Core Staff

AHCMC’s highly experienced and effective core staff serve a variety of constituents including organizations, individuals, educators and the general public. Core staff lead the key functional areas for AHCMC which includes: grants, communications, program services, advocacy, policy development, strategic planning and administration.

Suzan E. Jenkins, Chief Executive Officer
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Suzan E. Jenkins is a leader in the non-profit arts and culture sector having served in executive positions at the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, the Smithsonian Institution and the Recording Industry Association of America.

A Peabody Award winning producer of the radio series Let the Good Times Roll for Public Radio International, Jenkins has been recognized for her leadership and entrepreneurial endeavors, including by the Gazette of Politics and Business, Women Business Leaders of Maryland, Jazz Alliance International, the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival and Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture. As co-founder of the Nonprofit Energy Alliance, Jenkins is the recipient of Washingtonian Magazine’s Green Giant Award.

Jenkins serves on the Boards of Maryland Citizens for the Arts and Nonprofit Montgomery; as a mentor for Women of Color in the Arts; on the Montgomery County MD Remembrance and Reconciliation Commission; on the Community Advisory Council of WETA and on the American University Arts Management Advisory Council. Jenkins has been a fellow of National Arts Strategies: Chief Executive Program and a former Board member of DataArts, previously known as the Cultural Data Project. Jenkins is an Executive Coach and holds an Honorary Degree in Public Service from Montgomery College, MD; a BS in Psychology and Management, and an MBA from the University of Maryland.

Joe Frandoni, Deputy Director
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Joe Frandoni has worked in arts management and advocacy for the past seven years; advocating for expanded cross-cultural dialogue, increasing visibility for artists, and implementing innovative business solutions for cultural nonprofits. Having earned a Masters Degree in Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University as well as his Graduate Degree in Innovation and Organization of Culture and the Arts from the University of Bologna in Bologna Italy, Joe brings with him an extraordinary amount of knowledge and experience. Always striving to help arts organizations expand their brand and implement sustainable business solutions, he has held previous positions with the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the Kennedy Center, the Center for Arts Management and Technology and as a private consultant providing capacity building, strategic planning and marketing services to a myriad of different local and regional cultural organizations. A native of Ohio, he is very excited to work with all of the arts and humanities organizations that the AHCMC serves and become involved with the incredible cultural initiatives that are taking place in Montgomery County.

Takenya LaViscount, Grants Director
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Takenya LaViscount has thirteen years of experience working for arts organizations, communicating the vital importance of the arts to the public both locally and nationally. Prior to joining AHCMC, she managed the Challenge America grant program for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and contributed to the agency’s role in grants management for eight years. Challenge America is a national, multidisciplinary funding source that enables eligible entities, particularly those organizations that are small or mid-sized, to extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations—those demographics whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity / race, economics, or disability. She managed over 500 grant awards for professional arts programming and for projects that emphasize the potential of the arts in community development. Takenya was employed as a fundraising professional by Washington Performing Arts Society (WPAS) and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES). She earned a Masters Degree in Arts Management from American University, takes voice lessons, and loves to sing when time permits. A native New Yorker by birth, Takenya has proudly called the DMV her home for over fifteen years.

Jesus Guzman, Assistant Grants Manager
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Jesus Guzman, a passionate arts professional originally from Chicago, IL has joined the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County as our new Assistant Grants Manager. With a dedicated focus on promoting accessibility and inclusivity in the arts, Jesus has demonstrated a commitment to making a meaningful impact in the cultural and artistic landscape. Jesus earned Masters Degree’s in Art History and Museum Studies from American University. Additionally, as a Grant Writer and Program Manager at Awakenings Arts Center, Jesus excelled in crafting persuasive grant proposals, nurturing donor relationships, and identifying new funding opportunities. Their dedication to inclusivity was showcased in the creation of safe spaces for survivors of sexual violence to share their stories and in promoting creative outlets as healing practices. Jesus brings a wealth of experience in grant writing, program management, and advocacy for inclusive arts. Their track record of success and unwavering commitment to ensuring artistic expression is open to all, regardless of background or circumstance, positions them as a valuable asset to the cultural community in Montgomery County.

Krystle Seit, Grants Coordinator
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Krystle Seit is a creative, experienced arts professional who has worked throughout the mid-Atlantic region. With close to twenty years of experience in theatre, teaching artistry, arts administration, and program management, she has witnessed the power of the arts to advocate, to educate, and connect communities. Originally from the New York and New Jersey area she has worked with organizations such as Premiere Stages, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, National Dance Institute, Imagination Stage, and Kean University’s Theatre Conservatory. Passionate about making arts experiences accessible to all people regardless of age, ability, or circumstance Krystle was fortunate enough to work with many DC arts organizations and individual artists during her recent time as a Grants Management Specialist with the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities. A Montgomery County resident, she is looking forward to continuing her work in grants and furthering AHCMC’s mission by supporting artists and arts and humanities organizations intentionally and equitably. As a performer Krystle works with “Spoonie Theater”, a fully virtual theater group aiming to include folks with varying disabilities. 

Flannery Winchester, Public Art Manager
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Flannery grew up in South Florida and began drawing, painting and making things with her hands from an early age. Prior to joining AHCMC, Flannery supported artists and arts organizations creating public-facing, community-engaged projects throughout the borough of Manhattan while working with the Grants & Services team at the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC). Previously, she worked with the Cultural Affairs department at the Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts (BOPA), where she supported artists in the process of creating temporary public art projects and managed educational programs at School 33 Art Center. Flannery earned her B.F.A. in Interdisciplinary Sculpture from the Maryland Institute College of Art and her M.A. in Arts Administration from Goucher College. She is passionate about connecting artists with critical resources and communities with great arts and cultural experiences. Flannery joined AHCMC in 2022 and is thrilled to be working with Montgomery County’s artists and communities in her role managing the Public Art Program.

Brittney Dubose, Marketing & Communications Manager
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Brittney Dubose has eight years of experience working in the field of arts administration; designing creative learning experiences for youth, developing strategies to elevate the visibility of artists and organizations, and communicating the power and impact of the arts through storytelling. After earning a Masters Degree in Public Administration, with a focus in Non-Profit Management from the University of North Texas, Brittney held a position with the City of Dallas’ Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA). In this role, she worked to rebuild and expand the OCA’s brand, create sustainable digital marketing strategies, and increase the visibility of the Dallas arts community. Passionate about uplifting arts, Brittney provides digital marketing services to several arts organizations and artists located in both in the DMV and Dallas areas. Originally from DC, Brittney is happy to have returned home and is excited about the opportunity to work with AHCMC to uplift the arts and humanities in Montgomery County.

Sierra Smith, Constituent Services & Engagement Assistant Manager
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Sierra Smith is a dynamic and accomplished creative strategist with a robust background in arts administration and marketing. She excels in developing and implementing innovative strategies that drive audience growth, foster community involvement, and amplify diverse narratives. With a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Morgan State University and a background rooted in the arts, Sierra brings a unique perspective to her work. Sierra’s tenure at the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County has included remarkable achievements in community engagement and brand visibility through effective marketing strategies and collaborative efforts with grantees. Sierra is driven by a passion for storytelling and a commitment to curating meaningful experiences. Sierra’s professional journey is underscored by her continuous pursuit of learning and growth, evident through her completion of the Executive Program in Arts & Culture Strategy at the University of Pennsylvania (National Arts Strategies) and her participation in various professional development initiatives, including the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance (GBCA) Urban Arts Leadership Fellowship and the BIPOC Emerging Leaders Coaching Cohort (BELCC). A native Washingtonian and longtime resident of Montgomery County, Sierra remains deeply connected to her community and is dedicated to fostering its cultural vibrancy. With a track record of success and a passion for driving positive change through the arts, Sierra is poised to continue making meaningful contributions to the creative landscape

Mary Nichols, Technology, Data and Operations Assistant Manager
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Mary Nichols, known as DJ Fusion, hails from Southern Maryland (Prince George’s County) and has always harbored a deep passion for the creative arts, particularly within the realm of music. Over her professional journey, she has held various administrative positions in adult education, property management, and the tech startup sphere. Notably, her tenure at ID.me provided her the opportunity to re-engage with one of her academic interests: data analysis and technological advancement.In 1998, as an undergraduate at Rutgers University, Mary founded FuseBox Radio Broadcast, an evolving U.S.-based mixshow. From its origins as a radio show (which later transitioned into a podcast), the FuseBox Radio is dedicated to restoring balance to Black Radio through a diverse and international mix of independent and mainstream Black Music (including Hip-Hop, Soul, Jazz, Reggae, Rock, Funk, House, and more), coupled with insightful commentary, news updates, and guest interviews. Over the years, she has performed at various prestigious events as a DJ, including the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Marine Corps Marathon, North by Northeast (NXNE), D.C. International Film Festival, Musikfest, D.C. State Fair, Bowery Poetry Club, Nuyorican Poets Cafe, among others. Mary has delivered a music-related talk at TEDxOrlando and as spoken as an individual and in panels at various events as an expert in independent music as a business and passion.

Consultants

AHCMC contracts with consultants who are recognized specialists in their fields to manage discreet programs and provide key services. With the assistance of our consulting staff, AHCMC maintains an active public art program, a vibrant arts education program and is undertaking the development of a web-based multimedia exhibition on the folk and traditional arts of Montgomery County.

Interns

Interns provide invaluable support for the many programs presented by AHCMC.

Board of Directors

Executive Committee

• Lauren Cook
  Board Chair; Executive Committee
  Visual Artist and Instructor
  St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Potomac, Maryland
• Prof. Cinder Cooper Barnes
  Board Vice Chair, Advocacy Committee 
  Director of the Global Humanities Institute, Professor of English
  Global Humanities Institute
• Ryan Lorey
  Board Treasurer; Chair, Finance Committee,
  Public Arts Trust Steering Committee
  Director of Planning
  EDENS
• Elaine Robnett Moore
  Board Secretary; Grants Committee
  Artist and CEO
  Elaine Robnett Moore Collection

Board Members

• Eleanor Choi
  Chair, Public Arts Trust Steering Committee
  Senior Project Manager and Architect
  Page
• Ruby Lopez Harper
  Chair, Advocacy Committee
  Executive Director
  CERF+
• Sarah Andrew Wilson
  Chair, Grants Committee
  Strategic Entrepreneur and Performing Arts Leader
• Dr. Sharon Fechter
  Chair, Governance Committee
  Dean of Humanities, Professor of Spanish
  Montgomery College
• Norman Rogers
  CEO, Kno
  American Gene Technologies
• Daniel Guzman
  Grants Committee
  Curator of Public Programs
  Torpedo Factory
• Feby Emelio
  Executive Associate, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) 

Adjunct to the Board

• Kenneth A. Lechter, Esq.
  Legal Counsel

Ex Officio

• Suzan Jenkins
  Chief Executive Officer, Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County
• Dana Pauley
  Chair, Audit Committee
  President, Leadership Montgomery