getty's Museum Leadership Institute. Contact
Us
Beth Tishler, Director of Education & Community Programs
Beth Tishler believes in the power of creativity, and how potent the arts can be for young people in their learning. As Director of Education & Community Programs at Inner-City Arts, Beth has spent over 16 years working with students, teachers, artists and school communities at the center, and in the greater Los Angeles area. With a background in the performing arts, Beth brings her teaching and administrative experience to her work, having spent 25 years as a performing arts instructor and administrator throughout southern California. Beth has created diverse arts education programs throughout southern California, including Kids on Stage, the Camp for the Performing Arts, Let's Dance! and Bruin Kids at UCLA. Beth holds a B.A. in Drama & Dance, an M.A. in Dance Education, and an M.A. in Arts Administration. With a successful career in teaching and administering arts education programs throughout the city, Beth now coaches other people to achieve the same success. In 1998, having spent seven years as Inner-City Arts' first Executive Director, Beth fulfilled a desire to continue to work directly with students, teachers, artists and the community by creating her current position as Director of Education & Community Programs. Contact
Us
Jan Kirsch, Director of Professional Development
After 16 years as a professional dancer, teaching artist, educator, event producer and social justice activist in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, in 1993, Jan came to teach at Inner-City Arts. Passionate about the possibilities of the arts and creative expression for children, youth and community, Jan's work as Director of Professional Development allows her to bring that vision of possibility to over 1,000 classroom teachers, teaching artists and after school providers each year. Since assuming her current position in 2003, Jan has sought and forged collaborations with other academic institutions and community organizations and frequently shares her expertise at workshops, conferences and festivals nationally and internationally. Jan received a BA in Social Sciences (Education, Psychology and Dance) from UC Berkeley and, since coming to Inner-City Arts, has been working to articulate the "magic" of what occurs in the studios here and find bridges to bringing those possibilities into the public education arena. Contact
Us
Susie Goliti, Director of Operations
Susie Goliti's success in the corporate sector has proven to be a significant
asset to Inner-City Arts. Prior to joining the staff, as Director of Administration
in 2003, Susie managed large accounts in the computer industry, overseeing
$40 million in sales to AAA of Northern California, Kaiser Permanente and Blue
Shield of California. She carried a series 7 license while working as a commodities
broker. Early in her career, she worked as a travel agent, coordinating travel
for more than 100 executives of the Fireman's Fund Executive Travel Division.
Susie brings her formal human resource training, conflict resolution skills,
and management and organizational expertise to her position. She is deeply
involved in all fundraising, governance, management and facilities aspects
of the organization. Personally, Susie is a talented painter and it was her
love of the arts and a desire to give back to the next generation that prompted
her to create and implement a successful fundraising project for Inner-City
Arts before she even visited the campus. Susie has a BS in Marketing with a
minor in Tourism. Contact
Us
Ofelia de los Santos, Chief Financial Officer
Ofelia de los Santos has 10 years of nonprofit accounting and 17 years of bank
accounting experience. Her resume includes accounting experience in manufacturing,
construction and real estate management, and 10 years in bank operations. She
joined Inner-City Arts in March 1999. Prior to that, she was the Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer of a bank in Alhambra for 9 1/2 years. She graduated
Cum Laude from the University of the East-Philippines and holds a BS in Business
Administration, major in Accounting. She passed the Philippines' CPA board
exams in 1971.
Tom Grond, Director of Facilities
Tom Grond is beginning his fourth year as the Director of Facilities at Inner-City Arts. Tom has over 20 years of theatrical touring experience, having toured with dance companies and performers such as Bella Lewitzky, Margalit Oved, the Aman Folk Ensemble and Kenny Rodgers. He has toured 300 cities, 41 states and three countries. Tom worked as a Production Stage Manager at UCLA Royce Hall, coordinating technical aspects of 150 shows per year. Additionally, He worked as an Outdoor Adventure Teacher for children and adults with disabilities, as well as a one-on-one aide for students with Autism. Specializing in technical theater and production, Tom received a Bachelor's of Fine Arts from UC Irvine, and holds a California State teaching credential. Tom shares his gifts of coordination, management creativity and theater experiences here at Inner-City Arts, with the staff, artists, students and schools we serve. Contact
Us
The Brilliance of
Their Own Future
"We have created a learning environment that goes far beyond experimenting with art supplies and playing dress up. It is a bridge between the demands of the often-difficult lives of our children and the world of academic achievement. Our young people have a safe place to create and believe in the brilliance of their own future—where students dream into being a new vision for their lives."
Bob Bates
Co-Founder & Artistic Director
Inner-City Arts
