Board of Directors

Chair
SHEELAGH M. ALLSTON

Vice President, Senior Real Estate Counsel, Wexford Science + Technology

"I am excited about the work of Arts for Learning! I believe in the importance of the arts in education. Every child should have opportunities to achieve their full potential through the arts and Arts for Learning is making this a reality. Much has been accomplished by Arts for Learning, yet much remains to be done. It is inspiring to see the work of Arts for Learning and its artists, teachers, and staff who are full of creative energy and working together to make arts-integrated learning a reality. Being a part of this organization is also so important to me because music, visual, and performing arts played a prominent role in my childhood and education and I recognize the power of Arts for Learning in providing spaces for children to grow."

Vice-Chair
BILL BUCKNER

Director, Learning and Capacity Building, The Annie E. Casey Foundation

"I joined the Arts for Learning board shortly after I relocated to Maryland to connect with this new community and because my interests in the arts and helping children learn seemed aligned with the organization's mission. Nearly 20 years later, I am excited to still be an active member of the board because of A4L's creative and impactful work and its commitment to transform the lives of young people, especially young people of color, through education so they may reach their full potential. They create amazing learning communities that are joyful, safe, and supportive of differences enabling students, artists, and educators all to thrive. I am humbled to be associated with this incredible organization, for such a long time."

Vice-Chair
CHRIS WALLACE

Retired Speech-Language Pathologist

"As a retired Speech-Language Pathologist, I am still deeply invested in the education of children. Arts for Learning enhances the school experience through incorporating the arts into the curriculum with joy and energy. This is key to any successful long-term learning experience. Arts for Learning's focus on giving teachers the tools to continue using the arts in the curriculum is essential for the success of both Arts for Learning and the school programs. I am thrilled that A4L is now bringing this experience to children full time in the Charter School, Dream Academy! Today......Baltimore......Tomorrow......Statewide!"

Secretary
DR. NANCY KASS

JHU Phoebe R. Berman Professor of Bioethics and Public Health & Deputy Director, Berman Institute of Bioethics

"I love Arts for Learning. I cannot begin to express the importance of connecting young people to the arts. I think art can be a way to tap into a different pieces of ourselves. It's not just a way of improving academics and lowering absenteeism (which A4L work in schools does!) but it also allows kids to find new parts of themselves, to love coming to school, and to think of school as a gentle and joyful place, with caring and creative adults. And A4L leadership is so creative, fun, motivated, and impactful - it's such a gift to witness and experience all the great work."

Treasurer
ERIC M. PRIPSTEIN

Owner, Pripstein & Associates, LLC

"I believe education is the solution to our problems in society. We all learn differently. The arts give each child the opportunity to learn in a manner that works for them. I choose to dedicate time to Arts for Learning to support these beliefs and to help create an education system that challenges each child's mind and feeds their soul. Also, I enjoy being part of the Arts for Learning community of board, staff, and artists. They are my friends."

HAROLD BOOKER JR.

Principal Consultant, DrewJenk Consulting

"I chose to dedicate my time to Arts for Learning because I was so inspired by the work I saw at the Goodnow Community Center, and as a lifelong lover of the arts, I understand the importance of arts education, even if the student decides to pursue careers in other fields."

CASEY BRENT

Acting Director of Operations, MD Department of Health-Behavioral Health Administration

"I have an appreciation for the arts and this organization marries the arts, education, and uplifting Baltimore City youth in a unique and clearly effective way."

THOMAS M. BROWN

Partner, FinanceForward

"In our ever fractious country with structural impediments to upward mobility it is essential, in my view, to provide vision and skills to allow less advantaged children to believe they can have a future of productive self-actualization. I believe Arts for Learning is one exciting organization that can help make it happen. Arts integration into the learning system has been gradually phased out of too many curricula and downplayed as important, but all the arts (visual, music, dance, literature) are languages to be learned, and like law, mathematics, physics, and other languages, all provide different ways of seeing and perceiving. By doing so, it allows us to view problems from different angles and encourage more creative solutions. We NEED this!"

CANDICE BUCKNER

Interior Designer

"For nearly two decades, I have devoted my time and energy to initiatives that uplift and expand opportunities for children. I am especially passionate about programs that introduce underserved youth to new ideas and creative experiences--moments that can spark confidence, curiosity, and the belief that their future can be brighter than their circumstances.

My commitment to Arts for Learning is deeply personal. The arts transformed my own journey, guiding me from a career in engineering to one in interior design and ultimately helping me discover work that truly inspires me. That experience shaped my belief that exposure to the arts is not simply enrichment--it is empowerment.

As a member of the Board of Directors, I am honored to support and strengthen Arts for Learning's mission, helping expand access to high-quality arts education so more children can discover their creativity, build confidence, and find their own unique path forward."

BRIAN CHAPPELL

Partner, Hogan Lovells US, LLP

"I continue to be impressed by the new and innovative ways that Arts for Learning serves the needs of the community. The programs and initiatives are targeted to specific needs but also support a broad constituency. The results of arts integration are tremendous, and I love the fact that the organization has such a positive impact on everyone involved (students, parents, teachers, school administrators, and artists)."

ELIZABETH DRIGOTAS

Practice Management Analyst, Johns Hopkins University

"I am committed to providing opportunities for kids to experience and participate in the arts. I am also excited by the efforts Arts for Learning is making to expand into summer school programs."

LAWANDA EDWARDS

Program Manager, Policy Development & External Affairs, Maryland Health Care Commission

"I am deeply committed to the mission of Arts for Learning. I believe that integrating creative practice into education isn't just an elective benefit--it is a necessity for helping children unlock their full academic and personal potential"

ALAN HOFF

Partner, Breza and Associates

"Like many of our board, I'm proud to have been part of Arts for Learning for more than a decade! A4L changes lives, bringing joyous learning, enthusiasm, and purpose to the classroom. Our success starts with Teaching Artists and the inspiration and excitement they create. The joy they create is palpable, and it takes only one visit to a classroom to feel the difference. The success they have is equally visible--testing proves it. From the 2200 children who get to attend the Summer Arts for Learning Academy, to the Early Learning and ESY programs, to the amazingly confident rising seniors who are part of our Bloomberg Arts Internship, Arts for Learning impacts this city, its families, and the lives of children across the state. I'm honored to be on our great Board with our talented leaders."

RODRICK JOHNSON

CEO of The Johnson Experience / Baltimore City Literacy Coach

"I believe every student deserves more than instruction; they deserve an experience that awakens their brilliance.

The arts create entry points that traditional systems sometimes create barriers to. When creativity and academics meet, students who may not always see themselves reflected in the curriculum suddenly find their voice, their confidence, and their power. That kind of access is not extra; it is essential."

MARK PAUL LEHMAN

Vice President & Senior Legal Counsel, Americas Chart Industries, Inc.

"I was blessed to be involved in the arts as a child and I know I greatly benefited from the experiences (arts and music). As a gay man growing up in a conservative rural area, I believe participating in the arts literally save my life. I believe exposure to the arts nourishes the soul of every individual including children. Arts for Learning provides services that are critical to a vital urban area and the excellence of services makes it an organization that stands out."

ARIEL L. MARTIN, ESQ

Assistant General Counsel, Compliance & Contracts, The Common Application

"I believe education is the greatest equalizer and that arts-integrated education empowers learners to think creatively, build confidence, and discover their voices. Serving on the Board of Directors for Arts for Learning Maryland enables me to contribute to my community and directly support equitable access to transformative arts education."

RANDY OSTEEN

General Counsel, Hull Street Energy, LLC

"I have had a passion for the arts my entire life and I am a firm believer that every child should have the opportunity to experience the arts throughout their education. My daughter is a young student and I have witnessed firsthand just how important having exposure to the arts can be to a young child. I am looking forward to helping Arts for Learning continue to work toward achieving our mission of bringing the arts to as many children as possible. I continue to be amazed by the vitality and energy that management and other board members bring to their work with Arts for Learning and I hope to be able to contribute to such a wonderful organization."

GERREN G. PRICE

President and CEO, DowntownDC Business Improvement District

"Art changed my life long before I ever held a leadership title. As a child, the classroom was important--but the art room and music programs were transformative. They gave me confidence, discipline, creativity, and a sense of belonging.

Since joining the Arts for Learning board in 2017, I've seen firsthand how powerful those same opportunities can be for children across Baltimore and beyond. Every child deserves access to creative experiences that help them discover their voice and see new possibilities for themselves.

I am proud to support the organization's growth and expansion so that arts-integrated learning is not a privilege for a few, but a pathway available to all."

JENNIFER ST. GERMAIN

Vice President/Portfolio Manager, T. Rowe Price

"Children don't just benefit from arts integration -- they develop differently because of it. The arts - whether is is music, visual art, theater, dance - provide a platform for learning that inspires curiosity, creative problem solving and perhaps most importantly, confidence. Arts for Learning's mission sparks this joy."

DR. SALLIE RIXEY

Retired Combined Family and Preventive Medicine Residency Director, Medstar Health

"I have loved and participated in the arts, from community choir, to museums, to theatre, to opera, to dance, and beyond...As a Family Physician and residency educator for over 40 years, I am aware of the importance of education to public health. Nothing is more effective, efficacious and equitable than early childhood education. It diminishes absenteeism, improves graduation rates, leads to higher education, and about 20 more years of life! And by completely integrating the Arts into learning, it brings a degree of joy to education for all involved."

SARAH SAVAGE

Vice President of Human Resources, Pearson Virtual Schools

"I believe every child has a right to high quality and engaging education. After more than 15 years working in the education industry, I know each child learns in their own unique ways. I love how A4L embraces the needs of our local students and is dedicated to helping them learn and grow through the arts."

SARA MEADOWS SHAWE

SARAH ANDREW WILSON

Co-Founder, Chordia AI

"I am a lifelong believer in the power of the arts. The arts help us to think creatively, express ourselves, and connect with, share with, and understand one another. As a former musician, music educator, and director at multiple arts organizations, I've seen firsthand how teaching artists become catalysts for profound change, opening new pathways in learning for students. It's an honor to join the Board of Arts for Learning, a visionary organization that I've long admired for their leadership in transforming lives through the arts and education."

PAUL WOLMAN

Principal, WolmanEdge

"Every child deserves to be fully engaged, early on in life. Much of my confidence began by performing magic and playing music as early as nine in front of others. The magic Arts for Learning has developed and refined today - paring classroom teachers with teaching artists to co-create lessons - brings entire classrooms to life. The joy from participating can develop a joy for learning. I've seen it in their faces. And it's all based on science.

I'm thrilled to be part of A4L that continues to scale like no other in our community - serving as many as 150,000 students a year in Maryland. What's next? Launching Baltimore's first truly arts-integrated elementary and middle school, a model year-round teaching and learning lab for students, for artists, and for teachers. I want to be a kid again and enroll."

LOIS MARK, Emeritus

Retired Consultant, Baltimore Development Corp.

"I believe that the variety of arts-in-education experiences provided by Arts for Learning enhance the lives of Maryland students in many important ways. These experiences serve to delight and expand minds, increase self-confidence, and stimulate creativity and self-knowledge."