The DAC Squad

FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

A visionary mural artist and photojournalist, Leah Beach founded DAC to eliminate the starving artist narrative and build sustainable opportunities for creatives. Her leadership is deeply rooted in global community development and firsthand artistic experience, which fuels the mission of DAC. Leah continues to shape the organization’s model and daily operations with unmatched passion and purpose.

CO-CHAIR & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Kira is a dynamic digital strategist with deep experience building high-performing teams for hospitality brands. Known for her creative problem-solving and mentorship approach, Kira supports DAC’s staff development and helps shape strategic operations as the organization continues to grow.

CO-CHAIR & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

With a background in event planning, outreach, and fundraising through Delaware State Parks, the Center for the Inland Bays, and nonprofit boards, Jennifer brings extensive community engagement expertise to DAC. She currently works in real estate with Compass, blending her strategic networking and marketing skills to elevate DAC’s community presence.

DIRECTOR AT LARGE - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Matt Leibel is a seasoned technology executive and lifelong builder with over 25 years of experience leading innovation at startups and public companies. Most recently serving as Chief Technology Officer at Xometry and holding leadership roles at Vistaprint and Resonate, Matt brings expertise in strategic growth, scaling organizations, and supporting creative communities. He splits his time between the Washington, DC area and coastal Delaware and is passionate about DAC’s mission to empower artists and shift the paradigm toward thriving, self-sustaining creative careers.

CHAIR OF FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE - BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE

Born and raised in Lewes, Tracy Zigman is a proud advocate for local community development, with a deep commitment to empowering others through connection, positivity, and strategic thinking. She brings extensive leadership and financial experience, along with a robust statewide network and a personal passion for helping others develop and believe in themselves. Her professional background spans consumer finance, corporate leadership, team management, and strategic partnerships, and she is eager to support DAC through community outreach and donor development.

BOARD MEMBER AT-LARGE

George combines 25+ years of IT expertise with a passion for the arts, serving as both the owner of NerdsToGo Lewes and a trustee for the Rehoboth Art League. His rare blend of technical insight and creative sensibility strengthens DAC’s infrastructure and ties to the local arts ecosystem.

BOARD MEMBER AT-LARGE

A respected community development and organizational leadership professional, Ed Lewandowski brings more than three decades of experience in strategic planning, nonprofit management, public engagement, and coastal community development. Through his work with the University of Delaware Sea Grant Program and the Sustainable Coastal Communities Initiative, Ed has led efforts focused on land use planning, economic development, environmental resilience, and community partnerships throughout Delaware. An award-winning landscape artist and partner at Gallery One in Ocean View, Ed combines extensive governance experience with a deep appreciation for the arts and a passion for helping organizations create lasting community impact through thoughtful leadership and sustainable growth.

BOARD MEMBER AT-LARGE

Queon Jackson is an educator, entrepreneur, and community advocate dedicated to creating opportunities that strengthen families, youth, and underserved communities. As Co-Founder and Chief Pop Officer of Summer J. Artisan Ice Pops and The Jackson Restaurant Group, he has built mission-driven businesses centered on wellness, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. Queon brings valuable experience in relationship building, strategic partnerships, and nonprofit leadership, along with a strong commitment to fostering inclusive spaces where individuals can thrive. His passion for community impact and collaborative leadership supports DAC's mission of empowering artists and strengthening communities through creativity.

BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE

Alexis Suess is a dynamic and results-driven Senior Branch Manager with a proven track record of driving exceptional team performance, operational excellence, and staff development within the financial services industry. Through strategic leadership, innovative coaching, and a focus on process optimization, she has consistently led her teams to exceed performance goals, achieving as high as 167% to plan while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. In addition to her professional achievements, Alexis is deeply committed to her community, serving on nonprofit boards and actively contributing to initiatives that strengthen local partnerships. With expertise in critical thinking, process improvement, and change management, Alexis excels at building collaborative, high-performance environments where both employees and customers thrive.