Sarah Christy works with the Cultural Alliance team to develop its financial management and administration strategies to achieve the organization’s strategic goals as Vice President of Finance & Operations. Before joining the Cultural Alliance, Sarah was Interim President & CEO of International House Philadelphia where she previously served as Chief Operating Officer and Director of Programs, managing Lightbox Film Center. Sarah holds a MS in Arts Administration & Museum Leadership from Drexel University and a BA in Economics & Business from Lafayette College. In addition to being Vice President of Finance & Operations, Sarah serves on the board of cinéSPEAK and enjoys the performing arts, Philadelphia 76ers, and her dog Fosse.

Hannah Wallace received her Master’s degree in Museum Education from the University of the Arts and holds a Bachelor's degree in African American Studies from Temple University. She now is part of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance Creative Youth Development team in the role of Manager of Creative Youth Development. The CYD Manager supports curriculum development, recruitment, event planning, and program implementation. Before joining the Cultural Alliance team, Hannah was a Director of Public Engagement with the Christ Church Preservation Trust. In addition to being the CYD Manager, Hannah enjoys weaving rugs, teaching ax throwing at KickAxe Philly and going out into nature to camp, hike & fish as often as she can!

Abigayle (she/her) provides communications and clerical support to the President & CEO, and other staff, as the Administrative Assistant. Before joining the Cultural Alliance team, Abigayle was Executive Assistant and Director of Special Projects at Moore College of Art & Design. She holds a Master’s in Arts Administration from Drexel University and a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art from University of South Florida. In addition to being Administrative Assistant, Abigayle enjoys oil painting, digital illustration, and trivia.

Patricia Wilson Aden is President & CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, which leads, strengthens and amplifies the voices of 400+ member organizations that make up the region’s cultural community. Aden is an unwavering advocate for the arts and culture sector with more than 40 years of experience leading non-profit and cultural institutions, most recently as President of The Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee and as President & CEO of the African American Museum in Philadelphia.

During her tenure at AAMP, Aden preserved a strong financial future for the museum by establishing strategic partnerships, delivering nationally acclaimed programming, and creating deeper donor engagement. At the Blues Foundation, she led the adoption of the Foundation's Statement Against Racism and its accompanying Action Plan, furthered the Blues Foundation's Blues in the Schools program, and helped develop the museum’s Blues Guide, while shepherding the organization through the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Aden has also served in executive roles for the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia.

Aden currently serves on the board of PA Humanities and is Vice Chair of the Friends of Cooch’s Bridge in Newark, Delaware. She was selected to serve as a member of the National Museum of African American Music’s Music Industry Relations Council. She has also served on the Smithsonian Affiliate Advisory Council and is a member of the Links, Inc. (Philadelphia Chapter). She has served as a panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts and other national and state level granting agencies.

Aden holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Spelman College and a master’s in historic preservation from Cornell University. She was awarded an honorary doctorate from Davis & Elkins College.

Photo credit: Sabina Louise Pierce.