Staff Members

Arianna Ross, Chief Executive Officer and Thought Leader

Arianna is the Founder of Story Tapestries. A sought-after writer, performer, and educator, she is considered a leader in arts integration and storytelling. As CEO since 2010, Arianna, with the support of the Board, has developed ST into a successful non-profit that obtained status as an America’s Promise Alliance partner in 2012 and earned and has maintained “Superstar” status on GlobalGiving.org since 2014. For 26+ years Arianna has taught and performed at colleges, libraries, schools, and community centers. As part of her job, she continues to work with artists and teachers developing innovative programs and concepts. She has presented at Kennedy Center’s VSA Intersections (2019, 18, 17, 16), American Alliance For Theatre And Education (2021, 18), Turnaround Arts (2018), PG County Arts Integration Conference (2017), Anne Arundel County Arts Integration Conference (Instructor 2016, Keynote 2015), Teacher Leader Institute for NWP@WVU (2016), CETA Professional Learning Series for the Kennedy Center (2014), East TN State University (2014, 2012), National Storytelling Conference (2013), and National Association of the Educators of Young Children Conference (2012, 2010). Arianna is a recent graduate of Leadership Montgomery’s CORE class of 2021 and is an active member of the Metro Bethesda Rotary Club and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. She participated in the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County’s Racial Equity Learning Cohort and completed Nonprofit Montgomery’s REAL Inclusion and MORE training programs. Arianna completed intensive training to become a certified nonprofit consultant through the Standards for Excellence Institute in November 2023. She has been accepted in Leadership Maryland’s class of 2025.

Lorienne Beals, Vice President & Chief Development Officer

Lorienne has been working with ST since October 2010 and helped the organization transition to a nonprofit. She brings more than 10 years of experience in nonprofit administration prior to commencing work with Story Tapestries, and 8 years in the corporate world in finance and project management roles. In her last position at a Shared Services financial center, she supervised a team of 10 as the Cash Applications Manager. She began with ST as the Booking Manager, became Program Manager, then helped develop the current Strategic Plan and as ST grew, Lorienne shifted into her current role. Ms. Beals holds a BA in Languages, Literatures and Culture from Wells College, and three professional designations recognized in the finance industry. She brings to the role of administrator insight as an accomplished performer and educator in the US, England, Italy, Tunisia and France, having trained at Purchase Conservatory of Dance and the New York Institute of Dance and Education (NYIDE) and having served for many years as VP of Operations for NYIDE and Associate Director of Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre. Lorienne completed Leadership Greater Washington’s Anti-Racist Leadership Series in 2023.

Kellie Butsack, Operations Director

Kellie Butsack has been working in the nonprofit sector for 30 years. Since joining Story Tapestries in 2022, she provides the team with administrative, community outreach and program support, along with handling day-to-day scheduling, accounting and project management needs. Prior to joining Story Tapestries, she served an 18-year tenure with the Alzheimer’s Association as Associate Director of Programs, providing oversight and support for program delivery, volunteer cultivation, and training throughout the tri-state region of southeastern PA, southern NJ, and the state of DE, as well as managing data analysis and reporting, strategic partnerships and grant deliverables. Kellie also served 8 years in development and programming roles with the March of Dimes Foundation, after managing corporate communications and community relations in the for-profit sector. She began her career as an ad copywriter and freelance editorial/feature writer. Kellie holds a B.A. in Speech Communications/Journalism with minors in Public Relations and Marketing.

Valerie Baugh-Schlossberg, School Director

Valerie joins Story Tapestries from Chicago where she was an active theatre and social justice educator. She brings over 25 years of experience working with diverse populations of youth as a teaching artist-in-residence, performer, stage director, and educator. She has created and implemented various theatre courses for companies and organizations around the US; including Boise State University, Idaho Shakespeare Festival’s Drama School, Pima for Kids (Tucson), and Camp Whispering Pines (AZ). She has directed people of all ages from preschool to adult. She has a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Florida and has completed various post-baccalaureate courses in theatre pedagogy, education, and theatre for youth. She is a member of the Alpha Cohort of Anti-Racist Educators of the Arts Learning Lab (A-REALL).

Jamie Cowan, Early Childhood Director

Jamie Cowan brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as the Early Childhood Development Director at Story Tapestries. With over 20 years of experience in education, her innovative approach to education emphasizes personalized, multidimensional learning experiences that instill a love for learning and foster holistic growth and development. Jamie encourages a culture of resilience and perseverance among children, empowering them to embrace challenges and cultivate self-confidence. She champions the transformative power of literature and advocates for equitable access to quality learning experiences. Jamie has a Master of Science in Education, with a focus on Teacher Leadership from Walden University. She continues to fuel a culture of curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning at Story Tapestries, inspiring young learners to reach their full potential. Once inspired by the work of Ken Robinson on creativity in education, Jamie now focuses on creating and supporting environments for curiosity and creativity as a means to encourage others to grow through their own learning journey.

TBD, Community Director

Jessica Wallach, Content Manager

Jessica Wallach is an artist, educator, and accessibility specialist whose work invites people to notice how bodies, stories, and images shape learning, belonging, and community. She has worked as a professional photographer for more than 25 years and has been teaching through the arts since 2008, bringing a deep attention to embodiment, access, and lived experience into learning spaces.

Since joining Story Tapestries in 2022, Jessica has collaborated with artists, educators, and community partners to design arts-based programs that center movement, choice, and meaning-making. Her work has taken place in classrooms, community settings, and cultural institutions such as the Kennedy Center and Woolly Mammoth Theatre, where questions of visibility, care, and access are always present.

As the creator of The Body Is Good project, Jessica uses photography, stencils, movement, and story to explore how people learn through their bodies and how creative practice can support accessibility, agency, and connection across ages and communities.

Vivienne Azarcon, Development Manager

Vivienne was born in Iowa and grew up in the Philippines. She speaks about 3.55 languages and has well over a decade of experience with nonprofit, corporate, and volunteer organizations, including stints in microfinance (ACCION International) and Deloitte Consulting. Most recently, she handled project management and proposals for an international aviation consulting firm. She has an MBA from Duke but never attended a single Coach K game. Her interests include estate sales, languages, creative writing, and aikido.  She believes in tolerance, translation, and the Oxford comma.

Regie Cabico, Literary Arts Liaison

Regie Cabico is the lead poetry spoken word educator at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and a pioneer of the Poetry Slam having won the Nuyorican Poets Cafe Grand Slam and three national Poetry Slams. He’s appeared on MTV, HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, NPR, and TEDx Talk. Since 2020, Mr. Cabico worked extensively with the Department of Aging to conduct workshops in Washington, DC. His work at Iona Senior Wellness Center, Bernice Elizabeth Fonteneau Senior Wellness Center, and Genevieve N. Johnson Senior Center and Story Tapestries utilizes a multidisciplinary component with creative movement artists, poets, musicians, and visual artists. Mr. Cabico is also the lead Poetry Out Loud Teaching Artist for Washington, DC, Virginia, and Mississippi. He is the author of A Rabbit in Search of a Rolex (Day Eight, 2023)

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Board Members

Emmyrich “Richie” Vicente – Chair

Emmyrich “Richie” Meneses Vicente. Born in Bulacan, Philippines. Studied Bachelor of Transportation Management, College of Business at Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Manila; Maryland Banking School in UMBC and Banking School at the American Institute of Banking. Mr. Vicente has over 25 years in the banking and business development industry. Currently with PNC Bank, Greater Washington Area market sales and leadership -Vice President, Minority Business Development Officer, GWA Supplier Diversity In-Market Chair. Richie is the former President of the Rotary Club of Gaithersburg, MD, and a past board member of several organizations such as Filipino American Cancer Care; International Real Estate Association for Professionals; Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce; Central Maryland Chamber of Commerce’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Awareness (IDEA) Committee; DC REACH Small Business Workstream Committee and as an active member of other chambers of commerce in DMV area.

Richie has served as a board member of the Olney Chamber of Commerce (2004-2011). He’s been making a difference across Montgomery County as a volunteer instructor of financial literacy classes since 2002. Highly recognized for his community service by President Barrack Obama, and Senator Rona Kramer, and recent recipient of a Congressional Citation from Congressman David Trone and the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce. The highlight of his career has been his service in the community both as a consumer and businessman. He’s been so involved that one of the recognitions he received was the Olney Chamber of Commerce “Business Person of the Year” award in 2008.

In contribution to the Arts, Richie is a Fashion Model and continues to represent international, US, and local DMV area designers on the runway. He also sings tenor at St. Francis of Assisi Church Choir.

Kristen Callisto – Vice Chair

Residence: Silver Spring, Work: Rockville

Education: Doctorate in Education Leadership; K-12 education policy from district level to federal level, particularly special education; Accessibility and inclusion advocate; Systems thinking, strategic leadership, and transformational change management with professional experience from Massachusetts to Hawai’i.

Work Experience: Kristen Wong Callisto is the Executive Director of the MCPS Educational Foundation (MCPSEF). She moved to Maryland in 2022 to work for Montgomery County Public Schools, before finding MCPSEF. Kristen is a career educator, starting as a middle school special education in Hawai’i. She has taught preschool through graduate level, working in classrooms to the state level policy in multiple states across the country. Kristen has also worked at a national nonprofit, the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Kristen is deeply committed to equity and inclusion, particularly for individuals with disabilities as well as children and young adults in general. She also is passionate about history, the arts, and animals and making the corner of the world she occupies a little bit better through service and kindness. Kristen is a graduate of Dartmouth College (Bachelor of Arts; 2006); University of Hawaii-Manoa (Master’s in Special Education and Certificate in Diversity and Disabilities Studies; 2008); Harvard Graduate School of Education (Doctorate in Education Leadership; 2016); and Washington State University (Superintendent’s Program; 2020). She’s currently enrolled in Georgetown’s Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program.

Affiliations: Leadership Montgomery CORE (2024), League of Educators for the Asian American Progress, Women Leading Ed, National Association of Education Foundations, PEAK Grantmaking, Dartmouth and Harvard alumni groups, Special Olympics, IORG majority member and Grand Cross of Color

Areas of expertise: Accessibility and disability inclusion, K-12 education, adaptive leadership, conflict resolution, strategic development, change management

David West – Treasurer

Residence: Washington, DC, Work: Rockville, MD

David West joined Capital Bank in May of 2020 as Vice President of Business Development. He has over 20 years’ experience working in the banking and financial industry. He works with small business, property management, title companies and non-profits within the Washington Metro Area to better understand their cash-flow strategy and mitigate operational risks for their business. David is a former small business owner, graduate of the University of Maryland and a Native Washingtonian and has served on the boards of various small businesses and non-profits.

Adam Basciano – Secretary

Residence/Work: Washington, DC

Adam Basciano is a Director at Laurel Strategies, a CEO and global business advisory firm. In this role, he advises C-suite leaders on strategy across industries and also helps lead business development and community impact for the firm. Previously, he co-founded and served as Director of IPF Atid, an international network of millennial peacebuilders and thought leaders through the Israel Policy Forum. He currently also consults for nonprofits and social sector start-ups, including through the Compass DC pro bono strategic consultancy. Adam received his Master’s in Global Business Administration from the Fletcher School at Tufts University and his B.A. in International Relations from Colgate University.

Work Experience: Cross-sector partnerships; process improvement initiatives; executor and innovator with experience across public, private, and social sectors

Heiromy “Romy” Nunez – Board Member at Large

Residence: Washington, DC Work: Falls Church, VA

Romy Nuñez is an accomplished insurance specialist and business advisor with a proven track record of helping organizations mitigate risks and optimize operations. Currently, as a Property & Casualty Insurance Specialist at USI Insurance Services, Romy advises clients on comprehensive risk management solutions, including workers’ compensation, liability coverage, and environmental risks. Leveraging the USI ONE™ platform, he helps businesses across industries such as construction, non-profit, healthcare, and transportation manage their total cost of risk and achieve economic impact.

In addition to his corporate career, Romy is the owner of DJ Romy Entertainment LLC, where he brings his passion for music to corporate and wedding events as a professional DJ. His entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to client satisfaction are evident across his diverse professional endeavors. Romy is deeply committed to community service, currently serving as a Board Member and Vice Chair of Membership for the Gaithersburg Germantown Chamber of Commerce. His leadership in this role fosters collaboration and growth within the local business community.

Emily Arnold – Board Member at Large

Residence: Arlington, VA Work: McLean, VA

Emily currently works as a Sr. Analyst on Capital One’s Premium Products & Experiences team, creating marketing and product strategies for premium digital tools. Outside of work, she serves as a Wish Granter with the Mid-Atlantic chapter of Make-A-Wish, works with Habitat For Humanity, and volunteers with Compass Pro Bono Consulting in the DC area. She received her bachelors degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in 2020.

Lawrence Kotchek – Board Member at Large

Residence: Rockville, MD, Work: Bethesda, MD

Lawrence Kotchek has been in the printing industry in business development roles since 1986 and has been with Print 1 in Bethesda, Maryland since 2001. He has expertise in offset & digital printing, mailing, and large-format sign work. He has focused on the not-for-profit community as a way can make a more personal impact. Lawrence is a 2013 Leadership Montgomery CORE (Connecting Our Region’s Execs) alumnus. His service history includes serving on the boards of Cornerstone Montgomery (2009-12), Bethesda Chevy Chase Chapter of the Izaak Walton League (2003-5) and the BCC IWLA Legacy Trust Board (2007-10) serving as President (2009-10), Corporate Volunteer Council of Montgomery County (2014-18), Leadership Montgomery (2019-21), Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce (2005-7, 2010-13, 2021-current), Rotary International Bethesda Chevy Chase Club (2007-9, 2012-15, 2020-current).

Lawrence’s current community leadership service includes his service on the Board of Directors of the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce and co-chairing the Economic Development Committee there. He’s also Vice President and President-Elect for the Bethesda Chevy Chase Rotary Club, an active member of Rockville and Silver Spring Chambers of Commerce, Leadership Montgomery, and The Catholic Business Network of Montgomery County.

Areas of expertise: Making substantive community connections, marketing, communications

Solvin “Sol” Gordon – Board Member at Large

Residence/Work: Palm Beach Gardens, FL / Montgomery Village, MD

Solvin Gordon is a 5th generation Washingtonian that has served his city well over the past 60 years for many nonprofits in the City, nationally and internationally. Sol has also held positions as President of various nonprofits such as Metro Police Boys/Girls Club in DC – bringing his passion for helping others to those most in need. Starting with the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind up to currently with the Salute to the Military Golf Association. They also include the Technion- Israel’s Institute of Technology, National Jewish Health, Montgomery Village Rotary /Kiwanis Chapters, Hebrew Home Finance, Unv of Denver Alumni Admission Interviewer, Broader Baby Project, Washington Hebrew- Usher corp, couples Club, flower delivery, brotherhood,  etc.

When Sol is not helping Nonprofits, he is working his two careers- owning an Insurance agency and owning/managing Commercial Real Estate properties. After graduating from the University of Denver’s Burns School of Real Estate, Sol became a certified property manager and currently maintains an impressive investment portfolio, comprising hotels, apartments, shopping centers, industrial flex spaces, mobile home parks and land. With a thorough understanding of insurance situations and requirements, Sol provides insightful advice to landowners, traders and wholesalers in the business. In addition to his professional acumen, at Gordon Insurances’, Sol’s top priority is educating and communicating with existing and prospective clients; ensuring that their needs are met with the utmost care and consideration. 

Of course his wife, Wendy of 45 years makes sure he follows the right path alongside his two children (Lindsay, Zachary) and 3 grandchildren (Shane, Alexandria and Taylor).

Felicity Tchoufa – Board Member at Large

Residence: Bethesda, MD, Work: Bethesda, MD

A global entrepreneur, keynote speaker, designer, certified BANK IOS coach, master community builder, and business connector; past co-chair of the Women’s Networking Group at the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce; founder of The Sheroe Mindshift, a platform for women entrepreneurs to share knowledge and expand their networks.

Steve Barber – Board Member at Large

Residence: Gaithersburg, MD, Work: Gaithersburg, MD

30+ years of experience and accomplishments in finance; improving financial capabilities and efficiencies, ensuring financial integrity and transparency, and providing financial insights for quality decision making; Certified Quickbooks ProAdvisor and Bill.com Expert

Current work: LevelUp Solution Services

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Story Tapestries recruits experts to support the Board of Directors. These people are NOT voting members of the Board but make a commitment to provide assistance as described below.

Advisory Board

(non-voting supporters; commit to a 1-year agreement to attend at least 2 meetings/yr and Strategic Planning as well as give specific assistance as needed):

Lily Qi

Residence/Work: Montgomery County, MD

Lily was born and raised in China and emigrated to the United States. She completed two Master’s degrees and built a career in student affairs in higher education. After earning her MBA, she went on to become Vice President of Business Development for the Washington, DC Economic Partnership to grow economic opportunities for the capital city during its early years of revitalization. Lily later served as a spokesperson for the DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking, before being tapped by County Executive Ike Leggett to serve in his administration. She spent a decade serving in Montgomery County government, focused on improving government cultural competency and the county’s economic standing. Lily is proud to have been recognized as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women, Person of the Year by the Greater Washington Chinese Post in 2018 and three times awardee by the National Association of Counties for my service to Montgomery County. In addition to her important work in politics, now as a representative in the Maryland State House, she also is deeply involved local community work having served on numerous nonprofit boards and commissions including Leadership Montgomery, Suburban Hospital, Imagination Stage, and Manchester University in Indiana (her alma mater), and chairing Governor’s Commission on Asian American Affairs.

TJ Wilkinson – Past Chair

Residential: Bethesda, MD; Work: Potomac, MD

Legal compliance and transaction management; 501(c)(3) compliance; Technology tool evaluation and adoption

Current work: Partner at Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P.A., a full-service law firm

Katrina Zimmerman – Arts in Education (Past President)

Residence: Delmar, MD, Work: Salisbury, MD

Arts in Education specialist; Active Visual Artist; Core Curriculum expert

Current Work: Art Teacher at Chipman and Pemberton Elementary schools in Wicomico County, MD

Areas of expertise: Arts integration specialist; Common Core expert; Liaison to schools

Ana Gonzalez – Past Board Member at Large

Residence: Bowie, MD, Work: Rockville, MD

Banking and Professional Services; Financial Management; Business Management; Advocate for Latino Business Community

Current work: Senior Relationship Manager at M&T Bank

Areas of expertise: banking and professional services; financial management

Faith Klareich – Past Chair

Residence: Brunswick, MD, Work: Frederick County Montgomery County, MD, DC

Weinberg Theatre Volunteer Coordinator, Consultant and Evaluation Expert

Current Work: Founder/CEO of Sheeler Klareich Associates, LLC – a management services and solutions company.

Areas of expertise: evaluation expertise; consult on financial oversight

Tony Spearman-Leach – Past Chair

Residence: Gaithersburg, MD, Work: Bethesda, MD

Development, Philanthropy, Transformative Leadership, Marketing, Communications

Current Work: Director of Development and Philanthropy, The National Academy of Public Administration

Amanda Richardson – Past Chair

Residence: Falls Church, VA, Work: Fort Belvoir, VA

Change Agent and Strategic Change Management; Technical Project Management; Strategy Development & Execution; Operations Management; Communication Strategies; Resource Allocation and Alignment

Current work: Research and Development Directorate, Defense Threat Reduction Agency and Chief of Research and Development Operations, GS-15

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