Staff & Board

Ilah Raleigh, EdD, is a performing artist, educator, arts leader, entrepreneur, and community advocate who brings more than 25 years of experience to her role as Executive Director of Springboard for the Arts.

Dr. Raleigh served as Director of Visual and Performing Arts at The Blake School from 2022-2026, where she managed complex operations and transformative strategic initiatives, bridging executive rigor with deep artistic expertise. Holding an EdD in Educational Leadership and a MM in Vocal Performance, Dr. Raleigh’s career spans leadership roles at the St. Paul Conservatory of Performing Artists, faculty positions at the University of St. Thomas, Perpich Arts High School, and MacPhail Center for Music, and service on regional arts and education boards. With a career as a self-managed artist, scholar, and creative entrepreneur, she has navigated the complexities of the independent arts economy firsthand. This foundational experience as a small business owner informs her pragmatic approach to organizational stewardship and her commitment to sustainable career models for all creators. She is a dedicated advocate for institutional equity, specializing in scaling mission-driven impact.

I’m an artist! In her work as a performing artist, Dr. Raleigh strategically expands the canon through cultural representation—notably through contemporary premieres of opera and musical theater, as well as curated recitals of African American art song. As an interdisciplinary scholar and published author, her writing explores the intersection of music, migration, and identity.

As Senior Director of Partnerships and Rural Strategy, Michele leads overall strategy and partnerships for Springboard’s rural programs in support of rural artists and creative community development, including the Rural Regenerator Fellowship, the Rural Futures Summit, Artists on Main Street, and the Falls Community Arts Exchange. 

In 2024, she authored Heartland, Heartwork: A Field Guide to Place and Possibility for Rural Leaders. Developed in partnership with the Blandin Foundation, this comprehensive field guide is designed to empower rural leaders in planning and executing effective place-based projects centered in arts, culture and creativity.

I’m an artist! Michele is a composer, creative writer and pianist with a BA in Music from Lewis and Clark College and an MA in Cultural Sustainability from Goucher College, where she was awarded the inaugural Rory Turner Prize in Cultural Sustainability. In 2015, Michele was selected by the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits for their Catalytic Leader Award. Her work is about creating and seeking out multiracial and multi-generational pathways to new rural futures rooted in repair, stewardship and joy, whether through policy, poetry, or karaoke!

As Community Development Director, Ricardo Beaird leads the Community Development work at Springboard to create pathways for artists to collaborate with their communities to address community challenges and opportunities. Ricardo also leads cohorts of artists in creating work that strengthens communities, focusing on dispelling harmful narratives, combating social isolation, and inspiring new ways of thinking.

I’m an artist! Ricardo Beaird is a theater artist, teaching artist, and cheese curd enthusiast originally from Nashville, Tennessee. As a devised theater practitioner, Ricardo collaborates to create original performances from scratch, prioritizing collective voices over pre-written scripts. They have performed with Pangea World Theater, Park Square Theatre, Red Eye Theater, and Ten Thousand Things Theater, and were a Core Artist with Full Circle Theatre and an advisory council member for the queer-led theatre collective, Lightning Rod. From 2021 to 2023, they served as an Artist Council member for the Northern Spark Arts Festival. Currently, Ricardo and their collaborators are crafting a new show that weaves together ghost stories and line dancing.

As Financial Controller, John manages Springboard’s financial operations and facilitates our Fiscal Sponsorship program, Incubator. Right now, John might be answering a question (or several) about fiscal sponsorship from a new Incubator project! 

John received his undergraduate degree from Grinnell College in 2008 and his MFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 2010.

I’m an artist! John works primarily in painting and sculpture and shows his artwork in galleries, park districts, and natural history museums, primarily in the Midwest. Find more of John’s work at johnmartinbell.com.

As Community Organizer, Sam helps facilitate and foster Springboard’s community-centered work in Saint Paul, MN, such as Springboard on Ice, Artists Respond, and neighborhood collaborations. You might find Sam out and about in the Frogtown/Rondo Neighborhood, so if you do, say hi!

I’m an artist! Sam was the community organizer for Frogtown Neighborhood Association for almost 10 years, and helped the organization become one of the most representative, innovative and influential district councils in St. Paul.  Sam has worked for the League of Pissed off Voters, using Hip-Hop and the arts to encourage young people to become active participants in the electoral process. Through this experience, as well as his family’s deep connections to the arts, Sam has recognized the power of arts and artists to create positive change in the world.

As Advancement and Storytelling Manager, Colleen supports Springboard’s strategic fundraising and shares stories about the impact of Springboard’s work. Right now, she might be designing the next fundraising campaign or annual report, and developing materials for a new grant proposal. 

Colleen has reported on Minnesota’s music and art scenes for a variety of publications including The Current and KFAI. In 2018 she founded the blog and podcast Pass The Mic to amplify stories of women, trans and nonbinary folks in music. Before joining Springboard, Colleen created digital and internal communications for Planned Parenthood North Central States.

I’m an artist! Colleen is a musician and fiber artist. She performs as a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter in the Minneapolis band Rabeca at venues around the Twin Cities. An avid knitter, sewist, and mender, her fiber art has been displayed at Fresh Eye Gallery and the Minnesota State Fair.

As Communications Director, Destiny leads communications/marketing strategies and systems across Springboard, and directs the editorial initiatives that keeps folks in the loop of the who, how, what, and why of our work. 

Destiny has over a decade of experience in Communications and Marketing, graphic design, brand strategy, and development. A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Destiny has worked for arts organizations, film festivals, theaters, and artist clients both locally and nationally. 

I’m an artist! Destiny is a cartoonist, animator, performer and multimedia artist who describes her work as “a mix of the real, the unreal, and the in-between.” Destiny’s artwork has been featured on Apple TV, Planned Parenthood, the Minnesota State Fair, TPT Almanac, the Star Tribune, Gamut Gallery, White Bear Lake Center for the Arts, the Minnesota Billboard Project, and others. More at destinydavison.com.

As Springboard’s Economic Opportunity Program Manager, Alex works closely with Wone to support ongoing programs like Guaranteed Income for Artists, Artist Career Consultations, and more!

I’m an artist! Alex Eady is a dance artist and teaching artist who enjoys working across spaces that prioritize connectivity and care for others. Within her dancing and teaching practice she believes in constant discovery and maintaining a practice of curiosity. Learn more about Alex’s artistic practices here: alexandraeady.com.

As Rural Program Manager at our Fergus Falls office, Dominic works with Molly J and Michele to support artists and partners in our rural programs, including the Rural Regenerator Fellowship and the Falls Community Arts Exchange. Specifically, Dominic focuses on managing our rural headquarters in Fergus Falls. Right now, Dominic is likely working with a community member who is curious about what Springboard does for rural leaders, or giving a visiting artist an orientation of Fergus Falls. 

I’m an artist! Dominic Facio is a multidisciplinary artist with a focus on subculture, challenging the status quo and provokes curiosity. Dominic has been creating since the mid-2000s, beginning with makeup design and photography, expanding to wearable art and, what they’ve become known for today, unique inclusive live production experiences with immersive ethereal aesthetics. They are the founder of the Fergus Falls Zombie Crawl (est. 2009), Danse Macabre (est. 2018) and Catwalk Party in Fergus Falls, MN (est. 2018).

As Community Development Manager, Julia works closely with Ricardo, Sam, and nouf on a range of Springboard’s local programs, including Springboard on Ice, Artists Respond, and narrative change work.  

I’m an artist! Julia is a dancer, writer and community organizer committed to uplifting the intersections of justice, healing and the arts. She is a ballroom instructor at Dancers Studio in St. Paul and serves as a steering committee member for the Network of Politicized Adoptees. In 2019, Julia produced her one-woman show, Motherlanded, exploring her personal narrative as a Chinese adoptee. Learn more about her artistic work at www.juliagay.com.

As Financial Specialist, Addison works closely with John to support Springboard’s financial operations, fiscal sponsorship program, Incubator, and manages program contracts.

I’m an artist! Addison is a performance artist with a BA in Theatre Arts and Mathematics. She has taught dance in the Twin Cities, choreographed for high schools across the Midwest, and performed with the St. Croix Festival Theater among others. A transplant from Iowa, Addison has fallen in love with the Minnesota arts community and can frequently be found in the audience or at art fairs supporting her fellow artists.

As Community Development Coordinator, Erika supports the logistics and planning  of Springboard’s signature events and local programs, including Springboard on Ice, Artists Respond, narrative change initiatives, and more.

A proud first-generation Xicana college graduate, educator, and community organizer with ancestral roots in Puebla, Mexico, Erika  brings nearly a decade of experience in leadership development, program coordination, and community building in the Twin Cities. With a strong foundation in Chicano and Latino Studies, Hernandez is deeply committed to social justice, racial equity, and honoring community narratives. Her work centers on creating culturally-sustaining and asset-based programming that affirms identity and fosters connection. 

I’m an artist! Erika is a  multidisciplinary artist, writer, and connector. She enjoys building community through arts and culture and has collaborated with local artists to uplift the stories of immigrant communities, youth leaders, and grassroots activists.

As Rural Director, Molly ensures that the artists and partners in our rural programs, including the Rural Regenerator Fellowship and the Falls Community Arts Exchange, are supported and have what they need for a joyful and impactful experience. Molly also supports the Community Development and Economic Opportunity teams to align goals and programming across rural and urban spaces.  

I’m an artist! Molly is a dance artist and cofounder of DanceBARN Collective in Battle Lake, MN. Molly holds a BFA in Dance from University of the Arts and an MFA in Dance from the University of Oregon. As a dancer and choreographer, Molly has worked with the Fergus Falls School of Dance, Art of the Lakes, the Creative Arts Center, and enjoys collaborating with artists across disciplines to create site specific performances that celebrate rural places.

Amanda leads the organization’s strategic fundraising and communications efforts. Amanda brings over 18 years experience in development, fundraising, and nonprofit leadership to Springboard. Amanda holds dual master’s degrees in Nonprofit Management and Arts Administration from the University of Oregon, and is a graduate of the Rockwood Leadership Institute. She currently serves as Secretary on the board of directors of Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center. 

I’m an artist! Amanda is a letterpress printer, writer, clown, and juggler. She once took the stage at a local Moth Story Slam to share the story of her time traveling across Brazil with an international eco-circus.

As Relationship Manager, Mollie helps nurture the relationships that sustain Springboard’s work, from our donors to the artists we serve. Right now, they might be making sure our donor database is up to date so every gift is celebrated, or preparing an artist contract for an exciting new program!  

I’m an artist! Mollie Lacy is a nonbinary lesbian poet. Their poetry has appeared in Paper Darts, Typishly, Drunk in a Midnight Choir, and on Button Poetry. Their work has been presented by Pangea World Theater, Patrick’s Cabaret, Word Sprout, and Mother Goose’s Bedtime Stories.

As Program Specialist, Zaraawar helps manage technical operations that make our programs possible such as event registration, as well as helps address questions artists may have about one of our career development programs like Work of Art.

Right now, Zaraawar might be helping an artist sign up for an Artist Career Consultation to get 1:1 guidance for the next steps in their creative practice!

I’m an artist! Zaraawar Mistry is a theater artist and storyteller. He has performed in and directed many works for several Twin Cities theater companies, and mentored dozens of artists in the creation and production of original works for the stage. He has an M.F.A. in Theatre from UC, San Diego and a B.A. from Bennington College in Vermont.

William champions the internal systems that make Springboard run. William oversees financial and administrative operations to support the sustainability of our programming, artist-led projects, and organizational health. You can find William across our work ensuring Springboard not only survives, but thrives. 

William holds a Master’s and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with accounting and nonprofit financial management certifications. He also has over 15 years of leadership experience in various management roles. William believes that great organizations start with great people and is passionate about mentoring, motivating, and developing future leaders.

I’m an artist! William has been a performing musician, songwriter, and music producer in the twin cities for over 20 years. He played keyboards and bass guitar at local venues, improv theaters, and houses of worship with some of the metro area’s prominent musicians, singers, and actors.

As Artist Resource Manager, Andy, you guessed it, manages our library of artist resources! That list includes our Opportunities & Jobs boards, Grants and Professional Services board, Minnesota Lawyers for the Arts, Equipment Library, and our Resource Lab in Saint Paul.

I’m an artist! Andy is a writer, artist, and designer. He is the author of four full-length nonfiction books, including the Minnesota Book Award-nominated book Closing Time: Saloons, Taverns, Dives and Watering Holes of the Twin Cities (with Bill Lindeke). Art books published by his small press, Birchwood Palace Industries, have been featured in Artforum, New York, TASTE, and Blackbird Spyplane, and can be purchased in shops in North America, Europe and Asia. Andy holds a B.F.A. in painting from the University of Louisville. Learn more at birchwoodpalace.com or andysturdevant.com.

As Site Manager for our Saint Paul office, Peter manages the day-to-day operations of our building and access throughout the year. Talk to Peter about Space Rental for your next community event! 

Peter also helps manage Springboard’s Ready Go program, which connects neighborhoods to artist-led mobile tools for hire. 

I’m an artist! Peter’s primary mediums are participation, interaction and conversation. Many of his projects involve making together with folks-often signs and flags. Some of his works include: The A Project, Art Shanty Projects, Expeditionary Conversation Tents, Mobile Sign Shop and the Temporary Table Tennis Trailer. He is a past recipient of a McKnight Fellowship for Photographers and holds a BFA from the California College of Arts and Crafts and an MFA from the University of Minnesota. www.phtpht.com

Jess Torgerson is a multidisciplinary artist, designer, curator, and community arts organizer originally from Fergus Falls, Minnesota. After spending much of her early adult life in metro areas, she returned to her hometown in 2017. Her work with regional arts and nonprofit organizations has spanned curation, arts education, and community engagement. A passionate advocate for rural artists and creative communities, she believes in the power of art to bring people together, open minds, and create opportunities.

I’m an artist! Jess holds undergraduate degrees in Apparel & Textiles and Art/Printmaking from North Dakota State University. Her interdisciplinary practice includes sculpture, installation, printmaking, and collaborative public art. A common thread throughout her work is an exploration of how we assign value to materials, the natural world, creative labor, and things often overlooked or misunderstood. An avid traveler and reader, Jess believes that sometimes you have to leave a place to truly appreciate what makes it home.

As Economic Opportunity Director, Wone leads programs at Springboard that aim to create equitable and just economies for artists. These programs connect artists to essential resources, including the Guaranteed Income for Artists, Growth Fund, and Artist Career Consultations. Additionally, Wone manages Makers 2 Market and organizes artist pop-up markets such as SpringPOP! and Last Minute Gifts.

Wone has been working with artists for over a decade, developing artists and curating events in the community.

I’m an artist! Wone is a fiber artist who creates under the name Third Daughter, Restless Daughter, alongside her sister. Their work is characterized by a playful, snarky attitude with references to pop culture. This unique style originated in their youth when they learned the traditional Hmong embroidery known as Paj Ntaub from their Grandmother. Their artworks have been showcased at Centro, the M, and the Textile Center.

As Operations Manager, Laura supports our Operations team to sustain our internal systems, site operations, and human resources.  You can find her connecting with community members to use our spaces and helping Springboard to flourish in our values.

Laura is a theater artist and arts administrator. Her view has been shaped by running several small non-profit organizations, board service, and twenty years in theater production. Laura holds an MFA in Directing for Theater, a mini-MBA in Non-profit Organization, and a Graduate Certificate in Project Management. Her goal is to be a thoughtful voice championing change, fostering sustainability, and supporting equity.

I’m an artist! Laura is a puppeteer, props designer, director, and theater producer. Her work has been seen on stage at the Guthrie, Children’s Theater, Ordway, Chanhassen Dinner Theater, and Mixed Blood Theatre to name a few. She serves as Artistic Director for Mad Munchkin Productions producing works of imagery and imagination in the Twin Cities. She also currently sits on the Equity Impact Assessment Committee for Minneapolis Public Schools. When not creating or advocating, Laura enjoys spending time with her family of four, adventuring in the great outdoors, attending theater and music, backyard gardening, and puppeteering.