SHAUN CASSIDY (President) is a visionary business strategist, branding expert, and the Founder & CEO of Cassidy Creative Solutions, a San Diego-based consulting firm specializing in innovative growth strategies, digital transformation, and brand elevation. With a career spanning over two decades, Shaun has built a reputation for helping businesses, entrepreneurs, and creative professionals unlock their full potential through strategic positioning, market differentiation, and scalable business models. Shaun’s expertise lies at the intersection of business innovation, storytelling, and digital strategy. His work encompasses brand development, strategic marketing, operational efficiency, and business scaling—guiding startups, Fortune 500 companies, and creative enterprises alike. He has successfully led initiatives that enhance brand visibility, drive customer engagement, and foster sustainable growth in industries such as arts and culture, entertainment, technology, media, finance, and consumer brands.

As a creative problem-solver and business architect, Shaun takes a holistic approach to innovation, blending data-driven insights with compelling brand narratives. His ability to identify market trends, develop high-impact strategies, and implement cutting-edge solutions has made him a sought-after consultant and advisor for businesses looking to gain a competitive edge. Beyond his consulting work, Shaun is an arts advocate for entrepreneurial growth, professional collaboration, and digital transformation. He actively engages with San Diego’s business and creative communities, fostering connections that fuel economic development and industry innovation. Shaun Arron Cassidy’s passion for empowering businesses and leaders extends to speaking engagements, mentorship, and strategic partnerships. Whether helping companies reimagine their brand, scale operations, or navigate the complexities of the digital economy, his mission remains the same: to drive sustainable success through creativity, strategy, and innovation.

MICHELE SACKS LOWENSTEIN (Secretary) was trained in the dramatic arts; acting and winning awards at the Old Globe Theatre many years ago. Michele’s life took a sudden turn when she became an attorney; much to her surprise. The founder of Lowenstein Brown, A P.L.C., Michele has achieved honors for her work as a Certified Family Law Specialist and is now of counsel to the firm of Cage & Miles, LLP. She is also a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst. Michele has a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with emphasis on Theatre Arts. While short on musical talent, Michele comes from a long line of musicians. (Her grandfather played quartets with Albert Einstein, but that’s another story.) This background is evidenced by Michele’s support and interest in various forms of artistic expression. She is an avid theatre, concert, and opera-goer. Michele has an eclectic taste in music with a special appreciation for classic film scores and vintage Broadway Musicals. She and David, her husband, collect art, support a number of local arts organizations, enjoy the culinary arts and travel extensively with an emphasis on cultural attractions. Michele has many interests, which include collecting paper ephemera, and she is an expert on vintage copper jewelry from the 1940s and 1950s.

KEITH MAUTNER (Treasurer) has loved, participated in, and supported the visual, performing, and culinary arts since he was a wee lad.  Live performance is his favorite medium and he has attended nearly 2,000 concerts, plays, musicals, and other shows. He enjoys curating his extensive music collection, much of which is composed of various genres of rock music. Keith is a forensic accountant (fraud investigator), a consulting expert and a testifying expert; and has investigated fraudulent financial statements by public companies for more than 20 years.  Before that, he was responsible for preparing corporate financial statements, or audited them.  Keith has lectured at universities for undergraduate and graduate students, and has spoken about accounting fraud at conferences, seminars and webinars.  He is a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Fraud Examiner, and is Certified in Management Accounting.  Keith is President of FAILSAFE CPA, which he founded in 2008.

LISANE BASQUIAT (Board Member at Large) is a dynamic leader, entrepreneur, and life strategist with a diverse background that spans across the realms of corporate, artistic, and personal development. As a former corporate executive, Lisane has a wealth of experience in navigating the challenges of the professional world while maintaining a focus on personal growth and well-being. With a passion for empowering others to find balance and fulfillment, Lisane founded Shaping Freedom, an organization dedicated to guiding individuals in breaking free from emotional constraints and embracing their inner strength. Through her work as a life strategist with Shaping Freedom, Lisane has become a leading force in the fields of spiritual and personal growth, inspiring countless individuals to reclaim control over their lives and rewrite their personal narratives through her workshops and the Shaping Freedom with Lisane Basquiat podcast.

Lisane is the owner of Hera Hub Carlsbad, a female-focused coworking space that fosters collaboration, creativity, and connection among women entrepreneurs. This innovative space further demonstrates her commitment to creating supportive environments where individuals can thrive both personally and professionally.

 Lisane’s artistic heritage runs deep as the co-administrator of the estate of her late brother, renowned artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. In this role, she not only preserves and shares her brother’s legacy but also nurtures the artistic spirit within others. As co-curator and co-executive producer of the Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure exhibition, Lisane showcases her brother’s groundbreaking work while offering a platform for new generations to explore the impact and importance of artistic expression.

Lisane was recognized as the NAWBO San Diego’s 2022 Business Woman of the Year. She has been featured in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Good Morning America, the Tavis Smiley Show, the Karen Hunter Show, the Rolling Stone and more. With her unique blend of professional expertise, artistic insight, and passion for personal growth, Lisane Basquiat is a powerful force in empowering others to find balance, fulfillment, and the strength to create lasting, positive change in their lives.

JOHNNY BEAR CONTRERAS (Board Member at Large) is a recognized public artist, sculptor, and community leader. Through art he contextualizes the Native Community in a contemporary setting allowing it to be preserved for generations ahead. An award-winning artist, his multi-disciplinary contributions to the local art world and indigenous communities, are displayed throughout California and the United States. Each piece is a testament and dedication to keeping the Kumeyaay and Native American heritage alive. Serving as a board member, cultural practitioner and advisor for numerous organizations, Johnny truly puts in the work. Making sure the importance of Native American culture and its preservation is for generations to come.

With over 30 years as a public artist, Johnny has worked with mediums including stone, wood, and metals such as: bronze, stainless steel, and aluminum.​ Johnny’s Kumeyaay sculptures and public art is displayed throughout San Diego and Imperial County, including institutes; San Diego State University, UC San Diego and University of San Diego. His work has been featured in galleries and cultural exhibitions across the country. Each piece he creates, a testament to his dedication to keeping the Kumeyaay and Native American heritage alive and thriving.​

Johnny is on the board for the La Jolla Historical Society and has been an advisor for the Climate Science Alliance going into his second term. Some past projects include Casa Familiar Far South Border North (FSBN) project with the City of San Diego and Imperial County. In addition, he supported the cultural component for the project Las Amia. A sustainable building design: ranging from garden to cultural center. An educational offering center that touches all levels. Additional current site-specific university projects include the SDSU Living Land Acknowledgement for the San Diego and Imperial campuses, which includes building a public art training facility for students and the next generation. UCSD When the World Comes To Life sculpture, and the USD Kumeyaay Garden. Some of his current projects through his foundation include KNAPP – Kumeyaay Native Arts Pathway Programs, NVAP – Native Veteran Art Programs, Indigi-Con, and play and comic Shuuluk Wechiwvi – Where Lightning Was Born! A trinational perspective on the revitalization of the Tijuana Estuary. Johnny was selected for the Marine Debris Leadership Academy fall 2025 and is the 2026 Fellow for the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve (TRNERR).

Johnny’s passion as a public artist, is providing continuous positive impacts, while mentoring and training the next gen.

PILIALOHA KILOHANA ESTALL (Board Member at Large) is the founder of XCELL8, City In Design -Youth Indicators®️ and Eyaay Ahuun PR agencies and think tanks. With an emphasis on building sustainable communities, Arts + Culture, Tribal Consulting, and Environmental Stewardship.  She is also the co-founder of the Eyaay Ahuun Foundation which is a Hub for Native Arts Pathways.

She is a board member with San Diego Sister Cities and Coronado Schools Foundation which fundraises for arts & STEM pathways for K–12 and Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA) Charter School. In addition, she was part owner of Tonight in San Diego, a local late night variety talk show promoting the creative industries in San Diego. Also an original partner of Finest City Entertainment, she helped launch a local full service media production and broadcast company, supporting the local creative industry in production and live broadcasting. With productions including, TEDxSanDiego, San Diego Music Awards, San Diego Film Awards, and public service / nonprofit organizations in Arts + Culture. 

Her favorite pass-time is golfing with her daughter and professional Polynesian dancing for over 30 years, with Halau’s all over San Diego, Southern California, Hawai’i and Tahiti.  And currently dances with the San Diego Hula Academy.  

HEATH FOX (Board Member at Large) is an arts and culture professional and retired museum director. He is the former Executive Director of the La Jolla Historical Society, where he developed a trans-historical, interdisciplinary, collaborative practice across arts, humanities, and science fields. He organized diverse exhibitions and educational programs that ranged cultural heritage, diversity awareness, architectural history, urbanism, and environmental issues. His career assignments include Assistant Dean of Arts and Humanities at UC San Diego; and Director of Administration at the San Diego Museum of Art and the Museum of Photographic Arts. He served on the Board of Directors of the San Diego Museum Council and the Balboa Art Conservation Center, and on the Arts Commission of the city of Carlsbad. He holds an MA in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester, a BS in Business Finance from Virginia Tech, and is a graduate of executive education programs at the Getty Leadership Institute and Harvard Business School.

ANTONIO IANNOTTA (Board Member at Large) is the Artistic Director of the San Diego Italian Film Festival. Antonio received his Ph.D. in Communication and Media Studies from University of Salerno (Italy). He has published essays on cinema, TV series, comics, theory of media, and a monograph about Samuel Beckett. A forthcoming book is Il cinema audiotattile – Suono e immagine nell’esperienza cinematografica. He has worked as Communications Director for several International Festivals. Antonio teaches Italian language and culture at the University of San Diego and encourages extra-curricular activities that deepen students’ understanding of Italian language and culture thanks to his collaborations in the Italian community, from the San Diego Italian Film Festival to the Italian Cultural Center.

KATTY IBARRA is the Regional Director of the San Diego & Imperial Women’s Business Center (WBC), hosted by Southwestern College. As a bilingual small business owner, Katty is passionate about empowering female entrepreneurs. She leads the WBC with a deep commitment to fostering women’s economic justice and entrepreneurial opportunities through the development of programs, business advising, and training initiatives. Driven by a strong sense of purpose in social impact, innovation, and community engagement, Katty is dedicated to creating positive change within her community.

Katty holds a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from the Universidad del Valle de Mexico and a Master of Science in Marketing from National University. With over 15 years of experience in branding, marketing, and social media, she also owns a binational marketing firm that specializes in small business and marketing strategies.

Born and raised in Mexico City, Katty developed an early passion for visual arts, starting to paint at a young age using various techniques. Her academic background in graphic design allowed her to explore her creative side further, and in 2018, she rediscovered painting as a therapeutic outlet. Using mixed media techniques such as resin and acrylics, Katty creates abstract works that serve as both personal expression and stress relief.

JEFFERSON JAY (Board Member at Large) is a passionate advocate for inclusion and equality in the arts, using his talents as a musician, director, and storyteller to create opportunities that celebrate diversity and foster understanding. At the heart of his mission is The Hunt for the Holiday Spirit, a groundbreaking animated holiday musical series featuring a full cast of actors with disabilities. This visionary project exemplifies Jefferson’s commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices and creating stories that inspire and unite. As the founder of Everybody One, Jefferson continues to champion inclusion by cultivating collaborative creative opportunities across all artistic disciplines. His work empowers artists to embrace their unique voices while contributing to a shared vision of equity and accessibility. Jefferson’s dedication to celebrating the arts extends to his community-focused leadership. In 2018, he founded the San Diego Music Hall of Fame, an annual event honoring the rich musical legacy of the region. Through this initiative, Jefferson highlights the contributions of local musicians and fosters a deeper appreciation for San Diego’s cultural history. Since 2008, Jefferson has also curated and hosted Acoustic Evenings at The Athenaeum, a premier concert series showcasing the finest acoustic talent San Diego has to offer. The series emerged from his graduate research on the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, reflecting his lifelong commitment to preserving and enriching local arts institutions. A prolific musician, Jefferson is currently working on his latest album, Engagement, which continues his exploration of connection and shared human experiences. His unwavering commitment to inclusivity and community has established him as a leader, innovator, and beloved figure in San Diego’s creative world.

DIEM JONES (Board Member at Large) is a thought leader, writer, poet/musician, multidisciplinary producer, content provider, and program designer. In addition to directing creative writing programs at six U.S. university campuses, his work as a writer has garnered critical acclaim in books, anthologies, music videos, industrial films, documentaries, and commercials. He is currently the COO of Penn Global Visions/Penn Global Medical Group, CEO of All One Consulting, and Vice President/Co-founder of the Institute for Community Evolution.

He is co-founder and past Executive Director of Voices of Our Nations Arts Foundation (VONA). Additionally, he has served as: Executive Director of Murray Grove Retreat and Renewal Center; Deputy Director of Arts Council Silicon Valley; Program Officer at the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities as well as Director of Grants at the Houston Arts Alliance and Administrative Director of East Bay Center for the Performing Arts. Jones was Art Director for George Clinton and the Parliament-Funkadelic. Additionally, he has managed health and wellness practices in California, New Jersey and Philadelphia. Diem Jones has also completed advanced courses in Mind, Body Medicine protocols from the Center for Mind, Body Medicine in Washington, DC, as well as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of South Florida. His most recent book, “God: The Journey Within,” was published in March of 2023 by Cedar Grove Publishing. He recently completed a book tour, presenting readings and workshops from the book, which concluded at the O Street Museum in Washington, DC. Diem’s most recent musical spoken-word CD, “A Spirit of Oui,” and his previous CDs, “Equanimity” and “Black Fish Jazz,” have been performed with the Equanimity Band at venues throughout the US, including the San Jose Jazz Festival. In addition, his photo biography of George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, “#1 Bimini Road”, continues to be a best seller in the ever-expanding fan base of the group. He has also designed exhibitions for organizations, including the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art, and served as a review panelist for national, regional, and international funding organizations. Diem also serves as a Board Member of several organizations, including: Vanguard Culture, Silicon Valley African Film Festival, and Red Bank Housing Authority.

DR. BRIAN LESSON (Board Member at Large) Brian is a San Diego-based business educator and culinarian. He’s the rare combination of creative thinker, numbers lover, and detail fanatic. He currently leads the hospitality department at San Diego Mesa College and was a founding faculty member at Alliant International University’s Master of Business Administration program in Hospitality Leadership.

During his career he’s worked with creative, strategic, and operational teams in hotels, restaurants, education, and talent management, instilling elevated customer service and modern atmospheres for guests and colleagues.

Brian’s academic journey includes studying Culinary Arts at Delhi College of Technology and Hospitality Business Management at Buffalo State University. His advanced degrees include a Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Roosevelt University and a Doctorate in Business Administration from California Southern University.

ADRIANA MARTINEZ (Board Member at Large) is an independent curator, editor, writer and cultural activist. She has an M.A. in Women’s Studies at San Diego State University, a special degree in Art Policies and Art Management at Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, and a B.A. in Art History at Universidad Iberoamericana. She is currently chief curator at La Caja Galería in Tijuana, B.C., member of the Laboratorio Curatorial Feminista and co-editor of ANTiDOGMA, the signature arts and culture magazine for the Universidad de la Comunicación. She worked for the Museo del Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Museo Nacional de Arte—both in Mexico City—for almost 5 years. Her main areas of interest are performance art, the representation of women’s bodies and sexuality, and liminal spaces/categories. Born and raised in Mexico City, her scholarly and creative work is deeply informed by her own border experience, since having lived in the San Diego/Tijuana region for more than 5 years. She has published several art related articles, both in English and Spanish, and has curated over 15 exhibitions applying feminist and decolonial methodologies, both in USA and Mexico.