Nancy Ariza – Board Member. Nancy Ariza is a printmaker, educator, and arts administrator. She brings over 10 years of experience developing and leading educational arts programming in museums and community-based learning spaces. She is currently the Career Development Manager at Springboard for the Arts where she helps artists make a life and a living by connecting them to resources, tools, and professional development workshops. Outside of Springboard, Nancy serves on the Leadership Council of Serpentina Arts, a nonprofit providing professional and creative development for Latinx artists in Minnesota. She is also a member of the Culturally Responsive Art Education Advisory Committee at the Minnesota Department of Education. Nancy holds an MA in Education from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, and a BA in Art History and BFA in Printmaking from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Christopher Harrison – Board Member. Christopher E. Harrison is a fine artist, public artist and graphic designer who is based out of the Twin Cities. He has exhibited his work at art venues locally, nationally and internationally. Originally from Springfield, Ohio, he has BFA from the Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio, and is working on his graduate degree in fine art from the Art Academy University in San Francisco, CA. Christopher is currently an Arts Educator at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. His studio is located in the North Minneapolis neighborhood where he creates paintings, drawings, sculpture and collage.

Susan Haugen – Board Chair. Susan has spent nearly 25 years in the finance industry. She began her career as a CPA at Grant Thornton and then worked in financial management at several national and international corporations. She is currently a Partner and Director of Recruiting at Scouts, a talent firm placing accountants on engaging projects around the Twin Cities. She earned her B.A. from Macalester College and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. She has always been a natural connector, recognizing peoples’ talents and engaging them toward a common goal. She brings a strategic focus to the CAFAC Board and is helping create a framework for sound fiscal practices as the organization grows.

Valerie Hoiness – Board Secretary. Valerie is an attorney in the Twin Cities with a concentration in complex commercial litigation. She volunteers as a citizen lobbyist on behalf of vulnerable Minnesota children in foster care and performs pro bono work for members of the artistic community in the Twin Cities. Her work with CAFAC brings her closer to the artists that make the Twin Cities a beautiful, livable urban destination.

Amanda Kaler – Board Member. Amanda (she/her) is the Development Director at Springboard for the Arts and brings over 16 years experience in development, fundraising, and arts and cultural leadership, including past development and executive roles at Minnesota Center for Book Arts and Open Book. A resident of the Bancroft neighborhood in South Minneapolis, she’s passionate about artist spaces that preserve and provide access to unique art forms. Amanda holds dual master's degrees in Nonprofit Management and Arts Administration from the University of Oregon, with an emphasis in Community Arts, and is a 2021 graduate of the Rockwood Leadership Institute. Her primary fire arts skill is performing fire-juggling "telegrams"—outdoors, socially distanced, and preferably in the dead of winter—to celebrate the birthdays of friends and loved ones during the pandemic.

Heidi Schuster – Board Member.  Heidi has spent 20 years in the media industry working in promotion, documentary and series television.  She’s worked in both the public and private sector and is currently Director of Business Development and Operations for Aldis Systems, Inc.  She has a B.A. in Communications from the University of Minnesota and has served on the boards of MN Women in Film & TV and Film North.  With a focus on business operations leadership, Heidi helps creative companies and visionary leaders integrate their ideas with actions.

Pete Segar – Board Member. Pete Segar is a metal artist specializing in commissioned sculpture including large scale public works, metal Bas reliefs, artistic furniture and custom personal sculpture.  After a 25-year career in product development and executive management, he pursued his metal art passion and started Metalcrafters LLC.  He works primarily at the Hack Factory and at his metal shop in Wisconsin, and has learned much from CAFAC classes.  He has experience with both public and non-profit board service, including Caringbridge.  His goal is to help CAFAC continue to more effectively serve the community through fire arts.

Missy Staudinger – Board Member. Missy (she/they) is a proud Wisconsin transplant who has called Minneapolis home since 2011 when they moved to the area to study law. As an attorney she has spent nearly a decade helping advise and counsel companies in the construction industry. In 2023, she found herself craving the opportunity to create and contribute in different ways outside of the office, and made their way to metalsmithing. In collaboration with Raw Tools, Missy has developed their fledgling smith skills converting surrendered guns into garden tools, jewelry, and other art. They love exploring and going on adventures with their partner and one-eyed dog, Werthers Original. She is excited to be joining CAFAC’s board and looks forward to serving and growing CAFAC’s community of artists and neighbors.

Ryan Sweeney – Board Member. Ryan (he/him) is a nonprofit professional with over 10 years of experience in the Twin Cities serving in a variety of operations and development roles. He is currently the Director of Operations at the Minnesota Zoo Foundation, where he is passionate about the integration of data driven initiatives and technologies to improve fundraising and business efficiency. As a resident of Bryant neighborhood Ryan has experienced the thriving artistic community CAFAC has incubated. Ryan looks forward to the opportunity as a Board member to support and grow the incredible work that CAFAC already does enabling talented fire artists to teach other and inspire the entire community.