A film, arts, and technology leader with experience in the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, Gaines has held leadership positions at the Sundance Film Festival, the Hawai‘i International Film Festival, and the American Film Institute. For five years, he ran business development at Withoutabox, a film festival submissions platform acquired by IMDb, a division of Amazon. In 2013, Gaines became executive director of ArtPrize, a disruptive international art competition held annually in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he also served on the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and on the board of DisArt. In January of 2019, Gaines joined Creative West and has stewarded the organization through significant growth and into its next chapter as Creative West. He serves on the board of directors of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA), and recently began his service as chair of the US Regional Arts Organizations collective. Gaines is passionate about generating opportunity for artists and culture bearers, creating joyful spaces, and inspiring teams to do their best work.

Kaela Buffum Hogan supports Creative West’s executive director, deputy directors, and the board of trustees and is a key collaborator to the success of the leadership team and board as they lead the organization into the future. Buffum Hogan holds a BFA in performing arts and has over a decade of experience working in backstage hospitality and catering. Previous arts administration experience includes working as a classroom assistant in the Emerging Leaders Institute Classroom at the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) annual conference and as an Administrative Assistant and Guest Relations Coordinator for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (Region VII). In her free time she enjoys gardening, culinary arts, attending museums, and live music.

Christina Villa guides all operational and strategic business initiatives to support the execution of Creative West’s strategic plan and the short, medium, and long-term objectives of CaFE, CVSuite, GO Smart, Public Art Archive, and ZAPP. Serving as part of Creative West’s leadership resource team, Villa ensures the business department initiatives and projects complement the overall work of the organization and its guiding principles. Prior to joining Creative West, she worked with the city of Aurora, Colorado’s Art in Public Places program, and Colorado’s state arts agency, Colorado Creative Industries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Metropolitan State University of Denver and a leadership development certificate from the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation.

Ashley Arias assists in providing support for users of both the ZAPP® and CaFÉ™ programs to ensure customer satisfaction. Prior to joining Creative West, Arias worked as a medical assistant and COVID tester. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her fiance and kids and learning new tricks in the kitchen.

Michelle Martinez-Monday oversees the various financial aspects of the for-profit programs within Creative West. She is responsible for all financial activity of both of our largest programs, CaFE and ZAPPlication. Martinez-Monday also provides assistance to management with departmental financial budgeting, goals, and understanding of each program’s overall financial outlook through data analysis, reporting, meetings, and discussions with business staff. Additionally, Martinez-Monday’s position is client-facing to arts administrators. She assists administrators with financial issues related to the payouts, financial statements, and billing they receive from both CaFE and Zapplication. Personally, she is working on building her real estate investment portfolio. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Metropolitan State University Denver and is currently working on obtaining her CMA Certification in Accounting. Martinez-Monday has three adult children, one of whom also works at Creative West. During her downtime, she enjoys time with family, traveling, eating delicious food, watching movies, and reading the occasional book when time permits.

Mareike Bergen oversees the ZAPP product operations team to ensure customer satisfaction and retention along with technological growth for the ZAPP site. Bergen has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics with a computer science minor from Bethel College and a background in customer service and event planning. Originally from Kansas, she relocated to Denver after graduating from college. Outside of work, she enjoys snowboarding, hiking, and cooking.

Drew Chavez assists in providing customer support for the ZAPP program. Prior to joining Creative West, he worked as a sales representative and dog walker in the Denver metropolitan area. In his spare time, Chavez enjoys playing basketball and passing the time by going to the gym, reading, and spending time in nature.

Ken Cho primarily handles the sales efforts for CaFÉ and ZAPP. He is responsible for all inbound and outside sales initiatives that promote Creative West’s SaaS (Software As A Service) platforms while also coordinating with all related internal departments to create an exemplary customer service experience for all of Creative West’s clientele. Prior to joining Creative West, Cho lived on the East Coast in Washington, DC, and served as the senior local foods advocate for 4P Foods, a benefit corporation dedicated to helping small-scale organic farmers thrive in today’s food economy. Cho holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Elmhurst College. Outside of the office, he enjoys bicycle touring and fancy bike rides such as the Tweed Ride (where he met his wife, Laine), and is fascinated by 3D printing.

Kelsey Foster supports GO Smart and CVSuite operations through day-to-day customer support and technical troubleshooting. Foster assists customers in contract renewals, composing one-on-one training sessions with clients, and responding to client emails and questions. Foster grew up in Colorado and earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in creative writing from the University of Colorado Denver. She is also a proud member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, and watching films.

Lori Goldstein is the senior manager of Creative West’s Public Art Archive. Goldstein is responsible for the system’s long-term planning, product development, and for overseeing the addition of public art collections to the Archive. Prior to joining Creative West, she served as public art and program manager for the Arts Council of Lake Oswego, Oregon. Prior to working at the Arts Council, she served as a contractor for the Archive during its formative years. Goldstein has also served as the public art assistant at Braaksma Design, a public art studio with projects that have been commissioned across the country. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Colorado College and a master’s degree in art history with an emphasis on public art from the University of Colorado Boulder. Goldstein currently serves as the Board President of the non-profit Art Garage in Denver and on the board of Public Art Dialogue.

Jessica Gronich is Creative West’s GO Smart and CVSuite program manager. In that capacity, she oversees the GOSmart™ and CVSuite Coordinator to ensure customer satisfaction and retention. She manages strategic and operational planning as well as collaborating with the marketing and technology teams to help guide the growth of these programs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Texas at Austin. Prior to joining Creative West, Gronich spent the majority of her career working for nonprofit organizations in the areas of international relations, policy, and education.

Ayanna Hwang provides customer support for the ZAPP and CaFÉ programs. She is currently seeking an advertising and media studies degree at the University of Colorado. She will then continue her education at the Denver School of Traditional Chinese Medicine to study holistic medicine. Prior to her position at Creative West, Hwang worked in marketing for water conservation as well as for a nonprofit organization promoting cultural awareness. Outside of work she enjoys painting, going to festivals/concerts and photography.

Amelia Leinbach supports various ZAPP operations and processes, including contract renewals, client communication, and technical growth. Leinbach grew up in Colorado and earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Colorado State University. One of her favorite art pieces is “O Pescador de Violão” by Marcel Caram. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, watching tv, and eating pasta.

Erika McCloud contributes to Creative West’s business initiatives through overseeing contracts for CaFÉ and ZAPP, managing payment processing, and handling mail. McCloud is currently pursuing a business degree. In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling, cooking, painting, and cherishing moments with loved ones.

Aliah Ramirez assists in providing customer support for the ZAPP and CaFÉ programs. She is currently attending Red Rocks Community College and will soon transfer to the University of Colorado to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and kids and reading.

Jenna Sansonette assists customers with numerous ZAPP processes to ensure success on the platform. Her focus is onboarding new clients, holding new administrator orientations, and assisting clients with additional ZAPP services. Prior to joining WESTAF, she was the Director of Customer Support for an international fair trade organization, working with artisans on a global scale. She has recently completed Front-End Development courses through the University of Illinois Springfield and plans to continue her education in UX design and web development.

Tyler Speller serves as a customer experience coordinator for Creative West’s CaFÉ program. She holds an associate’s degree from Casper College, Wyoming, where she proudly attended college on a full-ride scholarship for volleyball. In addition to providing customer support for the program, Speller is a health and wellness advocate and is currently completing two certificates in Certified Personal Fitness and Nutritional Coaching. Prior to her position at Creative West, she worked in other realms of customer support, as well as early childhood education. Outside of work, she enjoys fitness, the outdoors, and a wide range of the arts and cultural expression, including painting, dancing, and writing, to name a few. And, of course, she loves her family, as her most important role on earth is being a mother first to her princess daughter!

Raquel Vasquez is the senior manager for the CaFÉ (CallforEntry) project at Creative West and is responsible for the overall administrative performance of the system, working to ensure that the project’s effectiveness as a software service supports Creative West’s mission to benefit the arts and creative industries. In this capacity she plays an active role in program operations and software improvement, and works closely with the business and technical operations team on design, specifications, testing, deployment and marketing to ensure end user requirements and program success are a priority. Vaquez holds a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Metropolitan State University of Denver and a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Denver. She is a recipient of the IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Scholarship and a member of Beta Phi Mu.

Alison Verplaetse supports the operations of the Public Art Archive program through public art data management and client customer support. Alison began her career as an academic librarian and conservator of books and paper, during which time she held positions at University of Colorado Boulder and Harvard University. Her interests in conservation and art led her to a role at a Denver-based public art fabrication and conservation studio, where she was a sculpture fabricator for many years. Prior to joining Creative West, she served as the exhibit design & fabrication manager at the Children’s Museum of Denver. Alison has masters degrees in library science and art history from Indiana University Bloomington and a bachelor’s degree in studio art from University of Indianapolis.

Natalie Villa manages the communication and technical processes among the internal technology team, the program teams, and external development companies for CaFÉ, CVSuite, GO Smart, Public Art Archive, and ZAPP. She creates and manages technical and business project plans, coordinates technical releases and sprints, aids in the development of new site features, supports the director of business, and acts as the technical accessibility manager. In addition to her project management work, Villa is an independent filmmaker who produces content for Creative West including the 50th Anniversary documentary series, Creative West Turns 50. She has received awards for her personal film work as well, including Best Amateur Film and Audience Choice awards at the Ridgway Moonwalk Film Festival and Best Documentary Short Film at the Oklahoma Cine Latino Film Festival for her short film, With the Power of a Thousand Suns. Villa earned a bachelor’s degree in film and television from the University of Colorado Denver.

An alumna of Creative West’s Emerging Leaders of Color program, Cynthia Chen manages Creative West’s public policy and advocacy programs and services. Creative West’s AAP division leads the organization’s efforts to strengthen advocacy for the arts at local, state, and national levels; support state arts agencies across 13 states in the West; and connect and mobilize a western network of artists, administrators, public officials, and influencers within and outside the arts field to build awareness of arts-related issues to drive legislation and policy. She is a versatile arts and cultural professional with diverse experiences in the sector from local to international levels. Trilingual in English, French, and Mandarin, Chen has helped with the production of cultural projects in the United States, France, China, and Taiwan for institutions such as the Centre Pompidou and Musée d’Orsay. Raised in Salt Lake City, Chen began her career working as a legislative fellow for the Utah Cultural Alliance and at the nationally-recognized youth media arts nonprofit, Spy Hop Productions. Most recently, she was part of the team that developed Creative Washington: Growing and Strengthening the Creative Economy, a statewide strategic plan for the Washington State Department of Commerce. Chen graduated from the University of Utah where she majored in flute performance and minored in political science. She also holds a master’s degree in public policy with the distinction of summa cum laude from Sciences Po Paris.

Previously director of the Guam Council on the Arts and Humanities Agency, Sandy Flores Moylan is passionate about cultural education and the arts. Moylan’s career includes creating organizations and programs in San Diego, California that support the indigenous CHamoru diaspora. Moylan was a founding member of the House of Chamorros organization in San Diego, helping to raise more than $500K to build the first permanent physical structure in the United States to represent the Chamorro culture. The house is now part of the International Cottages in Balboa Park, San Diego and the first to represent the Pacific community. The Uno Hit program that Moylan helped to found continues to educate youth in CHamorro language, song and dance in tuition free weekly classes. Moylan joined Creative West in March 2024 as the Pacific Jurisdictions Coordinator, working with the state art agencies of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam to navigate their new integration with Creative West. Moylan has a degree in Anthropology from Northwestern University and a Masters in Peace and Justice from the University of San Diego.

Cameron Green’s career at Creative West evolved rapidly from Executive Coordinator to Executive Manager to now the Regional Engagement Manager. He manages programs such as the State Arts Agency Innovation Fund, the ED Forum and Teleconference, and the State Arts Agency Roundtable. During his time as Executive Manager, he led the development of an Adaptive Plan using the framework created by Bridgespan and supported the Creative West Board of Trustees. Green previously served as the Art Show Coordinator at the Cheyenne Frontier Days(™) Old West Museum where led the Western Spirit Juried Art Show and Sale and the Cheyenne Frontier Days(™) Invitational Western Art Show and Sale to thrive during the COVID-19 Pandemic. He also brought innovative change to the Annual Museum Gala. He was the statewide Wyoming History Day Coordinator at the American Heritage Center. Green is a 2024 alumna of Colorado Business Committee for the Arts’ Leadership Arts program. He was a 2021 Creative West Emerging Leader of Color Alumni (Wyoming) and graduated with his MA in History with a minor in Gender and Women’s Studies from the University of Wyoming in December 2018. During his time at the University of Wyoming, he was the 2016 Multicultural Affairs Graduate Teaching Assistant; a recipient of the Sen. Malcolm Wallace Fund for Conversation on Democracy, the Dick and Lynne Cheney Study Abroad Grant, and the UW Dean’s Award for Outstanding Graduate Research; he was the student research lead for the Cambodian Artifact and Repatriation Team (CAM-ART); and was an installation assistant for Sharon Louden’s Windows exhibition at UWAM. Green has been a grant panelist for Creative Forces (2022), the New Jersey State Arts Council’s GOS and GPS (2024), and TourWest (2023, 2024).

Anika Tené (she/her) is the Director of Grants, Awards and Programs, where she leads initiatives that empower artists, arts organizations, and communities through equitable funding, resources, and learning experiences. She is fueled by her passion for connecting with diverse networks of artists and cultural leaders across the region, and takes great pride in the exceptional work of her team, highlighted below. Tené has significantly expanded the organization’s flagship Leaders of Color Network, launching the Leaders of Color Network Professional Development Fund, the National Leaders of Color Fellowship Program, and the Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Artist Fund. Additionally, she has co-designed national programs with five other U.S. regional arts organizations, including ArtsHERE and Cultural Sustainability, prioritizing equity goals in every endeavor. Prior to her current role, Tené managed national learning programs at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where she focused on ensuring equitable access to arts education for public school students. Her diverse experience in the arts also encompasses roles as a music and arts director, stage manager, producer, as well as work in art galleries and in subscription sales. Tené is a dedicated community leader, having served as a local arts commission chair and past board chair of the Arts Administrators of Color Network. Currently, she sits on the board for Mason Arts at George Mason University. Tené is also a certified life coach, specializing in empowering creatives. She holds degrees from Howard University, American University, George Mason University, and a diploma from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa.

Josh Ellis plays a key role in facilitating and managing Creative West’s BIPOC programs and initiatives using equity-based grantmaking practices to foster national impact. His previous roles include being an orchestra manager at multiple organizations, where he managed youth orchestras with over 500 students, handled faculty and guest artist contracts, and created and implemented programming schedules. He also held positions at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Patron Services and at the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts as an opera arts administration intern, where he developed artist information for the program season and conducted research on opera artist relief during the spring of 2020. Ellis’s volunteer work reflects his commitment to arts advocacy and equity. He has been an active member of the Arlington Commission for the Arts, contributing to increased arts funding for the county and lobbying the VA legislature. Additionally, he secured funding and co-hosted awards ceremonies for the Prince William County Arts Council. Most recently, he was offered a position to be on the Planning Committee for the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) Conference – the world’s premier gathering of the performing arts presenting, booking, and touring industry. Ellis holds a Master of Arts in Arts Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from George Mason University.

Ashanti McGee is an artist and arts advocate who has called Las Vegas, Nevada home for over 25 years. She began her arts administrative work assisting local grassroots and nonprofits with grant writing and management and continued working in this area for over a decade. In 2014, she was selected as the Nevada representative for Creative West’s Emerging Leaders of Color program and has served as a panelist for Creative West’s Arts Leadership and Advocacy Seminar. She most recently served as a district representative for Nevada Congresswoman Susie Lee, focusing on outreach for Black, Native American, and LGBTQ+ communities around arts and culture and environment and public lands. A proud mom of four, McGee has committed her work to arts and education, including updating arts education standards for the Nevada Department of Education; serving as a board member for Cultural Alliance of Nevada, a statewide arts advocacy organization; cofounding the Las Vegas Womxn of Color Arts Festival, and acting as a core member of NUWU Cultural Arts + Activism complex, a POC-owned and operated space in Las Vegas that works to uplift all communities by strengthening cultural knowledge and identity through the arts, activism, and education.

Marcelina is a seasoned professional with a diverse background spanning higher education administration, arts advocacy, and community engagement. With experience as a former higher education administrator at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Ramirez brings strategic insight and community-oriented leadership to her work. As the inaugural artist-in-residence for Colorado College, Ramirez played a pivotal role in educating Southern Colorado on critical issues such as Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) and the pandemic’s impact on Women of Color. Her initiatives underscore her commitment to using art as a tool for social change and education. An accomplished Latin dancer, Ramirez is a respected member of the Latisha Hardy Dance company, contributing to the vibrancy and diversity of the dance community. Through her leadership, she fosters a welcoming and inclusive space for cultural expression and collaboration. In the theater world, Ramirez is actively involved in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives (most recently on an advisory board for PHAMALY theater company for a more diverse accessibility space) while performing in theaters across the Rocky Mountains. Ramirez is also a published poet, with a focus on themes of love, magic, and family. Her writing reflects her Indigenous Latina identity and serves as a powerful medium for storytelling and connection.

Sierra Scott has over 20 years of experience in varied sectors of the arts and culture industry from non-profit arts administration to grantmaking for state and local arts agencies. Most recently, Sierra was the Arts & Culture Supervisor for Carson City, Nevada where she managed the public art program and implemented the city’s Arts & Culture Strategic Plan. Prior to this, Sierra worked at the state level with arts organizations and artists throughout Nevada as the Grants and Projects Analyst for the Nevada Arts Council. Sierra is also a practicing performing artist and arts educator. After earning a BFA in Theater Arts from the Conservatory at Webster University, Sierra performed across the country in touring and regional theater productions. She also worked as a Casting Director in Los Angeles and New York City and cast film and television projects for studios including Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox, Sony, NBC, ABC, and CBS. Sierra is currently the Vice Chair of the City of Reno Arts and Culture Commission, is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Nevada, Reno, and serves on the board of The Reno Generator, a local maker space for artists. Scott lives in Reno, Nevada.

Leah Horn provides leadership and strategic oversight for Creative West’s marketing and communications activities. She leads the organization’s brand messaging and storytelling initiatives to build relationships with its diverse networks and constituencies. Working collaboratively with the senior leadership team on the organization’s strategic initiatives, she guides the strategy for all communications activities, including website, social media, digital and content marketing, advertising, media and public relations, branding and collateral to broaden the impact of Creative West’s programs and services. Prior to joining Creative West, Horn managed a congressional campaign in Wisconsin. She previously served as a law firm administrator in Arizona and spent a decade in retail management, working in visual merchandising and product development for a worldwide clothing and accessories retailer and then for a leading international sports apparel company. Her background includes over 20 years of experience in meeting and event planning. She has served as a grant panelist for Colorado Creative Industries and the National Endowment for the Arts and as a panelist and speaker at the Artist Communities Alliance (ACA) Conference. She is a former Chair of the Denver County Cultural Council, the city-council-appointed body that distributes Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) Tier III funds to cultural organizations in Denver, having previously served as vice-chair and secretary. Horn received dual bachelor’s degrees in sociology (gender studies) and journalism (media studies) from the University of Colorado Boulder after transferring from the music program at the University of California, Los Angeles. She holds a master’s degree in communication from the University of Colorado Denver and is a certified breathwork and Pranayama facilitator. She will complete her yoga instructor certification (YTT-300) in the winter. She has a background in (and love for) music performance and theory and trained in classical ballet for 11 years. An avid outdoor enthusiast and animal lover, Horn spends much of her free time outside with her Yorkie, (mini) Cooper.

Brittany Howell brings over 10 years of experience in marketing, communications, and event planning to her role at Creative West. As Events Manager, she oversees all phases of planning for Creative West’s convenings, working closely with multiple departments and teams to develop, produce, and execute a range of meetings and events. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications with a marketing minor from the University of Wyoming.

Outside of work, Howell enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and spending time with her terrier, Olive.

Samantha Ortega assists in planning and executing comprehensive marketing strategies for Creative West’s technology products that drive leads, opportunities, and sales. Ortega manages the organization’s online public profile and presence and increases online engagement with Creative West’s products and services across all platforms. She develops and implements social media strategies for Creative West’s products, services and convenings and also assists in coordinating and planning various conferences, meetings, and events. Ortega holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Texas at El Paso. She has a background in event marketing and has assisted in managing the media for events featuring performers such as Elton John, Guns N’ Roses, Cirque du Soleil, and more. In her spare time, she enjoys music, spending time with her loved ones, and the outdoors.

Natalie Scherlong works to broaden the organization’s impact through internal and external communication strategy development and coordinates and implements the day-to-day activities that support Creative West’s communications, public relations, brand management, and strategic initiatives. Scherlong has a background in digital marketing, content creation, social media, and customer service. Her experience in these fields includes leading a panel alongside the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and serving as an active Colorado member of the Public Relations Society of America. In her spare time, she enjoys photography, spending time with her pets, traveling, and reading.

Amy Hollrah manages all aspects of Creative West’s financial activity, human resources, office management, and legal review with an exceptional team of four staff members. Hollrah loves building new processes and policies and has greatly enjoyed her tenure at Creative West, which began in 2012. Prior to joining Creative West, Hollrah worked for the Colorado Environmental Coalition in Denver and spent 10 years in San Diego working in regional theater as general manager at San Diego Repertory Theatre and as associate general manager at La Jolla Playhouse. Her first director of finance position was with Volunteer San Diego. Prior to that, she worked at the Guthrie and State Theatres in Minneapolis as well as Great Barrington Stage Company in Great Barrington, MA. Hollrah holds a bachelor’s degree in arts administration from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She is an avid trail runner and recently moved to Evergreen, CO where she’s surrounded by pine trees.

Rebecca Dominguez began her career at Creative West as a customer experience coordinator and quickly moved into the finance department as a finance associate, before becoming the HR and office manager. Prior to joining Creative West, she honed her customer service skills working for the Colorado Department of Revenue and for the Credit Union of Colorado. Dominguez holds an English degree with a literature concentration as well as a human resources management certification. In her free time, Dominguez enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Jessica Martinez joined the Creative West finance team as a part-time finance coordinator in September 2019. In this position, Martinez supports the complex financial and human resources operations of the finance and administration department with organizational skills, attention to detail, and consistency. She currently works part time while attending Aurora Community College to earn her certificate in Human Resources. She enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and hiking.

Curiosity led Michelle Reilly to move sight unseen from Boston to Denver, where she is honored to have found a place helping nonprofit organizations strive to create something of value for the communities they serve. She has worked for a variety of first-rate scientific and cultural arts organizations, including: Swallow Hill Music, RedLine Contemporary Art, the Denver Botanic Gardens, and MCA Denver. Reilly draws inspiration from many places and is influenced by creative expression, things that grow, collective endeavors that challenge hierarchy, acts of compassion, downright silliness, and a respect for all living things. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and art history from Boston University as well as a bookkeeping certificate from Red Rocks Community College. Reilly is also CNAP (Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional) certified. When not living in the land of ledgers, Reilly loves to get outside to enjoy a hike in the mountains, explore a new exhibition or performance around town, have play time with her pets, or share a meal and a laugh with friends.

Lauren Wilson oversees the ins and outs of Creative West’s finances. She works on reconciliations, data integration, data analysis, and managing our accounting system update. Working across every department, she streamlines operations and strives to make financial management understandable and interesting for program managers and stakeholders alike. Prior to joining Creative West, Wilson worked in community solar energy. She has presented at the Belvedere Museum, Mint Museum, and RedLine Contemporary Art Center as an art historian. Wilson graduated with a degree in art history with a concentration in gender and sexuality studies. She continues to devote her life to the arts through organizations such as Tilt West and by practicing her own paintings and mixed media works in her spare time.

Paul Nguyen leads the technology strategy for Creative West’s web services, business intelligence, security, compliance and implementation, digital marketing tools, data architecture, and more. He has a successful history of guiding Creative West’s SaaS products, having served in various tech roles from 2007-2019 and, more recently, advising on Creative West’s board of trustees. Before returning to Creative West in his current role, Nguyen was a product manager at JumpCloud, where he developed internal and external data strategy and brought to market several innovative B2B data products and API for IT professionals and security-forward companies. He leverages his experience and insight in data and technology to advance Creative West’s initiatives in arts, policy, and social equity. Nguyen holds a bachelor’s degree in illustration from Parsons School of Design and a master’s degree in data science from Regis University. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, gardening, and exploring Colorado.

Ajitha Kanapala is a senior quality assurance professional with more than 10 years of experience in the IT industry, specializing in software testing. Throughout her career, Kanapala has worked as a quality assurance analyst and test lead across various domains, including banking, insurance, airlines, telecommunications, mortgages and healthcare. She has extensive experience developing test plans for mobile, manual and automated testing, leveraging industry-leading tools and methodologies to deliver high-quality software. Kanapala’s expertise centers on improving efficiency and reliability throughout the software development lifecycle. She earned a bachelor’s degree in electronics and communications engineering from Nagarjuna University in 2011. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, baking with her elder child, and sharing their creations on YouTube. A passionate foodie, she also enjoys exploring new restaurants and discovering unique dining experiences.

Jonathan Cantwell works closely with project coordinators and the rest of the technology staff to maintain and expand Creative West’s capacity to provide software tools to artists and organizations. They bring their expertise in coordinating a team of software engineers at Synacor, handling individual client needs, and configuring white-label web portals and other software products for major ISPs, and upgrading outdated code bases while maintaining necessary functionality. They’ve had a lifelong interest in user experience and web accessibility, having started web development as a hobby to support and enhance the usability of the web portal of a collaborative fiction community they grew up with. Cantwell earned their bachelor’s degree in computer science from SUNY Buffalo in 2009, and was a semi-finalist for the Microsoft Imagine Cup in their senior year for a project in which they and their team built assistive technology for neurodivergent and disabled students and their teachers and caretakers.

Ben Casalino began working at Creative West in late 2018. Casalino’s entire life has existed at the crossroads of art/design and technology, which has manifested itself across all his past work and experience. Casalino studied graphic design at Arizona State University before living in Portland, Oregon for five years. During that time, he grew his technical understanding while working for WACOM Americas, a global company that creates interactive tablet/stylus displays for artists and animators. After relocating to Colorado in 2016, he worked as a web developer for a Boulder-based digital marketing agency and for Vail Resorts Inc., Colorado’s leading ski resort company. Casalino has won multiple art contests that featured his designs on the Phoenix Suns game program cover. Casalino is a graduate of Galvanize’s Web Development Immersive program, a full stack programming school in Denver.

Brett O’Connor is a lifetime lover and learner of computers and technology. He brings with him decades of experience in the technology industry, where he held an array of diverse roles ranging from a web server administrator to a startup CTO. After spending the most recent part of his career as a private consultant serving a variety of Denver-area small businesses and organizations, Brett joined Creative West and the nonprofit world, eager to have his skills make a more meaningful impact. Brett is an avid writer, reader, and music lover. When not on his computer, he can be found walking his dog around the mountains of Colorado.