Board and Staff

Mike was a practicing lawyer for 42 years before retiring in 2015.  Except for three years in the Federal government, he was in private practice and for the last 30 years of his career, he was a partner in Bryan Cave LLP (now Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP), a large international law firm with 900 lawyers at the time of Mike’s retirement.  His law degree is from Harvard Law School.
Mike’s legal practice centered on large scale commercial litigation, principally dealing with economic, financial and accounting issues.  This representation frequently involved presentations and recommendations to the boards of directors of public companies.
Mike served six years on his firm’s executive committee, including as chairman of the budget committee, and interim chairman of the firm for the purpose of selecting a new permanent chairman.
Mike’s daughter, Megan, has been a member of the Gaithersburg Inclusive Theater Company since ArtStream’s formation, and a before that, was a member of Imagination Stage.

Lisa Gaffney has a consulting practice focused on strategic and business planning, and financial management, and is also an an affiliate consultant with the Support Center for Nonprofit Management.
Following a 25+ year career in finance, Lisa transitioned her primary focus to the nonprofit sphere out of a desire to use her expertise to strengthen organizations in the sector. In addition to independent consulting, Lisa has worked for Wellspring Consulting, FINCA International and the Taproot Foundation. During her finance career, Lisa was a securities analyst, on the sell-side and in institutional asset management, and a banker with firms including Credit Suisse, Lehman Brothers, and JPMorgan Chase.  Lisa received her MBA with a concentration in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and her BA in economics from Duke University.
Lisa’s son Tom is on the autism spectrum and has been an ITC actor for several years. Having seen the confidence, pride and sense of belonging Tom gets from being an ArtStreamer, Lisa is thrilled to support the organization as a Board member.
Lisa lives in Bethesda, MD and New York City.

Formely, Senior Vice President of the National Venture Capital Association(NVCA), Molly Myers has over 25 years of management experience.

Molly is currently a Board Member and serves as the Board President of Residential Continuum, Inc.(RCI).  RCI, a non-profit organization, owns 49 group homes in Montgomery County Maryland housing developmentally disabled men and women.

Molly is married to Frank Myers with two adult children.  Her son Joe is an ArtStream actor of many years and daughter Jane works in corporate communications.

Maggie is a freelance writer and public relations consultant for the University of Maryland. She has nearly 20 years of professional experience in communications writing, marketing and publicity, helping a spectrum of clients — including those in higher education, nonprofit, medicine, and entertainment — share news, showcase significant achievements, and garner exposure from a wider audience. Maggie and her husband Andy have three children. Their son Drew is on the autism spectrum. Maggie first encountered ArtStream when her friend Doreen Cronrath invited her to ArtStream’s Gala. She is inspired by the joy and empowerment ArtStream makes possible. Maggie is honored for the opportunity to promote ArtStream’s efforts. Maggie lives in Bethesda, MD.

Eleanor Allen has an extensive background as a strategic researcher and versatile writer for high-profile campaigns and national nonprofit organizations. As Associate Director, Foundation Relations at Children’s Hospital Foundation, her duties include strategic planning, project management and cultivation of a $1 million fundraising portfolio.
Previously at Advocates for Youth she was responsible for raising approximately $5.5 million annually to support adolescent reproductive and sexual health through strategic planning, prospect identification, proposal development, grant reporting and grants administration. Prior to that, Eleanor coordinated all aspects of foundation relationships and was primary grantwriter for the National Partnership for Women & Families, a national equal rights organization with an annual budget of $8 million.
Eleanor is co-author (with Jennifer Stark) of Corporate Funding – More Straightforward Than You Think, published in the Grassroots Fundraising Journal, May-June 2016. From 2013-16, she served on the community advisory board of the Teen Alliance for Prepared Parenting Program (TAPP) in Washington D.C. She received her B.A. from Syracuse University and her J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law.

Kristen is CEO and Founder of Ning Solutions, Inc, providing high quality, thoughtful, and innovative solutions to government, non-profit, and commercial clients to help them meet their mission efficiently and effectively. Prior to founding Ning Solutions, Kristen worked with Deloitte Consulting where she developed specialized skills in strategic visioning and strategy development, policy design and analytics, and business process design and transformation.

Kristen’s passion for helping those with disabilities started at a young age when she volunteered at the Kilmer Center while attending The Madeira School, in McLean, Virginia. Kristen is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University with a Masters in Public Policy and Management, focusing on international policy and strategy. She is also involved in her family’s private charitable foundation.
Kristen lives in Washington, DC.

Cameron has been a federal government lawyer for most of his career, and is now an Administrative Law Judge with the US International Trade Commission. Prior to that he was an administrative law judge with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  He has been president, secretary, and treasurer of the boards of cooperative apartment buildings, served on state bar committees in New York and D.C., and was the board secretary of his children’s preschool.  As a pro bono lawyer with Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts he helped clients form arts-oriented nonprofit organizations.  He is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Cameron and his wife Carrie live on Capitol Hill with their two children.  He is honored to support and promote ArtStream’s activities.

Sari Hornstein is a 17th century English naval and economic historian. She is also a free-lance writer on topics relating to The Mysteries of the Special Needs Child, that encouraged parents to see their children’s disabilities as a window into the developing mind. Among other things, her articles addressed learning disabilities, depression, post-secondary education opportunities in Maryland, and the transition process: After the School Bus Stops Coming… It’s Not As Scary As You Fear! Her articles have appeared in Washington Parent, Metroparent (Milwaukee), Baltimore’s Child, and have been posted on various websites.

Sari has served or serves on several Boards: The Ivymount School; ArtStream, an inclusive theatre company; the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts; the Advisory Board of the Institute for After School Development, an affiliate of the All Stars Project, that focuses on after school and youth development; and the Quality Advisory Committee of SEEC, a DDA licensed agency that serves adults with disabilities in Maryland. She has supported and advocated for families with children with disabilities for the past 30 years in her capacity as mother of a young man with Autism. Sari graduated from McGill University (BA1978), the London School of Economics (MSc 1980) and Leiden University (PhD 1985).

Sari’s son, Alex, has been involved with ArtStream since 2009. He performs with the Inclusive Theatre Companies and participates in classes. Sari served on the ArtStream Board for two terms, from 2013-2019, and was Vice President from 2016-2019. Sari co-led the Executive Director search in 2015-2016, and served as Co-ED with Pamela Brown for nine months. Sari provided much of the writing for ArtStream’s new website.

Julie is a Principal, Employment and Labor Attorney, at Lerch Early Brewer. She has a BA in History, summa cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh, and a J.D. with honors from the University of Maryland School of Law. Julie helps employers build and maintain productive workplaces by navigating the many federal, state, and local laws protecting employees in the workforce. She counsels management on avoiding and defending against employment claims before administrative agencies and local, state, and federal courts in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Julie’s clients represent a cross-section of the Washington, DC region’s employers, with a mix of blue and white collar environments, particularly in construction and related companies, transportation, property management, professional services, and consulting firms. Many of these are government contractors. Julie counsels and trains executives, HR professionals, and front-line managers on compliance with employment statutes and regulations. This includes best practices for hiring and firing, preventing harassment claims, compliance with wage and hour provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), laws that protect ill, injured or disabled employees, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or state or local laws, and laws specific to the wage and affirmative action obligations of government contractors. Julie volunteers with the Junior League of Washington, and as a Church School Teacher at Westmoreland Congregational UCC.

Paul is a CPA with a broad background and experience in Finance and Administration. He is recently retired from full time work. During his 25-year career, Paul served as Controller or Finance Director of both nonprofit and for-profit organizations in the Washington Metro area. Paul has an MBA and M.Ed. Paul offers experience with budgeting, creating investment policies, managing banking needs, and auditing expertise. Paul is a member of  Our Lady Queen of Peace in Arlington. and the Order of Alhambra Porto 104.  Paul assisted with fundraising activities in his role as a board member. Paul’s daughter, Chelsea, joined ArtStream in 2009 and is an active Inclusive Theatre Company (ITC) actor and class participant. Paul’s wife, Connie, founded Connie’s Chocolate Confections, which can be seen at many ArtStream performances.

Irene Stephens is a healthcare data analyst and public health advocate residing in Washington, DC. She completed a Master of Public Health degree from Morgan State University and earned her bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University. Born in New Orleans, Irene was raised in the Chicago suburbs and attended public schools. She volunteered on numerous political campaigns during her preteen to undergraduate years but decided to pursue a career in public health based on a passion for health education.

Over the past ten years, Irene has worked for organizations dedicated to health equity and transformation across socioeconomic strata. She has published and presented research related to public health performance improvement, and actively participated in several advocacy meetings on Capitol Hill. Her recent experience in hospital administration has influenced a shift to root causes of population health issues. When she is not attending the latest policy discussion or networking event, Irene is likely enjoying the city’s best food, music venue, or cultural experience.

Jonathan Tepper has a 30+ year career as a sales and marketing professional.  He recently accepted a position as Vice-President of Sales for Timberlake Homes, Annapolis Maryland, having spent the last 5 years as President/Owner of Tactical Sales, Inc.; a sales & marketing consultancy firm.

His focus has been on sales training and development and he served on the Northern Virginia Building Association Sales Achievement Committee and the Maryland Builder Association Sales Advisory committee. Over his career Jonathan has been associated with national homebuilders, leading their efforts in land development, sales, and marketing strategies for the mid-Atlantic region.

Jonathan served on the board of the ARC of Montgomery County and has been a coach with Montgomery County Special Olympics for over 15 years.

He received his BBA and his MBA with a concentration in finance and marketing, from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida.

Jonathan is married with one son, who has been performing with ArtStream since 2006.

Jonathan is looking forward to bringing his extensive knowledge to the ArtStream Board, to help further the outreach of this wonderful organization.

Bio coming soon!

Sonia is a senior project manager proficient in driving technical and business process solutions in the areas of legal, financial, H/R, and compliance & ethics at Ernst & Young, IMF, and Fannie Mae.  With over 15 years of full life-cycle project development and implementations, she offers extensive experience in strategic planning, project management, and operations/maintenance, with a key focus on continuous improvement.  She holds a BA degree in Management Information Systems and Marketing from University of South Florida and earned professional certifications in project management and as a Certified Scrum Master.  She has served on the Board at National Presbyterian School and as President and Vice President of the school’s parent association.  She recently completed her 2-year term as Association Treasurer for Washington Latin Public Charter School.

Sonia lives in Washington, DC with her husband and her two teenagers.  She is a proud stepmom to three older children.  Sonia’s son has Autism and ADD and his interest in the arts and theatre is growing.  She is thrilled to contribute her passion and management skills to the continued success of Artstream and its life-enhancing programs.

Delia Zielinski is a teaching artist with ArtStream, where since 2013 she has taught classes in music, drama, movement, social skills, and self-advocacy. She recently co-lead a new Chorus Ensemble Class in fall of 2019.

Outside of ArtStream, Delia is a singer and performer and teaches voice through her own private studio. She has also served as Assistant Minister of Music with Grace Episcopal Church in Silver Spring. She has appeared in productions with Annapolis Opera, Riverbend Opera Company, Center Stage Opera (PA), Loudoun Lyric Opera, Studio Theatre, Montgomery Playhouse, OutoftheBlackBox Theatre Co., DC Playwright’s Forum, and the Capital Fringe Festival. Recent operatic roles include Lisette in La Rondine, Genevieve in Suor Angelica, Nannetta in Falstaff, and Zerlina in Don Giovanni. In oratorio she has performed solos in Faure’s Requiem and Mendelssohn’s Gloria. In concert, she was a featured performer at the Johnny Mercer Music Festival in Savannah, GA, and in recital with the Washington Flute Society, the Kunen Theatre at Levine School of Music, the Kosciuszko Foundation, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library Concert Series. In 2013 Delia released her first solo album, “Boston Two,” featuring songs by American composers Amy Beach and Arthur Foote.

In addition to teaching and performing, Delia still finds time to serve as a musical volunteer with Hospice of Washington County. Delia and her husband live in Hagerstown, MD.