Our team

Levitt’s national team is a group of passionate individuals

We’re committed to ensuring Levitt partners and grantees receive guidance, support and resources to successfully launch and carry out either the permanent Levitt venue program or the Levitt AMP Music Series in their communities.

Leadership

Sharon Yazowski

President & CEO

As President & CEO, Sharon provides visionary leadership in fulfilling the Levitt 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 Levitt Foundation—a national social impact funder working at the intersection of music, public…

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Vanessa Silberman

Executive Vice President

As Executive Vice President of the Levitt 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…

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Mark Arteaga

Vice President of Operations

As Vice President of Operations, Mark manages Levitt’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…

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Victoria Bridenstine

Vice President of Programs

As Vice President of Programs, Victoria plays a key role in shaping the grantmaking strategy at the Levitt 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…

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Chris Dzialo

Associate Vice President of Communications

As Associate Vice President of Communications, Chris develops and implements comprehensive communications strategies to share the impact of Levitt 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…

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Communications

A headshot of Kimberly Green, a white woman with long brown and grey hair. She is wearing a navy blue top and bright blue earrings and is standing outside in a park.

Kimberly Green

Communications Manager

As Communications Manager, Kimberly plays an integral role in promoting the mission of the Levitt Foundation to strengthen communities through free live music. Her work includes managing and overseeing social media, e-newsletters, and website content, as well as providing support across the communications department. Before joining the Levitt Foundation, Kimberly…

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Nicole McGaffey

Art Director

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

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Carly Swanson

Communications Fellow

As the Communications Fellow, Carly supports internal and external communication projects and processes to help shape the branding, marketing, and communications strategy for the Levitt Foundation. She collaborates with the Communications Team in creating engaging multifaceted media content for Levitt. Prior to joining the Levitt Foundation, Carly was a member…

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Sydney Sweeney

Content Writer

As the Content Writer, Sydney creates editorial content and copy for the blog and other platforms, working as part of the Foundation’s Communications team to highlight how Levitt venues and AMP sites bring the joy of free, live music to America’s diverse communities. She holds a BA in Journalism and…

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Operations

A headshot of Josh Messite, a young man with brown hair wearing a long-sleeved grey polo shirt and standing outside in a park.

Josh Messite

Operations Associate

As the Operations Associate, Josh provides administrative support to the Levitt Foundation, assisting with office management, arranging staff travel, reviewing financial reports, and helping coordinate functions and events. Before joining the Levitt team, Josh received a B.A. in Public Policy and Philosophy from the College of William & Mary. He…

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Arianne Ousley

Operations & Special Events Manager

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 Executive Director and Director of Operations. She also plays an important role…

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Brittany Van Natta

Executive Assistant

As Executive Assistant, Brittany provides comprehensive support to the Foundation’s Chief Executive Offer, including scheduling, travel arrangements, preparing meeting materials, event support, and general administrative responsibilities and projects. Prior to joining the Levitt team, Brittany worked as an Executive Assistant at a business management firm for musicians. Music has always…

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Programs

Kimberly James

Senior Programs Manager

As the Senior Programs Manager, Kimberly provides grants management support for the Foundation’s national portfolio of grantees, with a focus on the Friends of Levitt venue partners. She also plays a key role in identifying resources to support the Levitt network, manages network-wide collaborations and programming, supervises audience and grantee…

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Dagmar Koss

Programs Associate

As the Program Associate, Dagmar provides administrative support to the Programs Department, including support to the Foundation’s grantmaking cycles and processes. She also helps coordinate various national gatherings and collaborative, network-wide program initiatives. 
Prior to joining the Levitt Foundation, Dagmar spent eight years managing farmers markets in NYC and LA…

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Ryan Locante

Database Administrator

As the Database Administrator, Ryan ensures that Friends of Levitt partners and Levitt AMP 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…

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Amber Withers, Ph.D.

Program Officer

As the Program Officer, Amber provides meaningful support and resources to advance the work of Levitt AMP grantees as part of the Levitt Foundation’s grantmaking activities. Amber has over ten years of program management and community engagement experience. Prior to the Levitt Foundation, she worked at a Los Angeles-based education…

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Board of directors

Peter Levitt

Board Co-Chair

Kathy Eberly Ovitt

Board Co-Chair

Pasy Wang

Board Treasurer

Larry Chaifetz

Helen Johnson

John McNamara