Meet the DAC Squad

Visionaries Behind the Mission

At DAC, we believe in the power of creativity to transform lives and communities. Meet the passionate team and dedicated board members driving our mission forward every day.

How We Work

DAC operates under a collaborative leadership model that prioritizes accountability, innovation, and shared purpose. Our full-time staff consists of dedicated managers who lead day-to-day operations across all programs and spaces. Strategic oversight is provided by our Executive Committee, and our Founder currently serves in a full-time contracted role, working alongside the team to support organizational growth.

Our Board of Directors is deeply engaged — stewarding donor relationships, monitoring financial health, mentoring staff, and guiding program development. Each member is committed to sustaining DAC’s mission and ensuring artists and communities continue to thrive through our work.

DAC’s Leadership Staff

  • A person with short blond hair, wearing a beige jacket, standing outdoors by a waterfront with trees and blue sky in the background.

    Ryan Vai

    ARTIST DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

    Ryan has helped build our Local Artist Development and Emerge programs since the start.

    ryan@developingarts.org

  • A woman with sunglasses holding a tablet sits at an outdoor counter under a corrugated metal roof. She wears an orange shirt and has a watch on her wrist. A colorful van and trees are in the background. String lights are hung on the roof.

    Kathy Poole

    STRATEGIC OPERATIONS MANAGER

    Kathy keeps the team and board aligned with the strategic plan and manages all DAC personnel.

    kathy@developingarts.org

  • Smiling person leaning on a desk, wearing an orange t-shirt, with a colorful striped wall and computer in the background.

    Ashley Woolsey

    ARTPOTHECARY MANAGER

    Ashley runs all of the operations of the Artpothecary and Artist Rising program.

    ashley@developingarts.org

  • Person smiling, holding trays with paint, standing in front of colorful abstract mural.

    Laura Gaeng

    ARTPOTHECARY PRODUCTION MANAGER

    Laura runs the back end of the Artpothecary creative programming.

    laura@developingarts.org

  • Woman holding a sunflower and a gray tabby cat outdoors at sunset.

    Sophia Sawicki

    CROSS-DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS MANAGER

    Sophia manages all of our office and admin tasks and coordinates our events.

    sophia@developingarts.org

Meet Our Board of Directors

  • Leah Beach

    FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

    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.

  • Kira McCabe

    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.

  • Jennifer Jones

    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.

  • Ashlee Martinelli

    EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

    With over a decade of experience in hospitality sales and event management, Ashlee leads sales teams across three Hyatt hotels and builds strong relationships in the Rehoboth Beach market. Her passion for community connections and entrepreneurial spirit—also reflected in her ownership of Helios Sunglasses—make her a natural advocate for DAC’s mission.

  • Thomas Carney

    BOARD MEMBER AT-LARGE

    A seasoned real estate attorney and founder of T. Carney Sussex Law, Tom brings legal acumen and local insight to DAC. With board roles across Sussex Strong and the Big Fish Foundation, Tom’s dedication to regional development and property law informs DAC’s organizational strategy and community footprint.

  • Alexis Suess

    BOARD MEMBER AT-LARGE

    Alexis is a high-impact leader in financial services, known for driving operational excellence and cultivating strong, growth-focused teams. As VP and Branch Manager at M&T Bank, she brings deep expertise in process improvement and community banking, making her a vital asset in DAC’s strategic financial stewardship.

  • GW Thompson

    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.

  • Bryan Selders

    BOARD MEMBER AT-LARGE

    Bryan is a creative force at Dogfish Head Brewery, where he’s led R&D innovation, brand development, and business expansion for over two decades. With a BFA in painting and a career that bridges fine art, design, and craft brewing, he brings an experienced entrepreneurial lens to DAC’s programming.