Behind Arts Services Inc.’s work is a group of dedicated volunteers helping guide our mission and shape the organization’s future.
Our Board of Directors is made up of artists, educators, business professionals, nonprofit leaders, and community advocates who share a commitment to strengthening WNY’s creative community. While each member brings a unique perspective and lived experience to the table, they’re united by one common belief: the arts belong to everyone.
We invited each board member to reflect on their connection to the arts, what inspired them to serve with ASI, and a favorite arts experience they’d recommend to others in Western New York. Their answers celebrate not only the impact of the arts in their own lives, but also the incredible cultural organizations, venues, and creative experiences that make our region such a vibrant place to live.
Keep reading to meet the people who help guide ASI’s mission and the perspectives they bring to our work.
Owen Ó Súilleabháin, President
Singer, Composer, & Leadership Adviser
Owen and his brother Mícheál performing at Asbury Hall. Photo Credit: Sara Wintle
As a musician, Owen has built a career around using the arts to inspire personal and professional transformation. His passion for creativity extends beyond performance, fueling his commitment to strengthening the arts community here in Western New York.
He joined ASI’s Board after an invitation from former Board Chair Broderick Cason during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inspired by the opportunity to give back, he has since helped guide ASI’s mission of supporting artists and arts organizations across the region.
If he could share one arts experience with everyone in Western New York, it would be hearing music performed in Kleinhans Music Hall, where “world-class acoustics and iconic architecture come together to create an unforgettable experience.”
“The arts belong to everyone because each one of us is a player on this stage. This life we find ourselves in is the greatest work of art of all time – now is the time to strike your note.”
Michelle Braswell, Vice President
Event & Program Manager, Buffalo Niagara Partnership
Michelle stands beside her son, Bryan's exhibited artwork.
For Michelle, the arts are an essential part of everyday life. Whether she’s attending a performance, exploring a gallery, or supporting local artists, she believes every creative experience offers an opportunity to discover something new, find inspiration, and connect with others.
Having served ASI through both her former nonprofit role and now as part of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, she brings a valuable cross-sector perspective to our Board of Directors. She is passionate about helping artists and arts organizations access the resources ASI provides and values the opportunity to collaborate with fellow board members who share a deep commitment to Western New York’s creative community.
If she could recommend one arts experience, it would be exploring Buffalo’s many art galleries, each offering a unique opportunity to experience creativity, beauty, and inspiration.
“The arts belong to everyone because they transcend barriers. Regardless of a person’s age, gender, income, race, or education, there is always an experience that can inspire, comfort, challenge, and leave a lasting impression.”
Lindsay Aleshire, Secretary
Senior Vice President, Office of Sustainability – Social Sustainability
Lead, M&T Bank
Lindsay taking center stage with an oboe solo.
A lifelong arts enthusiast, Lindsay spent many years as a musician and dancer before shifting her focus from performing to supporting the arts as a patron. Today, she finds joy in sharing those experiences with her two children, introducing them to everything from art classes and theatre to music festivals and ballet. Together, they attend regional music festivals including the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival in Oak Hill, NY.
Lindsay joined ASI’s Board because she believes in the
organization’s mission to strengthen Western New York’s creative community by connecting artists and arts organizations with the funding, resources, and support they need to thrive.
If she could recommend one arts experience, it would be Music is Art – a festival she loves for its wide variety of music, visual art, and family-friendly atmosphere.
“Art – whether making, watching, or listening – is an essential part of the human experience. Everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the joy of art in whatever form speaks to them.”
Ryan Flore, Treasurer
Investment Adviser Representative, Principal Securities Inc.
Ryan enjoying a summer evening at Shakespeare in Delaware Park.
For Ryan, the arts offer something increasingly valuable: a chance to disconnect from the constant pace of daily life and reconnect with the world around us. Whether through music, visual art, or the beauty of nature, he sees creative experiences as an opportunity to pause, reflect, and engage with the world in a more meaningful way.
He joined ASI’s Board because he believes in the organization’s behind-the-scenes work. Drawn to ASI’s commitment to uplifting artists and arts organizations, he has found purpose in supporting an organization whose impact reaches far beyond what many people see.
If he could recommend one arts experience, it would be Artpark, where world-class performances are set against the
backdrop of the Niagara Gorge. He also encourages everyone to experience the Niagara Celtic Festival, a volunteer-powered event that demonstrates the remarkable role the arts play in bringing communities together.
“The arts belong to everyone because creativity shouldn’t be confined to galleries or concert halls. From murals and public parks to festivals and programs like Arts Access, the arts are becoming part of our everyday lives—and that’s something worth celebrating.”
Nicholas Bond
CEO, American Red Cross WNY Region
Nick Bond
The arts have become a meaningful part of Nick’s family life. From the piano, drums, and trumpet that fill their home to season tickets at Shea’s Performing Arts Center, he and his family make space for creative experiences that inspire curiosity, and shared memories. Museums, concerts, and festivals throughout the region continue to be opportunities for his family to explore and experience the arts together.
Nick joined ASI’s Board because he believes a thriving community is one where everyone has the opportunity to experience, participate in, and benefit from the arts. As a community leader, he is passionate about supporting organizations that help create those opportunities and ensure the arts remain accessible throughout Western New York.
If he could recommend an arts experience, he’d point to Shea’s Performing Arts Center, where he’s building his own family traditions, or Borderland Music & Arts Festival, an event that continues to introduce him to new artists each year.
“The arts belong to everyone because there is no single definition of what art is or what makes it meaningful. Art is deeply personal, and that’s part of what makes it so powerful.”
Sean Crawford, MBA
Director of Advancement, Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology
Board member Sean posing with the instrument that keeps him grounded.
Music has been a constant in Sean’s life. With a background in music education and performance, he has always maintained a connection to the arts – both as a musician and as an audience member. Whether attending a symphony, seeing a play, or exploring a museum exhibit, he sees the arts as a way to remain present and connected to others.
Sean’s relationship with ASI began before joining the Board, through his work as a consultant and grant panelist. Those experiences gave him a firsthand understanding of the organization’s unique role in supporting artists and arts organizations across Western New York. He was proud to join the Board and continue contributing to the work ASI does for the creative community.
His must-see arts experience is Shakespeare in Delaware Park,
a beloved Buffalo tradition that demonstrates how the arts can create shared experiences and bring people together.
“The arts belong to everyone because art is a relationship with yourself and with others. By participating, in whatever way feels meaningful to you, you become part of a global community.”
Rick Davis
Executive Director, 1891 Fredonia Opera House
Rick with his husband, Donn and Broadway’s Eden Espinosa.
For Rick, the arts are both a profession and a lifelong source of connection. As Executive Director of the 1891 Fredonia Opera House, he spends his days creating opportunities for others to experience the arts – and outside of work, he and his husband can often be found in audiences across Western New York and beyond, from concerts at Chautauqua Institution to theater productions in Buffalo, Erie, Toronto, and beyond.
Rick joined ASI’s Board because he has experienced firsthand the impact of ASI’s support. Through funding,
professional development opportunities, and programs like the Springboard Fellowship, he has seen how ASI helps arts organizations grow and thrive.
If he could bring everyone in Western New York to one arts experience, it would (obviously) be a visit to the 1891 Fredonia Opera House, where visitors are given the opportunity to discover the beauty of the historic venue and the variety of performances it offers… and we whole heartedly agree!
“The arts belong to everyone because they help us find our tribe. Through the arts, we discover connection, community, and the people who share our passions. The arts touch everyone.”
Noah Goodling
Director of Programs, Nonprofit Support Group
Noah playing the piano back in the day.
The arts have always been part of Noah’s life – whether as a patron, community theater participant, or lifelong piano player. While he jokes that his board service with Sukanya Burman Dance was not because of his dancing abilities, his appreciation for creativity, storytelling, and cultural expression runs deep.
Having worked with nonprofits across the Southern Tier, Noah has seen firsthand the importance of accessible resources and support for community organizations. His first experience with
ASI came while serving as Executive Director of the Fenton History Center in Jamestown, where he experienced ASI’s commitment to helping organizations throughout the region. When the opportunity arose to join ASI’s Board, he was eager to support an organization doing the kind of work he had relied on throughout his career.
If he could recommend one arts experience, it would be the Jamestown Dance Festival, a celebration that brings internationally recognized artists and audiences together in Chautauqua County through the power of dance.
“The arts belong to everyone because art is about expression, connection, and creativity. Everyone has the ability to create, appreciate, and interpret art—and everyone deserves the opportunity to engage with it.”
Kim LaVare, PMP
Managing Director, Clementine Gold Group
Kim getting lost in a sea of pink.
Creativity is at the center of how Kim approaches the world. Whether she is designing a project, solving a challenge, or creating a space that feels like home, the arts influence how she thinks, works, and connects with others. Music, in particular, remains an important source of expression and balance in her life.
Kim’s connection to ASI began through her work supporting the organization’s DEIA efforts, giving her firsthand insight into ASI’s commitment to building a more inclusive and accessible arts community in WNY. She joined the Board to help champion the arts as a vital part of our region’s identity and to use her expertise to support the artists, organizations, and communities that make our region thrive.
Her must-experience arts destination is Kleinhans Music Hall, where the vision behind the architecture and the excellence of the acoustics create an experience unlike any other.
“The arts belong to everyone because they are not a luxury, but a fundamental part of being human. The arts connect us, preserve our collective memory, and help define who we are.”
Makayla Santiago-Froebel
Interim Associate Director of Belonging and Community Relations Office of Community and Belonging, Chautauqua Institution
Makayla introducing Sonia De Los Santos in Spanish on the Chautauqua stage - a proud first for the institution.
The arts have always been central to Makayla’s life. Growing up in the Bronx in a Puerto Rican family, music, dance, and creativity were woven into everyday experiences – from salsa and bachata to singing in choirs and creating music with family. Those experiences shaped her understanding of the arts as a source of identity, belonging, and connection.
After moving to Western New York for graduate school, Makayla became connected to ASI through its programs and resources, which helped shape her own path in the arts community. She joined the Board to support a mission she
believes in deeply and to help expand access to creative opportunities throughout the region.
Her must-experience arts picks are; El Batey for an unforgettable dance experience and Chautauqua Theater Company at Bratton Theater for exceptional regional theater.
“The arts belong to everyone because they are a universal language – one that gives voice to communities, inspires change, and connects us even when other systems are not accessible.”
Kimberly Schuette
Vice President, Artistic & Orchestra Operations, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
Kimberly backstage at Kleinhans with BPO Music Director JoAnn Falletta and composers Michael Daugherty & Paul Moravec.
The arts are both a profession and a personal practice for Kimberly. In addition to her work supporting world-class performances, she stays creatively connected through piano, viola, and a new interest in visual art. Her career has taken her from the Chautauqua Institution to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, deepening her appreciation for the many ways the arts bring people together.
She joined ASI’s Board after learning about the impact of Arts Access and the organization’s commitment to expanding access to the arts for all audiences throughout WNY.
Her must-experience arts destinations include Kleinhans Music Hall for its welcoming atmosphere and the Chautauqua Institution grounds, where a day of art, performances, learning, and community creates a uniquely Western New York experience.
“The arts belong to everyone because there are no secret rules to follow. Come as you are, experience something new, and discover what speaks to you.”
Katherine L. Wood, Esq.
Senior Legal Counsel, Univera Healthcare
Katie exploring Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle, WA.
The arts look a little different for Katie these days. As a parent, she’s experiencing creativity through her daughter’s eyes – finding joy in drawing, painting, music, and everyday moments of discovery. She believes art is all around us, if we take the time to notice it.
Katie joined ASI’s Board after learning about Arts Access and its mission to ensure everyone has the opportunity to experience the arts. She was inspired by ASI’s broader work supporting artists and arts organizations throughout Western New York.
Her must-visit arts experience is Griffis Sculpture Park, with honorable mentions for Music is Art and Artpark.
“The arts belong to everyone because the ability to experience and create art should not be limited by income or circumstance. Creativity connects us across differences and gives everyone the opportunity to be moved, inspired, and express themselves.”
