Staff
Ariel Shelton
Co-Executive Director External Relations + Community Impact
ashelton@cultureworksphila.org
Ariel has a robust background working to support organizations that uplift cultural expression across diverse communities. She is the co-founder of The Arts Administrators of Color Network, a non-profit organization she helped establish in 2016. There, she stewarded programs that provide professional development and networking opportunities for arts leaders throughout the United States.
She also served as Program Manager for the Social Impact department at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where she helped manage projects and events geared towards amplifying the work of a diversity of artists throughout the performing arts sector on local and national levels.
Past professional experiences include work with The Pride Center of Maryland, The National Guild for Community Arts Education, National Arts Strategies, The String Queens, The MusicianShip, The Washington Women in Jazz Festival, Save The Music Foundation, the Lewis Prize for Music, and Washington Performing Arts.
Ariel's passion for cultural expression began as a French Horn player. She has performed with various ensembles worldwide, including sharing the Grammy's stage with Lizzo and participating in an international festival in Guadeloupe honoring composer Chevalier de Saint George. Nowadays, she enjoys exploring her creativity through visual art making. Ariel is a graduate of Howard University, where she obtained a degree in Music Business.
Melinda Steffy, She/Her
Co-Executive Director Membership + Development Strategy
Melinda loves when creative practice and social impact collide, and her 20-year career in the nonprofit sector has been deeply shaped by her perspective as a visual artist and musician.
In 2020, Melinda founded Concentric Strategy, a consultancy that brings an ecosystem mindset to nonprofit strategy and communications, and has worked with more than 20 clients representing the arts and culture, education, environment, philanthropy, and social justice sectors.
Previously, Melinda served as Executive Director of music nonprofit LiveConnections (now World Cafe Live Education), where she was the first staff hire in its start-up stage and led the organization for over eight years through significant growth. She also held positions at The Music School of Delaware, SteegeThomson Communications, and Woodland Montessori School.
Melinda has an MFA in painting from The University of the Arts and a bachelor's degree from Eastern Mennonite University, and is a Standards for Excellence Pennsylvania Licensed Consultant. She maintains an active visual art practice and regularly exhibits around the region, and she also sings with the Chestnut Street Singers.
James Haro, He/Him
Fiscal Sponsorship Operations Manager
jharo@cultureworksphila.org
267-379-8329
James Daniel Haro is a Mexican American artist/administrator with an extensive background in professional theatre and arts management. He is a native of San Gabriel, CA; born and raised in Los Angeles. He has been living and working in the nonprofit arts sector in Philadelphia for more than a decade.
James received his Bachelor of Science degree in Entertainment and Arts Management from Drexel University with a concentration in Theatre. He has gained experience in an array of fields, including theatre production, arts administration, operations management, sales and customer service, and has experience in steering organizational practices through a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. He is also a playwright, a singer/songwriter, and hosts and performs at the occasional open-mic night in the Greater Philadelphia area.
Cat Aboudara, She/Her
Community Operations Manager Communications + Activations
caboudara@cultureworksphila.org
267-376-2674
Cat is a nerd herder at heart. She loves connecting space, resources, and people and has been doing so while nerding out in museums since her 20s. She has produced provocative programming for Laurel Hill Cemetery, the Franklin Institute, the Smithsonian Museums, the California Academy of Sciences, and Nerd Nite that fosters life-long learning for adults through curiosity and play. She is also an unabashed fan of Marie Kondo and her magical art of tidying up. Obviously, she is so enjoying "sparking joy" through tidying and creating flow at CultureWorks' Suite 320 coworking space. When not at work, she spends a copious amount of time with her wolfy husky mix, Umi; she can be heard exclaiming “Oh my, what a big stretch!” more times than she is likely to admit.
Ellen Snyder, She/Her
Senior Finance Director
esnyder@cultureworksphila.org
267-875-3484
Ellen brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to CultureWorks, having served in accounting and management capacities for many years. She values the role of culture in everyday life and well understands the world of the cultural non-profit. She spent 17 years as Accounting Specialist for Darlington Arts Center, in Garnet Valley, PA. Before Darlington, Ellen spent 5 years at TSO Management in Media, PA, overseeing the accounting needs of a multi-office, multi-state organization. Ellen earned her BS in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Johnny Gerant, He/Him
Finance Manager
jgerant@cultureworksphila.org
267-376-5973
Johnny Gerant boasts a decade-long commitment to various arts and culture initiatives in the Greater Philadelphia region. Prior to assuming his role at CultureWorks, Mr. Gerant played a pivotal role in a charity-based arts collective, contributing to the successful execution of events tailored to Philadelphia's dynamic underground music community. As a first-generation Haitian-American, Johnny Gerant possesses a profound appreciation for the transformative impact that non-profit organizations can have on local communities. His dedication to supporting artists is not merely a professional obligation but a personal passion that fuels his commitment to fostering positive change. Witnessing the tangible, real-world benefits of his work within the CultureWorks network across Philadelphia serves as a constant source of fulfillment for Mr. Gerant. Johnny studied liberal arts at Muhlenberg College and brings a well-rounded academic foundation to his role. His diverse experiences, coupled with a nuanced understanding of financial and systems management, contribute significantly to the success and impact of CultureWorks in the vibrant cultural landscape of Philadelphia.
Ashaki Reid
Accounts Payable Coordinator
Ashaki Reid is a dynamic professional with a Communications degree from Temple University's Klein College of Media and Communications. Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, Reid spent three enriching years studying fashion and journalism in Tokyo, Japan, and also honed her skills at Howard University's School of Communications in Washington, DC.
Throughout her career, Reid has made significant contributions to various startups and non-profit organizations along the east coast. Her versatile skill set spans finance, marketing, and communications, making her a valuable asset in any professional setting.
Beyond her career achievements, Reid actively engages in community service and volunteering initiatives, showcasing her dedication to making a positive impact. In her downtime, she enjoys quality time with friends, explores creativity through fashion design, and manages her small business, Rebel Reid, a women's fashion brand. Additionally, she passionately supports the local arts community in Philadelphia and globally in her travels. A well-rounded individual, Reid is dedicated to both her career and community with the goal of having a positive impact wherever she goes.