Board of Directors

Tim Price, Chair
PNM Resources Public Affairs and Foundation, PNM Foundation

Tim Price grew up in Artesia, NM, and graduated from UNM in 1985. He lived between New York City and Los Angeles before coming home to Albuquerque 21 years ago. As a production designer in the film industry, he worked with several interesting celebrities and directors. He was also a functional artist with permanent pieces at the Gallery of Functional Art in Santa Monica. His love for art continued as he helped curate and hang Project Angel Art at the Pacific Design Center in 1990 and participated in Divine Design for several years. Tim was active with AIDS Project Los Angeles and Project Angel Food. In Albuquerque, he taught lighting at the Art Center Design College and has worked for PNM and PNM Resource Foundation for 15 years.

Rebecca Black, Vice President
International Development Professional, US Government

Rebecca Black completed her BA in Political Science at the University of Michigan and her Masters in City Planning in Economic Development at MIT. She served as the Economic Development Planner and then the Executive Director of Allston-Brighton Community Development Corporation in Boston where the Mayor proclaimed Rebecca Black Day honoring her contribution to Boston’s neighborhoods. Since 1992, Rebecca has worked for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) performing different senior roles in many cities including: Washington, DC; Warsaw, Poland; Pertoria, Africa; Delhi, India; Kabul, Afghanistan; Bamako, Mali; and Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Shawna Brown
Exhibit & Event Coordinator, New Mexico Black Leadership Council

As the Creator of The Syndicate ABQ, Shawna B. has fostered community by curating dedicated spaces celebrating Black and Queer joy & expression. In the creative realm, they explore the harmonious relationship between music production and DJing. In her professional life, Shawna has made significant contributions in both the private and social profit sectors. She held the position of Chief Communications Officer for the Verdes Foundation as well as the role of Deputy Director/Special Projects Lead for the New Mexico Black Leadership Council. Shawna has a successful track record in steering projects for organizations like the DowntownAbq Main Street Initiative, the City of Albuquerque, and Fable Communications. Her work is made possible with the guidance of Spirit, beloved ancestors, and love.

Gabriel Castro
Director of Presbyterian Medical Group Practice Operations

Gabriel Castro has worked in healthcare for 21 years and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Radiology Management and a master’s degree in business administration. A 2021 Leadership Albuquerque class member scheduled for graduation in June 2021, Castro was also an Albuquerque Business First 2018, 40underForty honoree. Currently he serves with local nonprofits such as United Way of Central New Mexico, Hispano Philanthropic Society Council, the Young Leaders Society Council, and on Advisory Board Committees for UNM,CNM, and PIMA Radiology Programs, among other community positions.

April Chalay
516 ARTS Executive Director

April Chalay is an accomplished arts nonprofit leader, artist, and experienced director in the nonprofit sector. She received a BFA in Fiber and Material Studies from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2006, where she developed a strong foundation in interdisciplinary fine art disciplines and conceptual development. She also has a Certificate in Human Resources Management from The ILR School at Cornell University, eCornell. She served as the Director of Operations at the Espanola Valley Fiber Arts Center and as Deputy Director at the Center for Contemporary Arts of Santa Fe before joining the staff of 516 ARTS as Finance and Grants Manager and moving into the role of Deputy Director in 2023. She has lived in New Mexico since 2013.

Adri De La Cruz
Community Organizer, Curator 

Adri De La Cruz is an artist, curator and organizer born and raised in Albuquerque whose work is centered in inclusivity and community development. Their work spans various art media and has been featured in several galleries, including the National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1415 Gallery and 516 ARTS. They were head curator of visual arts at La Chancla gallery and have co- curated and juried shows for Graft gallery, and the University of New Mexico's sculpture department. De La Cruz has been featured in Southwestness Arts, The Alibi, The Albuquerque Journal, El Palaico magazine, KUNM's (music to soothe the savage beast radio show) and Hyperallergic. De La Cruz was also a recipient of a Creative Bravos award for exceptional community impact and creative work in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2023.They received their BA in Psychology and American Studies from the University of New Mexico (2017).

Danyelle Means
Independent Consultant

Danyelle Means (Oglala Lakota) currently serves as the Interim Director of the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture (MIAC) in Santa Fe, NM. Previously, she served as a Development Consultant to the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, Inc. (SWAIA) which plays host to the largest Native American art market in the US. Means was the first Indigenous Executive Director of the Center for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in addition to co-curating the exhibition “Self-Determined: A Contemprary Survey of Native and Indigenous Artists at the institution as well as having lead the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) as Director of Advancement and Executive Director of the IAIA Foundation. Her national impact includes a role as a Project Manager at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI). 

Jon van Gaasbeek
Architect 

Jon was born and raised in Albuquerque. He attended Highland High School and UNM where he received an associate degree in engineering and a BA in architecture. After college he moved to Los Angeles where he worked at various architectural firms and became a licensed California architect. Eventually he took over the architecture office he was working for. He specialized in renovating high-rise buildings and tenant improvement projects. His clients included CBRE, UBS, Keller Williams, the Director’s Guild, the Producer’s Guild, the Writer’s Guild, 15 Minutes Entertainment, AARP and LA Fitness.

Pamela Weese Powell
Independent Consultant

Pamela’s first career was in the film business in NYC and LA as an IATSE electrician. After 15 years of movies and tv, she found her passion when LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) came knocking and she joined their development team. She has been working as a C-Suite professional in for and non-profit organizations, leading them in progressive organizational management and fundraising practices. Pamela is passionate about art and animal welfare and is the Director of Development and Marketing at Animal Humane New Mexico. She also sits on the Albuquerque Museum of Art & History Foundation Board and runs the Dakota Tree Project, a non-profit she and her husband Marc co-founded.