STAFF

Samantha Ascencio De La Cruz, Services Specialist

Samantha joined the Arts Council in May 2025 as a summer Programs Intern through the Higher Promise Internship Program and in August 2025 came back as a staff member. She has a BA in Art with a Minor in Psychology. Samantha also enjoys photography during her free time.

Brett Burradell, Theatre/Events Manager

Brett Burradell joined the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo in 2025 as Theatre/Events Manager, overseeing productions and events in and around the Epic Center’s Judy K. Jolliffe Theatre. He brings extensive experience in theatre tech, audio engineering, projection design, and live event production. Prior to joining the Arts Council, Brett managed a live music venue in New Orleans’ French Quarter, where he worked with nationally recognized artists and developed a passion for immersive video design and projection mapping. After relocating to Michigan, he served as Technical Director and Projection Designer at the Barn Theatre, contributing scenic, lighting, and sound design to numerous productions. Outside of his work at the Epic Center, Brett is an active musician and visual artist.

Kristen Chesak, Executive Director

Kristen Chesak is an arts administrator and theatrical designer, with more than 30 years of experience advancing the arts through leadership, collaboration, and creative practice. Her career has included more than 200 theatrical productions, executive leadership of nonprofit arts organizations, the development of educational programs, and the mentorship of emerging artists, reflecting experience in nearly every facet of theatrical production.

Kristen currently serves as Executive Director of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, supporting artists and arts organizations through advocacy, grantmaking, public programming, and community partnerships. She previously served for 11 years as Executive Director of the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre while maintaining an active design practice, and continues to work as a guest designer, educator, presenter, and mentor throughout the region. In addition to her professional work, she serves on the Kalamazoo Valley Museum Advisory Board, the Discover Kalamazoo Tourism Master Plan Committee, the Kalamazoo County Public Art Commission, and remains an active member and past president of the Rotary Club of Kalamazoo, reflecting her commitment to strengthening the cultural and civic life of her community.

Savannah Draper, Office Manager

Savannah Draper (she/her) joined the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo in 2026 as Office Manager. Her background is in Stage/Production Management and theatrical design with a primary focus in Properties and Scenic Painting. She has worked extensively throughout SW Michigan in all areas of live event production. In her free time, she can be found with her nose in a book, working on a cozy craft or pestering her partner.

Jinli Feng, Finance Director

Jinli joined the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo in December 2021 as Staff Accountant and was promoted to Finance Director in July 2024. As Finance Director, she leads the financial operations of both the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo and the Kalamazoo Cultural Center, directing financial planning and reporting, accounting operations, payroll, employee benefits administration, and audit coordination. She also oversees the financial administration of the Arts Council’s fiscal sponsorship programs. Working closely with the Executive Director, the Board of Directors, and staff, she helps ensure responsible financial stewardship that enables the Arts Council to serve creatives and strengthen the arts throughout the greater Kalamazoo area.

Before joining the Arts Council, Jinli worked as a bookkeeper for the Kalamazoo Chinese Academy for two years. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law in China. Outside of work, Jinli enjoys camping and serving in her local church.

Nikki Horner, Services Specialist

Nikki Horner combines a lifelong passion for the arts with more than 30 years of customer service experience to support the region’s vibrant creative community. Before joining the Arts Council, Nikki served as the Services Director at Rootead Enrichment Center and worked as an interior stylist and artist. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from Oregon State University, with an emphasis in oil painting. An active artist for more than 20 years, Nikki continues to exhibit her work and maintains a shared femme studio in the Jerico Building. A dedicated advocate for arts and community, Nikki is passionate about helping artists and organizations thrive in the place she proudly calls home. When she’s not daydreaming in her studio, you can find her adventuring with her sweet and spirited children—often on a bike, kayak, or trail.

Tracy Maurer, Staff Accountant

Tracy joined the Arts Council in September 2024 as the Staff Accountant. She came from an accounting firm where her primary focus was assisting nonprofits in the Kalamazoo area with their bookkeeping and accounting needs. She discovered her interest in accounting in 2021 and made the subsequent career switch that has led her here, where she continues to work for and with nonprofits. In her spare time, she and her partner operate a woodworking company while putting to use their combined interests in drawing, painting, pyrography, and leather arts.

Amari Parham, Marketing Manager

Amari Parham serves as Marketing Manager for the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, bringing experience in marketing, communications, social media strategy, content creation, event planning, and community engagement. She combines creativity and strategy to build meaningful connections, strengthen brand presence, and tell stories that engage audiences.

Amari has led creative projects and social media campaigns for organizations including Kalamazoo Valley Community College and the Southwest Michigan Chamber of Commerce. Her experience also includes work with Kalamazoo Public Schools and Communities In Schools, as well as community leadership through Confident S.O.L.E., where she has supported event planning, communications, and community engagement.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Western Michigan University and completed New York University’s Summer Publishing Institute, with additional study in digital media, publishing, integrated marketing, and video content strategy.

Kim Shaw, Programs Director

For more than 20 years, Kim has worked as an independent artist under the name Kim Shaw Art. Her practice has included teaching workshops and private lessons, as well as creating commissioned paintings and illustrations. A former studio resident at Jerico, a makerspace in Kalamazoo’s Edison Neighborhood, she continues to paint and collaborate with fellow artists from her home studio. Kim also serves as an adjunct instructor at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, where she shares her passion for the arts with emerging artists and lifelong learners.

Kim is a graduate of both Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo Valley Community College, holding degrees in Illustration and Studio Arts with concentrations in Art Education, Painting, and Expressive Arts Therapy. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Expressive Arts Coaching and Community Building at the California Institute for Integral Studies.

Kim serves on the Kalamazoo County Public Arts Commission as Local Artist #2/Art Historian and was the Festival Director for the inaugural 2025 Brush the Block Mural Festival in the City of Kalamazoo.

Her work centers on fostering individual and community enrichment through creative process, collaboration, active art-making, and shared human experience. Across her artistic, educational, and community leadership roles, Kim is committed to supporting artists, cultivating meaningful partnerships, and expanding access to the arts. Social justice, equity, and restorative practices remain central to her ongoing learning, and to the programs and creative spaces she helps cultivate.

Jeff Weber, Epic Center Director

Jeff joined the Arts Council in January 2023 as director of the Kalamazoo Cultural Center. Most recently, he led Orangetheory Fitness Kalamazoo and Orangetheory Fitness Portage as studio manager. Acting as general manager of two fitness studios, Jeff orchestrated day-to-day sales & operations, and staff, and operated OTF’s signature events. Jeff has over 20 years’ experience in event and facility management, including as facility manager at Wings Event Center and Wings West, helping to bring the sport of curling to Kalamazoo, as well as numerous other events, including Elton John in concert and the United States Figure Skating Association Synchronized Skating Sectionals & Nationals. He served as general manager at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek for two years, overseeing all aspects of the multiuse arena and an outdoor festival space.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Arts Council is seeking board members! Email info@kalamazooarts.org to express interest and discuss this volunteer opportunity with a current board member.

Simon A. Thalmann, President

Tom Hamann, Vice President

Kaylynn Linsley, Secretary

Jacquelyn DeWaters, Treasurer

Joel Amos

Michael Beyene

Jeremy Blair

Shonda Buchanan

Janis Hall

Remi Harrington

Nadean Knight

Nicole Marques

Robin Nott

Adam Ostrander

Linda Rzoska