2026 Board of Directors

Chairperson
Vice President of Development, The Gettysburg Foundation

Why Arts Mid-Hudson?
I value Arts Mid-Hudson because it exemplifies everything I believe about the role of culture in community transformation. With its unwavering commitment to equity, access, and regional vitality, Arts Mid-Hudson is more than a service organization—it is an engine for belonging and a catalyst for economic and social renewal. Their support of artists, investment in creative placemaking, and focus on historically marginalized communities mirror the very strategies I have led throughout my career. Like Arts Mid-Hudson, I believe that culture is not a luxury—it is infrastructure. And in every role I’ve held, I’ve worked to turn that belief into systems that last, communities that thrive, and legacies that matter.

Brett Bernardini is a nationally respected nonprofit and cultural leader whose work sits at the intersection of creativity, equity, and revitalization. With over 30 years of executive leadership, Brett brings a rare blend of strategic insight, bold vision, and community-rooted authenticity to every organization he serves.

Brett leads with the belief that governance is not just about oversight—it’s about stewardship, system change, and shaping legacy. He understands that great boards don’t just monitor—they ignite possibility.

Brett is the founding force behind an internationally acclaimed professional theater in Southeastern Connecticut, built from the ground up in a town once dismissed by many. His career has included revitalizing storied arts organizations, launching multi-million-dollar capital campaigns, and guiding organizations through transformational growth. Most recently, he served as Executive & Development Director of The Stissing Center for Arts and Culture, where he created and launched a $20 million capital campaign, doubled revenue, and redefined the role of the arts in rural America.

A lifelong educator and former arts administrator, Brett’s governance approach is deeply informed by his Harvard Business School Executive Leadership training and decades of on-the-ground leadership. He is driven by the conviction that community is an act of creation, that culture is infrastructure, and that leadership must listen before it leads.

In every organization he enters, Brett brings clarity, courage, and a commitment to helping organizations not just survive—but thrive with purpose, equity, and long-term relevance.

Vice Chair
Chief of Staff and Vice President for Strategy and Policy, Bard College

Why Arts Mid-Hudson?
“I believe in the power of the arts to provide a unique outlet for individuals and communities. Here in the Hudson Valley we are blessed with a rich history and wide array of fine and performing arts. I am eager to help safeguard this ongoing cultural legacy and provide access to artistic opportunities across our region. Arts Mid-Hudson is a linchpin in the regional arts architecture and I am proud to join it efforts.”

Malia K. Du Mont is Chief of Staff and Vice President for Strategy and Policy at Bard College. She earned her BA in Chinese from Bard and her MPP from Harvard Kennedy School. An Army Reserve officer and Afghanistan veteran, Malia chairs the NY-18 Veterans and Military Families Advisory Board for Congressman Pat Ryan, and serves on the boards of the American University of Afghanistan and the World Affairs Council Mid-Hudson Valley, and on the City of Kingston Conservation Advisory Council. Malia is a longtime choral singer and previously volunteered as the pianist at her church.

Treasurer
VP of Support Services, Hudson Valley Credit Union

Why Arts Mid-Hudson?

“I grew up with sewing, knitting, crocheting and music as household staples. It was instilled in me to appreciate the commitment, time and talent it requires to make a sweater, blanket, dress, etc. I wanted to be more involved in the community, and to me, the art world is like a deep ocean, beautiful and expansive. Joining Arts Mid-Hudson has provided me with a ship and benefits of working with a talented crew who work diligently to bring into focus awareness of art in the Hudson Valley and opportunities to meet and support artists and their work. It’s a great team, and I am thankful for the experience I am gaining as a volunteer board member.”

Corporate Secretary
Community Engagement Liaison, Oakwood Friends School

Why Arts Mid-Hudson?
“Without art life would be one dimensional… Without Arts Mid-Hudson art would not be totally ingrained in the community. I support the variety of local art and artists and want to aid in bringing as much to our communities - in whatever small way I am able.”

As a fiber artist I enjoy expressing my imagination through quilting. My works have been displayed in Pennsylvania at the Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Paul Robeson Gallery - Penn State University, William Penn Charter School, and Free Library of Philadelphia, Main Branch. Elsewhere I have had my works displayed - Rowan University (Glassboro NJ), Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center and the Dorchester Center for the Arts (Cambridge MD), Locally I have had work exhibited at the Mildred I Washington Art Gallery (DCCC), Barrett Art Center, Dutchess County Fair, Mid-Hudson Heritage Gallery, and The Nancy Willard and Eric Lindbloom Artist-Run Project Space,

Prior to relocating to Poughkeepsie I had a 30 year plus career in Friends education in the Philadelphia area and am enjoying my more recent return to Quaker education as an Admissions Associate at Oakwood Friends School.

As an active member in the community I serve as Secretary of the Walkway Over the Hudson Board of Directors, President of the Catharine Street Community Center Board, a member of the Dutchess County Board of Advisors of Community Foundation of the Hudson Valley, and an organizing member on the steering committee of ‘Oh Freedom…Project 2027’.

Free time often finds Anita, and her husband, Dan, as red jacket Walkway Ambassadors, or exploring nooks and crannies as geocachers in the Hudson Valley.

Chief Technology Officer,
Mid-Hudson Valley Federal
Credit Union

Why Arts Mid-Hudson?

“Arts Mid-Hudson provides the support, encouragement, and resources that our regional artists need to continue to create amazing work. As an enthusiastic collector of art that represents the area where I live, being able to give back to an organization like Arts Mid-Hudson is an honor and a privilege.”

Jonathan Cilley is the Vice President of Information Technology at Hudson Valley Credit Union. Jonathan has lived in the Mid-Hudson Valley region for over 10 years since moving to the area from New York’s Southern Tier. He holds a BA in history from Allegheny College and an MBA from Arizona State University Global Campus with a concentration in Information Systems. He currently resides in Dutchess County with his wife and two daughters.

Marketing Consultant

Why Arts Mid-Hudson?

“Art has always been a vital part of my life, from childhood crafts, theater techie in high school and college, to playing the violin and fiddlers. My passion continued with my degree in Graphic Design, and it extends into my personal hobbies of painting, dance, drawing, and illustration. I have a deep appreciation for all forms of art, and it’s a pleasure to serve on the board of Art Mid-Hudson as they continue to support artists to create, and showcase their work.”

I specialize in Brand Identity, Marketing, and Strategic Communication. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Grand Valley State University, my career has focused on elevating the efforts of both nonprofits, and corporations. Some of my notable achievements include being a multiple-time published writer for CUSO Magazine, completing Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training through the Crisis Prevention Institute, and receiving Suicide Prevention Skills Training from safeTALK LivingWorks.

System Administrator

Why Arts Mid-Hudson?
“I think that arts should be a part of everyone’s life. Everyone has something to contribute. It is a language we can all communicate to each other with. If we all communicated it would help to make the world a better place.”

Tempi Hopkins has been a member of the Mid Hudson valley community all her life. She is an Alumnus of Howard university where she majored in music Ed, & DCC where She majored in computer science. She was elected to a 3 year term in 1991 to serve on the Poughkeepsie board of Education and served as board president her last year. She has worked as a director of Information Technology for over 30 years and is currently owner of a computer consulting company called SoftApps. In the past she has served on the Board of directors - Community Daycare Center, Poughkeepsie PTSA - president, Harambee - board of Directors chairmen, Chairmen of the Neighborhood based Alliance Education committee. Member Of The Gospel Workshop Of America, Member Of The Martin Luther King Choir. At 15 years old she was elected as cochairmen of the model cities youth board. A member of the board for the Hudson Valley Gospel Fest.

Director of Arts, Culture and Open Spaces for Ulster County Tourism

Sarah Kramer-Harrison is a dedicated champion of the arts, serving as the Director of Arts, Culture and Open Spaces for the Ulster County Tourism and Film Department. In this role, she works tirelessly to integrate the creative sector into the regional economic engine, connecting professional cultural organizations with the preservation of the vibrant artistic identity of the Hudson Valley, elevating history/historic sites and leading the implementation of the IMAGINE Ulster plan. Her commitment to the local arts landscape extends to her service as a Board Member for Arts Mid-Hudson, where she helps foster growth and opportunity for artists and cultural institutions across the region.

Beyond her administrative leadership, Sarah is a seasoned singer-songwriter who performs under the name Kramer Harrison. Grounded in the rich, storied soil of the Hudson Valley music scene, she brings a soulful, magnetic energy to her work. Raised in the heart of the Woodstock music community, Sarah’s path was paved by a lifetime of immersion in the arts—from building her first instrument at seven, performing nationally and internationally by twelve, and apprenticing as a recording engineer by sixteen.

A graduate of Berklee College of Music with a dual degree in Voice and Music Production/Sound Engineering, and holding a Master of Education from Marist University, Sarah’s technical mastery is matched only by her deep honesty as a storyteller. Her career has been marked by significant milestones, including performances alongside icons such as Rick Danko, James Earl Jones, Levon Helm (Grammy Winner), John Sebastian, and Ruthie Foster (Grammy nominee), as well as a personal invitation from the legendary Levon Helm to perform at the historic Woodstock Playhouse.

Today, Sarah balances her professional role with her musical projects—including Sarah Kramer-Harrison and The Night Promises and the band Naked—leading a collective of the region's most formidable talent. Whether she is shaping the role to support cultural infrastructure or delivering a heart-centered performance on stage, Sarah Kramer-Harrison remains committed to nurturing the authentic, cultural, historic and creative spirit that defines the Hudson Valley.

IBM

Why Arts Mid-Hudson?
“As an active member of the Dutchess County community, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of arts and culture. Through my involvement with Arts Mid-Hudson, I’ve seen how the organization brings people together, fosters creativity, and celebrates our diverse heritage. I’m excited to contribute my skills and experiences to further Arts Mid-Hudson’s mission and enrich the cultural landscape of our region.”

A long-time resident of Dutchess County, Preetha Natesan is an active member of the Hindu Samaj community and a devoted representative of the Asian Indian diaspora. With strong affiliations to Arts Mid-Hudson and the Dutchess County Interfaith Council (DCIC), where she currently serves on the board, she has played a vital role in promoting cultural understanding through the arts for many years.

As a trained vocalist and Veena player, Preetha has shared the rich traditions of Indian classical music with the local community for over two decades. Her involvement with Arts Mid-Hudson includes participation in Folk Arts events and the Kingston Multicultural Festival organized by the REHER Center, where she has showcased the beauty of the rich cultural heritage of India.

Professionally, Preetha is an engineer who balances her technical career with her passion for music and community engagement. She is committed to enriching the cultural landscape of Dutchess County and looks forward to furthering her contributions through the Arts Mid-Hudson.

Digital Strategist/Account Executive iHeart Media of the Hudson Valley

Ava Savosh is an account executive with a focus in digital marketing for iHeart Media of the Hudson Valley. She has been with the organization since 2017 and has worked in several different roles however she has been in her current position since 2020. Her job functions include building custom marketing plans for business and organizations across with United States with a concentration in the tri-state area utilizing different audio, digital and social media tactics. She is a 2021 and 2022 iHeart Media President’s Award winner as well as a 2021 New York State Broadcasters Association Excellence in Broadcasting Award for Community Engagement Winner. Ava is a member of the New York State Broadcasting Association’s Futures Committee and the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce Hudson Valley Young Professionals as an Advisory Council Member.

Holding a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Mercy College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from the State University of New York at New Paltz, Ava is an active member of the Hudson Valley community. She can be found hiking local trails, kayaking local waterways, or grabbing a bite to eat. She enjoys spending time with her shih tzu Barry or her cat Lebron. Her and her husband are massive sports fans – Go Yankees, Rangers and Vikings!

Program Coordinator / Vice President Sustainable Hudson Valley / Artists' Collective of Hyde Park

Why Arts Mid-Hudson?
“Working with artists is important to me. As a business, I made the decision over 7 years ago to feature Black and Latino/Latina artists as Shapiro’s. Representing less than 18% of the art world, especially in home goods and furniture sector.”

Barbara Todd is a Hyde Park native and graduate of Marist College. After a few years working locally at Hudson Valley Credit Union, where she evolved from IRA specialist to IT Applications analyst, she began working in New York City. Beginning as a consultant, she worked her way up from Senior Quality Assurance Analyst to Manager at Columbia House, then Manager of QA for Sales Systems at Viacom to Director of Quality Assurance at Scholastic Corporation. Most recently she has consulted as Project Manager and QA Lead at HDtracks and Program Coordinator at Sustainable Hudson Valley.

Barbara is a freelance photographer and digital artist and a founding member of Artists’ Collective of Hyde Park, where she currently serves as Vice President. She handles Marketing, website maintenance and social media for the group. Previously she was Secretary for Art Along the Hudson. She is also a member of The Art League of Hyde Park and Poughkeepsie. Barbara has shown her work in group and solo shows, some juried, since 2012 in a number of Hudson Valley venues. She is a two-time participant in the juried Art in the Loft show in Millbrook, NY. She was the first artist to show her work in the Poughkeepsie Common Council Chambers, which became an ongoing event space that was made possible by Arts Mid-Hudson working with the City.

Barbara’s work has been described as “painterly”, sometimes “romantic” or “dramatic” and is sometimes noted for its unusual light. Her work is influenced by her love of her cherished Hudson Valley and its school of painters. Henri Cartier-Bresson and classic noir films have affected her monotone work. A self-taught photographer, Barbara’s subjects range from landscapes to abstractions and from straight photography to, more recently, digital art. She emphasizes the many dimensions of reflections and the energy of contrast. For Barbara, the art of looking is as important as the rest of the image creation process. She strives for each work to break new ground rather than repeat herself artistically. Recently she has been producing prints on aluminum as well as traditional photo and art papers.