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Staff

Acting Executive Director

Tom Kaiden

Tom Kaiden joined the Cultural Alliance in 2001 and leads the Alliance’s continuing efforts to promote the positive awareness and value of arts and culture and deliver high-quality services and professional development to 385 member organizations from the Greater Philadelphia region. Prior to joining the Cultural Alliance, Kaiden served as the executive director of the Stowe (Vermont) Area Association, a member-based tourism marketing corporation and Chamber of Commerce. He holds an MBA from Cornell University and a BA in Economics from the University of Connecticut.

Staff

Sara Cederberg Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator Sara Cederberg joined the Cultural Alliance in February 2009. As the Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator, she works on implementing grassroots initiatives to advance the public policy positions of the Cultural Alliance and its member institutions through online advocacy initiatives; building and engaging the list of supporters; writing advocacy alerts outlining current legislative action at the municipal, state, and federal levels; and researching issues which have an impact on the Cultural Alliance's mission and public policy priorities.	John McInerney Vice President of Marketing & Communications John McInerney has led the day-to-day operations and strategic direction of the Cultural Alliance's marketing initiatives since joining the Alliance in 2004. He currently directs Engage 2020, the Cultural Alliance's new initiative focused on doubling cultural participation in Greater Philadelphia by the year 2020. He previously served as Marketing & Communications Manager at the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute of Contemporary Art and as Production Manager at the Grand Opera House in Wilmington, Delaware. He has a BS in business administration from Loyola University (New Orleans) and an MS in arts administration from Drexel University.
James Claiborne Member Relations Manager James Claiborne joined the Cultural Alliance in 2005 and previously worked at Independence Blue Cross, where he fielded physician appeals and supported the IBC Medical Directors. As Membership Services Coordinator, James serves as a primary point of contact for Cultural Alliance member organizations and manages membership renewal, cost saving benefits and oversees the health insurance and employee benefits program. James previously studied Business Administration at Drexel University.	Len Neely Electronic Marketing Manager Len Neely joined the Cultural Alliance in 2005 and oversees the Phillyfunguide online events calendar and Funsavers discount email programs, as well as managing online advertising for both. She has led peer review panels for the 5-County Arts Fund and previously served as the administrative assistant to the Pennsylvania Cultural Data Project. She recently received her MS in Arts Administration from Drexel University and has a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies in Society and Culture from Emory University.
Melissa Cooper Member Programs Coordinator Melissa Cooper joined the Cultural Alliance in December of 2007 as the Marketing & Events Assistant. She works with the Marketing and Events Manger to coordinate the Philadelphia Cultural List Cooperative, Engage 2020 Leadership Program, Breakfast Clubs, and Workshops. She graduated from Muhlenberg College in 2005 with a BA in Theatre Arts.	Alexis Pappas Research Project Manager Alexis joined the Cultural Alliance in June 2008 as the Research Project Manager. She is responsible for coordinating and implementing market research related to the Engage 2020 Initiative. Prior to joining the Cultural Alliance, Alexis served as an Account Executive for Oxford Communications, a full-service advertising and public relations firm. Alexis holds an MBA from Anna Maria College and a BA in Psychology from Merrimack College.
Nick Crosson Research Analyst Nick joined the Cultural Alliance in 2005. He is responsible for planning and undertaking much of the Alliance’s research on arts and culture in Greater Philadelphia and plays a key role in the production of the Portfolio and other Alliance reports. He has authored papers on both arts and culture and political philosophy.	Donna Scheuerle Executive Assistant Donna Scheuerle joined the Cultural Alliance in 2006 and became Executive Assistant in 2007. She assists the Executive Team and coordinates Board activity and communications. Scheuerle previously served as a community activist and board member for her neighborhood civic association, and prior to that as a commercial darkroom technician. She has a BS in Telecommunications from Kutztown University.
Francis De Marco Controller Frank De Marco joined the Cultural Alliance staff in May 2009. As Controller, he is responsible for Accounting, Financial management, and Human Resources Benefit management. De Marco has worked for several local nonprofits, including the Academy of Natural Sciences and Jewish Family and Children’s Service. Frank is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and he holds a BBA degree from Temple University with a major in Accounting.	Anthony Tanzi Electronic Marketing Assistant Anthony Tanzi joined the Cultural Alliance in 2009 and serves as the site administrator of the Phillyfunguide online events calendar. Tanzi previously worked for WPMT, FOX 43 in York, Pennsylvania as a video photographer and editor. He has a BA in Mass Communications and a Minor in Speech Communication from York College.
Theresa DeAngelis Web & Publications Manager Theresa DeAngelis joined the Cultural Alliance in 2002 and became Web & Publications Manager in 2007. She oversees Philaculture.org as well as content and production of the Alliance’s print publications. DeAngelis previously served in marketing and customer relations at CDNOW.com, a pioneering online music store. She has a BA in Music from Gettysburg College.	Thomas Taylor Operations Manager Thomas Taylor joined the Cultural Alliance in 2003 and oversees information technology, human resources and facilities. Thomas has worked for a variety of nonprofits during his career, including the International Peace Bureau, Friends General Conference, and immediately prior to joining the Alliance, the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, where he held positions as Communications Director and Office Administrator.
Nancy DeLucia Regional Director Nancy DeLucia joined the Cultural Alliance in 2002. As Regional Director, she has met with scores of cultural groups, community leaders, and educators to inform them about the Alliance’s services, identify needs, broker relationships, and provide guidance on economic development initiatives using the arts. She received a BA in economics from the University of Delaware and an MA in economics from the University of Pennsylvania.	Timothy Weeks Associate Director of Development Timothy Weeks joined the Cultural Alliance in 2006. As Associate Director of Development, he manages the Alliance’s individual giving program and oversees a portfolio of corporate, foundation, and government grants. Weeks previously worked in customer service and as a buyer in the interior design industry. He is a master’s degree candidate at Drexel University in the arts administration program and holds a BM in piano performance from Cleveland State University.
Jessica Eldredge Regional Director Jessica Eldredge joined the Cultural Alliance in 2005. As Regional Director, she is part of the Alliance's expanded efforts in the four suburban counties to support arts and cultural non-profit organizations as well as grassroots efforts to incorporate culture in community revitalization. Previously, she worked with area nonprofits as a consultant on fundraising, program, collections and education projects. She holds an MA in Early American Material Culture from the University of Delaware's Winterthur Program and a BA from Smith College.	Susan Weiss Vice President of Development Susan Weiss joined the Cultural Alliance’s staff in 2001 and directs the Alliance’s fundraising efforts. Weiss previously worked at the University of Pennsylvania, where she served as staff writer in the marketing and development departments at the Institute of Contemporary Art and Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. She also worked at Boston's Institute of Contemporary Art and and Dance Umbrella. She has a JD from Boston University and a BA in American Studies from Wellesley College.
Julie Hawkins Vice President of Public Policy Julie Hawkins joined the Cultural Alliance staff in 1999. As Vice President of Public Policy, she leads the organization’s cultural policy initiatives, including advocacy, research, community cultural planning, and grantmaking. Hawkins has an MFA in Dance from Temple University and a BA in Public Policy from Duke University.	Michelle White Electronic Marketing Assistant Michelle White joined the Cultural Alliance in April 2008 and coordinates the day to day operations of the Funsavers discount email. Previously White managed the Isadore Art Gallery in Lancaster, PA and was Editor-In-Chief of York College’s newspaper, The Spartan. She has a dual bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Art History from York College.
Aviva Kaminsky Administrative Assistant Aviva Kaminsky joined the Cultural Alliance in September, 2009. She is responsible for many of the more subtle operations tasks in the office, as well as providing support to all staff members as needs arrive. She graduated from Temple University in August of 2009 with a degree in Political Science.	April Williamson Government Relations Manager April Williamson joined the Cultural Alliance’s staff in 2001. As Government Relations Manager, she monitors local, state, and federal legislation and policy issues related to arts and culture; cultivates relationships with legislators, political staff, and advocacy representatives of member organizations; coordinates direct lobbying efforts; and provides policy content for the Alliance's publications. She received an MS in arts administration from Drexel University and a BM in jazz voice performance from Temple University.
Kendra Lawton Member Programs & Communications Manager Kendra joined the Cultural Alliance in 2006 and manages the List Co-Op, Engage 2020 Leadership Program and other collaborative learning programs as well as oversees events for the Cultural Alliance including the Annual Member Meeting & Reception. Kendra is currently a master degree candidate at Drexel University in Arts Administration and holds a BA in Sociology from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY.

About Us

Staff

Cultural Alliance Staff

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Acting Executive Director

Staff

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