Our team

As President & CEO, Sharon provides visionary leadership in fulfilling the Levitt Family Foundation’s mission to strengthen the social fabric of America and reinvigorate public spaces through the power of free, live music. Through her role at the Foundation—a national social impact funder working at the intersection of music, public space, and community building—she has become a recognized thought leader on arts investments in public spaces to build healthy, equitable, and thriving communities. Under Sharon’s leadership, the Levitt Family Foundation made a pledge in 2021 to spend down the Foundation’s assets of $150 million over two decades.

Following 15 years in community arts programming and the performing arts, Sharon joined the Foundation in 2009, as its first employee, to professionalize the organization and scale Levitt programs nationally. Sharon’s passionate commitment to the arts as a vehicle for positive change in communities has guided the growth of Levitt programs across the country to include over 70 towns and cities today, including the development of long-term public/private partnerships in major U.S. cities, expanding grant programs into rural areas, sustainability strategies for Levitt grantees, and fostering the Levitt network’s ethos of shared learning and advancing collective impact, in addition to the Foundation’s creative placemaking research and investments in music ecosystems.

With her background working with grassroots nonprofits, Sharon transitioned the Foundation to a trust-based philanthropy model early on in her tenure. She has earned a reputation as a thoughtful and respected collaborator within the fields of philanthropy, creative placemaking, and community development. Responsive to the realities of nonprofits, she has guided Foundation staff to develop robust resources, toolkits, trainings, and peer connections for grantees, providing meaningful support beyond funding for their work in communities. Sharon centers the Foundation’s values in all aspects of Levitt’s work, from internal operations to funding philosophy and grantmaking to ensuring grantees are positioned to impactfully bring a music series to life.

Sharon collaborates closely with the Levitt Family Foundation team in the organization’s contributions to the field, including multi-year research and field-building initiatives. As the chief spokesperson for the Foundation, Sharon travels across the country to speak about the impact of Levitt programs, Levitt-commissioned research, and creative placemaking at large. Reflecting the reach of Levitt and how integrating the arts across sectors elevates the overall well-being and economic vitality of communities, Sharon shares the Levitt model with a wide range of audiences—including those in the arts, government, music industry, philanthropy, community development, urban planning, and parks—to illustrate why inclusive arts investment strategies should be prioritized. She is often an invited speaker and moderator at regional, national, and international conferences. Sharon also guest lectures at undergraduate and graduate music business and nonprofit management programs, providing inspiration to the next generation of leaders.

Beyond Levitt, Sharon currently serves on the board of Center for Music Ecosystems, an international organization dedicated to globally relevant research to address societal issues and effect change through music. Sharon has been a grant panelist for the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and the Nebraska Arts Council, where she is from. As a board member of California Presenters, Sharon played an active role leading one of the country’s largest presenting associations—she served as Vice President, mentored emerging leaders, and chaired three annual conferences. Recognizing Sharon’s contributions to the field, she was selected by Musical America Worldwide as a Top 30 professional of 2023.

Prior to her position with the Levitt Family Foundation, Sharon was the founding Executive Director of Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles at MacArthur Park. Her work there and the venue’s impact in the community earned her the recognition of “Los Angeles Park Hero” by the City of Los Angeles. Sharon’s career began in metropolitan Chicago, where she produced free outdoor concert series and worked with a range of artists and arts nonprofits, followed by time in the finance sector. Sharon earned a Bachelor of Music from Northwestern University with a concentration in arts and business management.

As Executive Vice President of the Levitt Family Foundation, a national social impact funder at the intersection of music, public space and community building, Vanessa plays a key role in the Foundation’s strategic direction and long-term vision as it pertains to funding allocation, program development, communications, and research. She also spearheads new and existing partnerships and field-building initiatives to expand access and nurture vibrant music ecosystems.

Vanessa joined the Foundation in 2012 as the Senior Director of Communications & Strategic Initiatives, where she led the creative vision and communications strategy to share the inspiring impact of the Foundation, its nonprofit partners and grantees, and the field of creative placemaking at large. Vanessa built her career in the arts & culture sector as an award-winning writer, editor, and content strategist. Previous positions include: Editorial Director at Art Center College of Design; Arts Specialist for the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs; and various positions with The Museum of Modern Art, Columbia University’s Research Center for Arts & Culture, and The Philadelphia Museum of Art. Vanessa has been an invited speaker at a variety of national conferences including Folk Alliance International, National Forum on Family Philanthropy, Main Street Now, City Nation Place Americas, ComNet, Grantmakers in the Arts, International Placemaking Week, and the National Creative Placemaking Leadership Summit. Vanessa earned her bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College and received a master’s degree in arts administration from Columbia University.

As Vice President of Operations, Mark manages the Foundation’s office operations, human resources, financial reporting, and IT infrastructure. He plays a key role in ensuring all systems and procedures add to the efficiency of the Foundation so that our mission can be realized in the most cost-efficient and effective way.

Mark has dedicated his career to helping others through service in the nonprofit sector—from civic engagement, HIV/AIDS, and social work to healthcare, the military, and performing arts. For more than 10 years, Mark has been a strategic thought partner with boards and staff while creating and managing budgets, developing and implementing policies and procedures, and recruiting and nurturing staff, all while fostering a culture of accountability, inclusivity and collaboration. Mark prides himself on being a hands-on leader, supporting his teammates wherever needed.

Mark studied at the University of Southern California earning both a bachelor’s degree and a Master’s in Public Administration.

As Vice President of Programs, Victoria plays a key role in shaping the grantmaking strategy at the Levitt Family Foundation. She oversees the management of the Foundation’s Friends of Levitt partners and grantee portfolios, develops strategies and priorities to support the sustainability of Levitt’s grantee partners, and identifies resources that provide meaningful support to the growing national Levitt network of venues and music series locations.

Victoria has over 16 years of experience in grantmaking and community engagement. Prior to working at the Levitt Family Foundation, she worked at the Orthopaedic Institute for Children where she developed operational standards, increased brand awareness through community relationships, and secured major donations. While at the Lymphoma Research Foundation she implemented an overall communications strategy and local grassroots marketing efforts to increase awareness of available resources, services, and fundraising events. In addition to her community engagement experience, Victoria has worked in grantmaking with verve. At the W. M. Keck Foundation, she supported grantmaking activities for high-impact research, undergraduate education, and programs that enrich lives of local children and families. She received her B.A. in Sociology from Occidental College and M.S. in Social Entrepreneurship from the University of Southern California.

As Associate Vice President of Communications, Chris develops and implements comprehensive communications strategies to share the impact of Levitt Family Foundation programs and the national Levitt network of partners and grantees—primarily via media and public relations, social media, print, web, and film. Through these vehicles, Chris and the communications department advance the mission, vision, and core values of the Foundation, as well as support internal and external programs, partners, and the national Levitt network of venues and music series locations.

Chris brings over a decade of experience in communications, marketing, and public relations spanning the cultural, nonprofit, and entertainment sectors. Most recently, he was the Director of Marketing and Communications for The Climate Registry, and previously for The Autry Museum of the American West. Originally from Massachusetts, Chris also holds a Ph.D. in Film and Media Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

As Art Director, Nicole plays a lead role in directing the creative development and production operations of all Foundation visual communications, from concept to completion. Working collaboratively with the Executive Vice President and communications department, Nicole connects brand strategy with design, generating creative new ways to share the Levitt story through a visual lens.

Before joining the Levitt Family Foundation, Nicole contributed to various nonprofit arts organizations including the Guggenheim Foundation, Whitney Museum of American Art, and MoMA PS1. Nicole earned her B.F.A. from the University of Denver and M.A. in Arts Administration from Columbia University. Passionate about building community through the arts, Nicole is thrilled to be part of the Levitt team.

As Communications Manager, Sadie develops and executes marketing and communications campaigns that enhance the visibility and impact of the Foundation’s mission to build community through the power of free, live music. In collaboration with the communications department, Sadie works to create dynamic and engaging content capable of reaching audiences across diverse media and communications channels.

Prior to joining the Levitt Family Foundation, Sadie served as Communications Manager at One Institute—the oldest active LGBTQ+ organization in the country—where she led high-level fundraising and promotional campaigns that helped to redefine the organization’s brand and champion the launch of its most ambitious programming initiatives in decades. She also worked as Program Coordinator at the Los Angeles Review of Books, after graduating with her B.A. in Sociology from Smith College. Sadie is excited to work at the Levitt Family Foundation as it accelerates its grantmaking and invests in the future of the arts in towns and cities across the country.

As Communications Associate, Carly supports internal and external communication projects and processes to help shape the Foundation’s branding, marketing, and communications strategy. She collaborates with the communications team in creating engaging multifaceted media content for the Foundation.

Before stepping into her current role, Carly was the Foundation’s 2023–2024 Communications Fellow. She previously worked as a member of the advancement team at the Northern Virginia Science Center Foundation in Fairfax, Virginia where she coordinated philanthropic communications and donor stewardship. She has also held internships with nonprofit organizations including the National Association for Media Literacy Education, The Trumansburg Education Foundation, and Project Look Sharp. Carly earned a B.A. in Journalism from Ithaca College. Carly is proud to help activate, connect, and transform communities through the power of free, live music.

As Operations & Special Events Manager, Arianne manages various aspects of Foundation events including Levitt network events, group site visits, national convenings and conferences. She provides comprehensive administrative support to the Foundation, including providing daily support to the President & CEO and Vice President of Operations. She also plays an important role in maintaining and managing the Foundation’s financial, HR, and IT records.

Arianne has a background in performing arts and is passionate about live entertainment and serving the community. She graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a B.A. in Theatre Arts, and earned a M.A in Theatre Arts, with a focus on audience and community engagement, from California State University, Northridge. Her community engagement experience includes developing and moderating multiple pre-show and post-show theatre panels on the California State University, Northridge campus and working as an Audience Engagement Fellow in the Education, Engagement, and Community Partnerships Department at Center Theatre Group in downtown Los Angeles.

As Executive Assistant, Brittany provides comprehensive support to the Foundation’s President & CEO, including scheduling, travel arrangements, preparing meeting materials, event support, and general administrative responsibilities and projects.

Prior to joining the Levitt Family Foundation, Brittany worked as an Executive Assistant at a business management firm for musicians. Music has always had a special role in Brittany’s life. After receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Dance from Muhlenberg College, Brittany moved from South Jersey to Los Angeles for dance. Her proudest gig was dancing alongside Kool & The Gang at the Hollywood Bowl for CNN’s 4th of July Celebration. Brittany is honored and excited to be a part of the Levitt team, where she can combine her love for the arts with her passion for empowering communities.

As Senior Programs Manager, Kimberly provides support to the Foundation’s growing portfolio of grantees, with a focus on the Friends of Levitt venue partners and the festival grants program. She plays a key role in identifying and implementing resources that support the national Levitt network in advancing local programmatic goals and outcomes. Kimberly also leverages the Foundation’s partnerships to expand capacity-building tools and support resources for grantees and contribute to the broader field. She is responsible for overseeing audience and grantee data collection; managing network-wide engagement, collaboration, and feedback; and supporting the development and implementation of new grant opportunities.

Kimberly brings twenty years of program management and community engagement experience. Prior to joining the Levitt Family Foundation, Kimberly worked with a variety of nonprofits and educational institutions to develop programs, build partnerships, promote community development, and encourage cross-cultural understanding. Kimberly received her B.A. in Intercultural Education from Long Island University, Global College, and earned her M.A. in Peace and Justice Leadership, with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging from SIT Graduate Institute. Kimberly is thrilled to combine her passion for inclusive community engagement and her strengths in program management to deepen the Foundation’s impact in communities across the nation.

As Programs Manager, Dagmar provides management support to the Foundation’s programs team and growing national portfolio of grantees. She works closely with the programs team to optimize the Foundation’s grantmaking efforts and advance programmatic goals and outcomes.

Prior to joining the Levitt Family Foundation, Dagmar spent eight years managing farmers markets in NYC and LA where she oversaw community outreach and operations. She also worked at an NYC-based emergency food nonprofit managing and writing grant proposals and bringing educational programs to underserved communities. Dagmar is excited to use her previous experience and continue her work in creating more open spaces for everyone to enjoy!

As Database Administrator, Ryan ensures that Friends of Levitt partners and Levitt Music Series grantees are provided with accurate information while visiting the Foundation’s grantee portal. He is also responsible for analyzing and organizing data to assist in measuring the Foundation’s long-term success and impact.
 
Prior to joining the Levitt Family Foundation, Ryan spent thirteen years in the nonprofit and educational space, with over ten of those at an organization that provides academic assistance and resources to temporarily unhoused students in Southern California. In this current chapter, Ryan feels fortunate to be part of a team that works with communities nationwide to bring people together through the arts.

As Programs Associate, Matt provides comprehensive support to the Foundation’s programs team and national network of grantees. In collaboration with the Programs Manager, he helps further the organization’s grant cycles, aids in grantee communications, and provides event support and logistics for Levitt network events, convenings, conferences, and group site visits. 

Prior to joining the Levitt Family Foundation, Matt served for over a decade as the operations lead for a major Los Angeles architectural firm. In addition to providing his expertise in streamlining business processes, he led the creation and implementation of the firm’s Employee Experience program centered on generating entertaining and engaging corporate experiences to bring people together. Matt is a former television writer, touring entertainer, and a firm believer in the power of live performance. He received a B.F.A. in Communications from Nebraska Wesleyan University and is thrilled to assist in bringing live entertainment to communities across the country.

As Program Officer, Amber provides meaningful support and resources to advance the work of Levitt Music Series grantees as part of the Levitt Family Foundation’s grantmaking activities.

Amber has over ten years of program management and community engagement experience. Prior to the Foundation, she worked at a Los Angeles-based education and enrichment nonprofit where she developed their outreach and overall programmatic leadership. In addition to her programmatic experience, she also balanced her work while studying for her doctorate in African and African-American religion and culture. Amber is honored and excited to utilize her experiences to support the Levitt Music Series grants program at the Foundation. Amber earned her Ph.D. in History from UCLA and is also a proud Howard University alumna.