About Us

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Our Mission

We are building a new framework of artistic opportunities by investing in underrepresented creative communities and producing world class programs.

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Meet Our Board of Directors

Our board members provide diverse perspectives, strategic insight and organizational oversight to ensure American Artists Project is effectively fulfilling its mission.

Liz Howard

President

Liz Howard brings more than 20-years of project management, marketing and fundraising experience to Fortune 50 organizations, small start-up environments and nonprofit organizations. Liz currently works at the Long Center for the Performing Arts where she increased membership by 250 percent in her first year. Over her career, Liz has successfully sold and managed corporate sponsorships, designed large training and VIP events, led fundraisers, developed go-to-market strategies and conducted focus groups. She spent 5-years at Dell Inc., where she held roles in Marketing, Operations and Human Resources. She was a leader in Dell's diversity and winning culture initiatives, as well as Dell's first women's networking group. Liz’s goal is to create an exceptional customer experience for her members, partners, and clients, working tirelessly to build relationships, and infuse passion and energy while delivering long-term results. Liz has served on several nonprofit boards and is the current President of Austin Artists Project. She sits on the board of the statewide Texas Library and Archives Foundation and is a member of the Women’s Symphony League. She is married with three sons and enjoys the great outdoors, the arts, live performances and the inspiring and spirited community that is Austin.

Patricia V. Hayes, J.D.

Treasurer

Patricia V. Hayes, J.D., is a licensed attorney, executive advisor and strategist who owns PVH Consulting Group, LLC, a strategy consulting and leadership development firm. She has served in senior leadership roles across Texas, including as a senior advisor to a State Senator, Lieutenant Governor, Commissioner of Education and University System Chancellor. A passionate community advocate and nonprofit leader, Patricia is committed to issues affecting education, child abuse prevention, literacy, equity, workforce development and women’s empowerment. She is a graduate of Pepperdine University School of Law and the University of Texas at Austin.

Marcus Riddles-Sanchez

With 10+ years marketing and development experience in the nonprofit sector, Marcus has a passion for reaching marginalized communities through innovative and culturally relevant strategies. He specializes in creating measurable outcomes through thoughtful community engagement and proven data. He has developed marketing campaigns for communities most susceptible to HIV and other health disparities that have received award and presented on the efficacy of these strategies at the local and national level.

Kelli House, M.A., F-AAA

Kelli has extensive experience in the field of Audiology and has been a managing partner of Estes Audiology since 2014. Clinically, Ms. House specializes in adult testing, rehabilitative counseling, and hearing aid fittings. She also leads the expansion and acquisition arm of Estes Audiology and spearheads the integration of multiple insurance plans to the practice. Prior to joining Estes Audiology in May of 2008, she served as Director of Audiology at Easter Seals of Central Texas, a non-profit facility. Through this work, she gained knowledge of grant writing, coordination of ancillary rehabilitation support and providing hearing services to lowincome and elderly patients. Ms. House also has a vast experience in adult rehabilitation and hearing aid services for our military veterans. She previously worked in the Audiology Departments at Brooke Army Medical Center and the Temple Veterans Administration, working directly with active-duty soldiers and retired veterans. Kelli is very involved in local and regional professional organizations, including President-Elect of the Texas Academy of Audiology and co-President of the Austin Audiology Society. She is a Fellow in the American Academy of Audiology and serves as an off-campus clinical supervisor for the University of Texas at Austin Audiology doctoral program as well as a guest lecturer for the program. She enjoys scuba diving, globally traveling, and spending time with her very active family.

Jessica Rossman

Pooja Sethi

As the daughter of immigrants, Pooja learned the importance of hard work early on. In college, Pooja began to understand the importance of her voice and representation. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from George Washington University (GW), where she studied sociology, criminal justice, and psychology. At GW, Pooja recognized that the student government failed to meet the needs of all students. That’s why she advocated for student government to create a Diversity and Equity Officer position. As GW’s first Student Government Diversity and Equity Officer, Pooja led initiatives to increase opportunities for students of color and fought against institutional biases. After college, Pooja went on to attend Syracuse College of Law, where she studied civil rights law and employment discrimination.With a job at a civil rights law firm, Pooja moved to New York City where she represented the most vulnerable and made sure every community had a voice. Pooja and her husband, Vivek, welcomed their son, Jai, in 2011, and moved to Austin soon after. As a new mom and new Austinite, Pooja saw the need to cultivate community and create opportunities for other women. In 2012, Pooja founded the non-profit South Asian Austin Moms (SAAM) because she wanted to help women who faced discrimination at work. Pooja built SAAM up from a small network of new moms to a significant pillar of the community, hosting fundraisers for local schools and enriching the Austin community with events like the Smithsonian Exhibit “Beyond Bollywood.” She served on the Mayor’s Task Force on Racism and Systemic Inequities (2016), Office of Police Oversight Task Force (2018), and Climate Plan Steering Committee (2019). Pooja also sits on the Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission (AAQOL. Pooja also has an immigration law firm in Austin. She does extensive pro bono work for immigrant women who have experienced family violence and domestic assault. In 2018, the Syracuse College of Law awarded her the Frank Morris Racial Justice, Civil & Human Rights Award for her work on immigration issues and family separation.

Caroline Frye Burruss

Caroline Burruss brings 25+ years’ experience pioneering connections across live events, audience experiences, sponsorship, and carefully curated branded integration that generate growth revenue built to scale. Her nuanced approach is rooted deep within her layered understanding of the artists, audiences, and community that cloak the brand-event ecosystem. Caroline brings a demonstrated commitment to environmental sustainability, social good, and DEI across internal teams, external brand partners, and artists.

Kathy Smith

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Meet Our Staff

American Artists Project accomplishes its mission through the passionate hearts, deep experience, and dedicated work of our professional staff.

Mela Sarajane Dailey

Executive Director

Mela Sarajane Dailey is a Grammy-winning and 9 time nominated international vocal performer; CEO of Merick Strategies, a consulting, fundraising and production agency; a national arts event producer; radio host; and a philanthropic and community leader in Texas and beyond. Merick Strategies produced an unprecedented staging of Leonard Bernstein’s MASS. The production was the largest major performing arts collaboration in Austin’s history. MASS involved more than 300 performing artists, hundreds of sponsors and donors, and 5,000 attendees over two nights of sold-out performances.

Staci McIntyre

Director of Operations

Staci brings over 15 years of experience serving in administrative roles, including over 4 years spent at Bethany United Methodist Church in Austin with their Student Ministries Program and 5 years as Executive Assistant at Merick Strategies.

Pamela Buchanan

Program Director

University professor, theatre manager, disability specialist, and lover of the Arts, Pamela is dedicated to the curation of excellence. Her background includes workshops for educators and the service industry, creation of arts programs, and nonprofit board memberships. Her experience ranges from bringing world class performances to rural America to developing programs for diverse children and adults in the great outdoors. Pamela believes that artists and consumers will share the ultimate engagement when attention and planning is expertly reviewed, and the human element is deftly considered.

Kyndal Workman

Marketing and Communications Intern

Kyndal Workman first joined AAP as a part of the Young Artists Project in 2020. As an artist herself, Kyndal has performed with YAP in various events including Broadway Brunch and Sing Joy! at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Kyndal is currently a senior at Chapman University where she is majoring in Public Relations, Advertising and Entertainment Marketing and double minoring in Documentary Film and Dance. Kyndal hopes to continue to use her artistry as a way of self-expression as well as creating social change throughout her career.

Jeff Owen

Young Artist Program Liaison

Jeff Owen grew up in Dallas, Texas before attending Texas State University in San Marcos where he received his undergraduate degree and certification in EC-12 Music Education. He began his career working in Pflugerville ISD as a band director and has had the opportunity to work in Austin and Georgetown ISD as well. He is currently entering his sixteenth year of teaching on the band staff at Cedar Valley Middle School in the Round Rock Independent School District. In his time as a music educator, Jeff has had the opportunity to work with students of all ages and from around the world. He has been the recipient of numerous innovation and educational grants as well as receiving teacher leadership awards and was a Teacher of the Year recipient during the 2017- 2018 school year. Jeff and his wife Allison have two daughters, Madeline and Olivia and reside in North Austin. They are excited to be joining the American Artist Project family as a part of the education team.

Grant Writer

 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At American Artists Project, we are dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts. We affirm and uplift the voices, experiences, and identities of all individuals, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, people of color, the LGBTQIA+ and disability community.  

 
Our commitment is to create a safe and welcoming space, free from discrimination, where everyone can experience a more diverse creative environment. We strive to dismantle barriers, challenge societal norms, and promote empowerment, ensuring that all people feel respected and represented in the arts.
 

 

 

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Building a Better, Bolder Arts Community

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