Over the years, I’ve loved contributing to non-profits, volunteer initiatives, and outreach programs. From hands-on events like We*Care—where designers help Boys & Girls Club kids create personalized holiday gifts—to designing award-winning pet habitats for PAWS' Petchitecture fundraiser, I’m always eager to use design as a force for good.
LEAP | ARTS IN EDUCATION
TEAM CAPTAIN > COMMITTEE MEMBER > COMMITTEE CHAIR > BOARD OF DIRECTORS > CHAIR OF THE BOARD
One organization that has left a lasting impact on me is Leap: Arts in Education, which provides quality arts education to elementary schools affected by major budget cuts due to Prop. 13.
My journey with Leap began as a team captain for The Sandcastle Classic, a large-scale event where designers, engineers, and builders from across the Bay Area collaborate with elementary school students to create giant sand sculptures in a one-of-a-kind competition at Ocean Beach each fall.
The following year, I joined the Event Committee, helping to enhance team operations, improve communication, and drive engagement for an event that hosts over 3,000 attendees and raises 40% of Leap’s annual income. After a year, I stepped into the role of Committee Chair, working to expand participation, refine fundraising strategies, develop outreach initiatives, and spearhead a major rebranding effort.
In 2014, I was honored to join Leap’s Board of Directors, serving as a liaison to the Sandcastle Committee while providing strategic input across events, programs, and succession planning. In 2017, I took on the role of Board Chair, where I helped oversee a three-year strategic plan, navigated the organization through the transition of Teaching Artists from independent contractors to part-time staff (AB-5), and tackled fundraising and operational shifts during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the challenges of remote learning and an office relocation.
Despite rolling off the board in 2021, my commitment to Leap remains strong—helping ensure that arts education continues to inspire and empower the next generation of creative thinkers.
