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The Contemporary Dayton Staff

Eva Buttacavoli

Executive Director

Heather Jones headshot

Heather Jones

Curator / Director of Programs & Engagement

Cydnie King

Curatorial Assistant

Miranda Rowe

Development Coordinator

Emily Larson

Accountant / Bookkeeper

Jennifer Perry

Graphic Designer

Board of Trustees

Dr. Tristyn Ball

Dr. Tristyn Ball

Dr. Kimberley Freeman

Dr. Kimberley Freeman

Jennifer McCormick

Dr. Robert L. Brandt, Jr.

Mike Houser

Edd McGatha

Gretchen Durst Jacobs

Tim Kambitsch

Ira Thomsen

John Fabelo

Kevin McCurdy

Strategic Working Groups

As part of The Contemporary Dayton’s **Three-Pillar Leadership Pathway (2026–2029)**, Trustees and community leaders work together through three Strategic Working Groups that help advance the organization’s mission, sustainability, and impact.

These groups serve as hands-on, collaborative teams that generate ideas, solve challenges, build partnerships, and help turn strategy into action. By engaging Board members and community leaders in focused areas of work, the Strategic Working Groups strengthen The Contemporary Dayton’s ability to support artists, grow audiences, and ensure a vibrant future for contemporary art in Dayton.

**Creative Enterprise Working Group**

Focuses on earned revenue opportunities, partnerships, and innovative business models that support long-term sustainability.

Members
-Philip Drennen, Executive Director, TheatreLab Dayton
-Gretchen Jacobs*, Artist, Educator
-Nathan Green, Executive, International Paper
-Kevin McCurdy*, Architect, Partner at LWC Inc.
-Hailey Petitjean, Human Resources, Epic Sales Partners
-Dabriah Rice, Co-founder, 6888 Kitchen Incubator and Executive Director, OH Taste Foundation
-Jennifer Sydor, Artistic Director, Dayton Dance Initiative
-Lisa Weser, Executive Vice President, ACC Advisory

**Artist Impact Working Group**

Champions artists and their contributions to the cultural, economic, and creative vitality of Dayton while expanding artist visibility and community engagement.

Members
-Karen D. Brame, Artist; Educator; Librarian for Africana Archives/Special Collections, Dayton Metro Library
-Dan Cleary, Fine Art Photographer
-Scott Davis, Founder, Photographer, Light Lab Dayton
-Amy Deal, Artist, Designer
-Amy Dolan, Artist, Designer
-Judith Huacuja, Artist; Professor Emerita, University of Dayton
-Jeffrey Cortland Jones, Painter; Curator; Professor, University of Dayton
-Hannah Kasper, Arts Writer, Painter, Educator
-David Leach, Artist; Professor Emeritus, Wright State University
-Teresa Olivarria, Artist, Educator
-Jamie Owens, Executive, APG Office Furnishings
-Rodney Veal, Producer and Host, The Art Show Think TV; Artist and Dancer

**Community Investment Working Group**

Builds philanthropic support, corporate partnerships, membership growth, and community investment in The Contemporary Dayton’s mission.

Members
-Dr. Tristyn Ball*, Executive, Montgomery County ADAMHS
-Amanda Burks, Chief Development Officer, Dayton Live
-Tim Kambitsch*, Retired Executive Director, Dayton Metro Library
-Jennifer McCormick*, Human Resources Director, City of Centerville
-Edd McGatha*, Retired Director of Facilities, Dayton Children’s Hospital; Photographer
-Brent Osborn, Principal Consultant & Strategist, Off Square One
-Michael Roediger, Realtor, Coldwell Banker Heritage; former Executive Director, Dayton Art Institute
-Ira Thomsen*, Attorney at Law
*Designates Trustees
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