Exit

Board of Directors

Kim “Kimfer” Flanery-Rye

She / Her

CHAIR

BIO

With an entrepreneurial spirit, creative mind, and passion for service, Kim is a season professional with 20+ years of experience with a diverse background in art, design, communication, training, digital marketing, brand strategy, executive leadership, and design. She pursues organization development specifically focused on the IDEA: Inclusion = Diversity + Equity+ Accessibility, allows you to build culture from the inside out.

As a past executive, current Adjunct Professor and holder of an MBA in executive leadership, Kim understands that the heart and mind help bring balance to people and business. She is a fierce advocate for the community, spending her time volunteering and donating to bring positive changes and support the organizations around her.

Above all, Kim is someone who absolutely loves a creative mind, an artistic eye, and a wicked sense of style…in whatever form.

Elizabeth Hodges

She / Her

TREASURER

BIO

Elizabeth Hodges is passionate about the Urban ArtWorks mission and feels grateful for the opportunity to support it via board leadership. Elizabeth credits the Seattle Public Schools art teachers that nurtured her artistic abilities, first at McClure middle school and then at Franklin High School, for giving her the confidence to pursue and earn a Bachelor of Arts in Art from Clark Atlanta University, paint murals in public schools as an AmeriCorps member, and embrace her work as an art gallery assistant fresh out of college.

Elizabeth is currently the Executive Director of the state affiliate of a national nonprofit whose mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Prior to her present role, Elizabeth served as the inaugural Greater Seattle Executive Director of an award-winning national STEM nonprofit focused on girls attending high needs schools, implemented a pilot program geared toward unemployed and underemployed single mothers and their children as part of a national two-generation poverty prevention initiative, and served as the inaugural Director of Youth & Family Empowerment with a local workforce development organization.

Elizabeth completed her graduate studies at Clark Atlanta University, earning a Master of Social Work with a concentration in school social work. She spends her free time with her husband, Reuben, trying new restaurants, looking for the best local coffee shops, and appreciating public art.

SUNG PARK

He / Him

SECRETARY

BIO

Sung Park grew up in Seattle after moving from South Korea at the age of 7. His earliest memories are of drawing out the steps of making a peanut butter & jelly sandwich in elementary when he was still learning the english language. This sparked his love for art and attended UW graduating with a BA in Interdisciplinary Visual Art, and a BFA in Visual Communications. He then worked as a product designer for various companies for 15+ years before switching fields to product management.

In 2020, he decided to take a break and pursue his PMBA at Seattle University and will be graduating in Dec 2022. In his some 22+ years of working experience, he has seen first hand the importance of representation, inclusion, diversity, and having a seat and a voice at the table. Sung is very excited to be a part of Urban Artworks and looks forward to making a positive contribution to the young artists, the community, and the organization.

Barry Johnson

He / Him

ARTIST ENGAGEMENT CHAIR

BIO

Barry Johnson is a self-taught interdisciplinary artist whose work explores race, community, and culture. He has held residencies throughout the Puget Sound region, Hawaii, Tulum, and Argentina. Barry recently authored and illustrated a children’s book titled, Oh What Wonderful hair and his work has been shown and collected around the world ranging in mediums and sizes. He has also created multiple permanent works across King and Pierce County.

Barry has also spoken at a TEDx event in Seattle about the power of creating multiple personas to aid you in your career. He has received multiple grants and awards including the Edwin T. Pratt Award, smART Ventures award, the 2018 GAP Award and he was a finalist for the Conductive Garboil Grant in 2018 and he was a finalist for the Neddy in 2020. Barry is currently going to school to be an architect and lives in Federal Way.

Cristina Cano-Calhoun

She / Her

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT CHAIR

BIO

Cristina Cano-Calhoun is a Houston native who has been living in Seattle since 2019. After completing a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology at the University of Texas, Cristina moved to the PNW to pursue a Masters of Urban Design and Planning. During both programs, Cristina led ethnographic and place-based research investigating youth empowerment, community resilience, and information and knowledge sharing. Leaving her role as the Research Coordinator for UW’s THINKLab, Cristina joined the Seattle Art Museum as the Educator for Youth Programs. In her current role, she leads programs and develops resources for high-school aged youth across the region.

Cristina is passionate about improving access to educational opportunities in both urban and rural communities, especially those that center community-based learning. Cristina is a museum fanatic who recognizes the need for places of cultural heritage and informal education. When she’s not with teens or in the galleries, you can find Cristina riding her favorite e-bike across the city!

Kathleen Nadal

She / Her

DEI CHAIR

BIO

Kathleen is a passionate DEI advocate, driven by her unwavering commitment to cultivating communities where full authenticity is embraced and differences are celebrated. As a Senior Human Resources Partner with 12 years of expertise in comprehensive people and culture strategies, organizational development, executive leadership coaching, talent acquisition and change management, she thrives in collaborative environments and infuses every endeavour with energy and enthusiasm.

As someone who has navigated the 1.5 gen immigrant experience, being born in the Philippines and raised in Canada, Kathleen understands first-hand the complexities of adapting to new cultures while honouring one’s roots. Her multicultural journey and lived experiences have shaped her advocacy for fostering inclusive spaces and championing the importance of representation. With over 22 years of volunteer work uplifting BIPOC communities, including mentoring immigrant students and serving as a culture and arts ambassador, Kathleen is excited to continue making an impact in the vibrant arts community of her new home in Seattle. Maintaining a strong connection to her heritage, she is also a proud member of the Filipino Community of Seattle’s Kalahi Cultural Dance Ensemble.

Beyond her professional endeavours and community involvement, Kathleen explores the world (48 countries, 6 continents, and counting!), runs marathons (World Majors marathon finisher: Berlin 2023), and climbs mountains all over the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She embodies what it means to challenge the status quo and approaches each day as an opportunity to create positive change.

Kevin Knutson

He / Him / They

MARKETING CHAIR

BIO

Kevin is an international street artist who uses stencil art and murals to respond to new and current events– as a means to visually display and encourage empathy, justice, and action in the community. His work has been shown at Bellevue Arts Museum, The Guardian, and several local arts organizations in Seattle.

Parallel to his passion for public art, Kevin has developed a career in creative marketing, content strategy and production, and brand development. He has worked with local outdoor brands like REI, Filson, and Eddie Bauer to not only grow customer engagement but to advocate for a more inclusive and equitable outdoor experience– believing that education, curiosity, and community inclusion should guide our actions.

As an award-winning filmmaker and passionate storyteller, Kevin also seeks to elevate narratives and amplify voices. He has worked in over 18 countries (including Antarctica) and always looks to bring us closer through shared experience.

Michael Gonzalez

He / Him

COMMUNITY OUTREACH CHAIR

BIO

Born in Ventura, California, Michael is a child of immigrant parents from Jalisco, Mexico, whose deep roots are from Indigenous and European lineages. A professional in Information Technology, he has been experiencing and managing the ever changing world of technology for over 40 years. Blessed with beautiful opportunities in his life to live and experience multiculturalism and international travel, he enjoys embracing the great diversity of mythology, arts, music, and the spirituality of our world. He spends his free time advancing philanthropic pursuits, volunteering in the community, and creating musical compositions. He currently resides in The Emerald City – Seattle, WA.

Alejandro De La Cruz

He / Him

FUNDRAISING + EVENTS CHAIR

BIO

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Alejandro spent his collegiate years at UCLA studying English Literature. As a first-generation college graduate, he’s spent most of his life pursuing new experiences and helping to open doors for others. While Seattle is currently home for the last decade, Alejandro has spent time living in San Francisco, New York, Mexico City, and Berlin.

In his early career, Alejandro spent time working in journalism, specifically focusing on the convergence of art, culture, and technology. He then made a pivot to marketing and communications to pursue leadership positions across technology, including leading high impact teams at frog design, Tableau, and Salesforce.

Alejandro is currently the Head of Marketing at Very Good Ventures, a consulting firm helping organization bring digital products to market. He’s incredibly passionate about helping Urban Artworks increase its impact and visibility!

Past Board Chairs

Kifaya Dawud

Kat Latet

Rebecca Jacobs

Tim Jones

Annie Arnold

If you have been looking for an opportunity to serve, Urban Artworks is looking for people with diverse experiences who are passionate about serving the community through nonprofit board membership in support of youth, artists, and the greater community at large through the power of art. For more information about becoming an Urban ArtWorks Board Member and application instructions, please visit the link below:

Close
Go top