About Benvenuti Arts
Our Staff
Benvenuti Arts is a small and mighty team, just like yours. Headed by Founder, Sarah Benvenuti, Benvenuti Arts brings together expertise in fundraising, management, producing, administration, marketing, sales, and more. What this means is if you have a need, chances are, we have a solution.
Contact us for a free, 30 minute consultation to see for yourself.
Executive Office
Sarah Benvenuti, CEO & Founder, Pittsburgh, PA (she/her)
Sarah has worked in arts and culture for over 15 years, gaining experience across the country in theater, dance, film, education, and other cultural fields. She has worked with over 100 small arts organizations and individual artists, assisting them with fundraising, financial, administrative, planning, and interim needs.
Benvenuti began her career as Director of Future Tenant in Pittsburgh, PA. Before founding Benvenuti Arts, she served as Special Events Manager of Arena Stage in Washington, DC; Managing Director of Curious Theater Company in Denver, Colorado; and Director of Development and Interim Managing Director of The Civilians in Brooklyn, NY. Having consulted with small organizations and individual artists since 2011, she founded Benvenuti Arts in 2014 with the goal of helping small and mighty organizations build up the operational support needed to create and produce their work.
Benvenuti earned her B.M. in Music Education (piano and voice) from Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA, and her M.A. in Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA.
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She has served on the Golden Triangle Neighborhood Association Board in Denver, CO; on the Carnegie Mellon Heinz College Alumni Association Board; and was Chair of the Future Tenant Alumni Association, based out of Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon University.
Benvenuti has participated in the Arts Leadership Institute of the New York Arts and Business Council and Impact Denver of the Denver Metro Chamber, and was an inaugural Emerging Leaders of New York Arts Fellow. She has been a guest lecturer for arts administration courses at Bard College, St. Lawrence University, and Mercyhurst University. She has sat on a number of grants and conference panels concerning arts management, real estate, emerging leadership, and creative partnerships.
Sarah is a digital nomad, based out of Pittsburgh, PA, and Brooklyn, NY.
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Julie Hord, Deputy Director, Reston, VA (she/her)
Julie has worked in the arts, culture, and wellness industries for the past 15 years. She began her career as a Development Associate at Future Tenant, a space for emerging, alternative artists in Pittsburgh, PA. A year later, she and Sarah Benvenuti forged their personal and professional relationship serving as co-Directors at Future Tenant. Julie would go on to serve as Communications Officer for the world renowned Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts in Omaha, NE and Marketing Manager for Las Vegas’ professional ballet company, Nevada Ballet Theatre. While in Las Vegas, Julie entered the wellness industry by way of her love of Bikram Yoga. She began teaching in June 2010 after completing Bikram Yoga Teacher training, and continues her teaching career to this day.
She joined Benvenuti Arts in early 2016. Julie earned her B.A. in Communication Studies from Furman University, with a focus in persuasive speech, and her M.A. in Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University. She is classically-trained on the french horn. Julie lives in Reston, Virginia with her husband, son and Tucker the dog.
Paengsuda Panyatham (Suda), Executive Assistant, Bologna, Italy (she/her)
Paengsuda (Suda) describes herself as an all-rounder. Through her work in media production, journalism and the arts, she has gained skills in communication and management while broadening her experience in the arts and creative landscape. Her passion for the arts began at a young age. Since the age of six, she was trained in ballroom dancing for 15 years and participated in national and international competitions. She also enjoys drawing and performing on stage, which eventually led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Innovation and Organisation of Culture and Arts at the University of Bologna (Italy). Her interests include storytelling, multiculturalism, design and technology. Combining her skills and passion, she now works as an executive assistant at Benvenuti Arts.
Internship Program Members
Laura Vola, Pittsburgh, PA (she/her)
After receiving her bachelor degree in Political, Social and International Sciences, Laura decided to enroll in the master program, “Innovation and Organization of Culture and the Arts” at the University of Bologna. During her second year, she pursued an exchange semester in the Arts Management program at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Her passion for the arts has led her to integrate her organizational and planning attitude with proper managerial skills and tools for this industry. She can see herself working in the back office of the arts and culture industry to create the possibilities to share her interests with a wide audience and at the same time have the privilege to closely experience the decision and operating process behind it. During her academic years, she has worked as a junior manager in marketing and communication for a local radio station in Bologna, as a gallery operator and exhibition guide, and in the Carnegie Mellon College of Fine Arts Advancement office. During this most recent experience, she consolidated her interest in development and fundraising, and is now following this path as an intern with Benvenuti Arts.
Zach Wiles, Bologna, Italy (he/him)
Zach began his career in the entertainment industry from a young age as a DJ and promoter but realized he had a talent for working behind the scenes. He then moved to Los Angeles and began working at Universal Music Group after earning a BA in Music Business. During this time, Zach began to work with Tastemakers Media, launching a 24-hour electronic music channel on Dash Radio and his own weekly radio show: The Rewind. In 2021, he moved to Italy to pursue a master’s degree in management of arts and culture at the University of Bologna which rekindled a passion for narrative, creative writing and working with independent artistic communities.
Operations and Membership Department
Alyona Solovyova, Operations Manager, Bologna, Italy (she/her)
Alyona is a cultural and innovation manager. After graduation with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Management of Organizations, Alyona gained experience working as an analyst in a small consulting company. After she worked in the fashion industry, helped to build business processes and develop an ethical clothing brand (Only Me). Alyona loves working on the development of cultural startups — she participated in the creation of a startup called EU1697 in Amsterdam. She also created her start-up as part of Almacube in Bologna. Alyona lives in Italy, where graduating with her Master in Innovation and Organization of Culture and the Arts in University of Bologna.
Alicia Margarita Olivo, Membership Coordinator Manager, Houston, TX (she/her)
Alicia is a Mexican American playwright and arts administrator based in Houston, Texas. Alicia is currently a cohort member for the 2022-2023 the National Leaders of Color Fellowship cohort through the Mid-America Arts Alliance. As a playwright, Alicia’s plays have been developed and received readings with Rec Room Arts, Stages, Company One Theater, The Workshop Theater, Teatro Chelsea, Telatúlsa, AlterTheater, and The Inkwell Theater. Alicia holds a B.A. in Theatre Studies and Comparative Race and Ethnicity Studies from Wellesley College. Alicia loves talking about comic books, good food, and the weather. amolivo.com
Rebecca Mastrorocco, Operations and Membership Assistant, Berlin, Germany (she/her)
Rebecca has worked in live events organisation and promotion, fine arts workshops and film industry productions. After obtaining her bachelor in Ethnomusicology and Global Popular Music in London UK, she worked as music journalist for Rhythm Passport magazine, event promoter in London’s vibrant world music scene, and behind the Netflix series ‘The Crown’. She originally joined Benvenuti Arts while graduating in Bologna with her Master in Innovation and Organization of Culture and the Arts. She lives in Berlin, where she works supporting local independent music scenes.
Client Experience Department
Consultant Team
Adriana Rossetto, Senior Consultant, Cislago, Italy (she/her)
Adriana is a multi-hyphenated third culture kid with a predilection for raw, socially progressive art with avant-garde esthetics. Born in Mexico from Brazilian parents, she grew up between Italy and the States. She graduated from Bocconi University (Milan) with a Bachelor in International Economics, Management and Finance. In New York, she attended The Stella Adler Conservatory program, class of 2014. Recent credits include Rocco Chelsea Adriana Sean Claudia Gianna Alex at HERE Arts Center (NYC) and Title Point’s Post:Death (directed by Theresa Buchheister) at The Brick Theatre (BK). Adriana is a resident actress and Director of Development at John Gould Rubin’s The Private Theatre, company artist and board member at Vieve Price’s TEA. Past training include the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (London) and NIDA (Sydney).
Candace Tabbs, Consultant, Atlanta, GA (she/her)
Candace is a performer, writer, creator and facilitator of movement-based practices including choreography, improvisation, movement as self-care and movement as social justice for movers and thinkers of all ages and abilities. She has performed at venues such as BAM Opera House and Lincoln Center, as well as internationally in Toronto, Canada and Amsterdam, Netherlands. Recently, she was the recipient of a 2019 Pepatián Dance Your Future Residency and premiered her first evening-length work “coming toward” at BAAD! (Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance). Candace is also an ACE certified Personal Trainer and fitness instructor with over a decade in the fitness industry and earned a B.A. in Neuroscience and Behavior from Barnard College. Deepening her practices around self and community care, Candace shares energy healing work rooted in embodied listening as a certified Reiki practitioner. This passion for supporting the visions of others lead to working as a freelance editor for writers in all stages of their creative process. Candace is excited to join the Benvenuti Arts team. PC: Charles McCain
Nathan Bussard, Consultant, Pittsburgh, PA (he/him)
Nathan is a multi-disciplinary artist, arts manager, and creative business consultant based on Pittsburgh, PA. His creative practices is currently focused on ceramics, illustration, and painting. As an arts manager and creative business consultant, he received dual Masters degrees from both Carnegie Mellon University in Arts Management and the University of Bologna in Innovation and Organization of Culture and the Arts to ensure that creative individuals have the essential tools to pursue their artistic practice or small business. Outside of Benvenuti Arts, Nathan is the Communication & Events Manager at Radiant Hall where he uses his 9 years of event management experience and art management background to ensure local artists have the resources and support they need to thrive and affordable space to create.
Janus Young, Associate Consultant, Pittsburgh, PA (they/them)
Janus Young is an all-around production MacGyver, artist, technician, and producer. Most recently, Production Manager for Bricolage Production Company but has also worked as an actor, director, lighting designer, musician, playwright and sound designer. In their free time they play lots of games, study Herbology, and cuddle their two cats and dog.
Meghan Dale, Grant Writer, Harrisburg, PA (she/her)
Meghan is a writer and researcher and recently received her Ph.D. in the Department of Education at the University of Pittsburgh. Her dissertation explored how literacy teachers may disrupt racially inequitable discipline outcomes using anti-racist or asset-based classroom practices. Meghan’s research and advocacy interests include school discipline, literacy learning, and teacher practice. Prior to her doctoral work, Meghan was a 9th grade literacy teacher in Pittsburgh, PA. She earned her B.A. in English Literature, her M.A.T. in English Language Arts Secondary Education, and her Ph.D. in Language, Literacy and Culture from the University of Pittsburgh.
Amanda Bublinec, Grant Writer, Pittsburgh, PA (she/her)
Amanda is a writer, artist, and volleyball enthusiast, originally from a small town near Cleveland, Ohio. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Writing and French from Calvin University and her professional background is in non-profit fundraising and communications. In addition to working with Benvenuti Arts, she works part-time for Holy Family Institute, a large education and social services organization in Pittsburgh, and makes jewelry under her small business name, Sweet Elvira Designs. In her free time, Amanda enjoys reading, writing creatively, gardening, playing volleyball, and serving as a trustee on the board of her local library.
Mary-Anne Ospina, Associate Grant Writer, Los Angeles, CA (she/her)
Mary-Anne Ospina has worked in various non-profits and currently based in Los Angeles. She previously worked as a Client Database Assistant for the Asian Taskforce Against Domestic Violence in Boston and is now a file clerk for the UFW Foundation. Outside of Benvenuti Arts, she is the Membership Coordinator for her alma mater’s shared interest group for LGBTQ+ alumni and does volunteer transcription and data maintenance work for different web platforms. Mary-Anne holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Wellesley College.
Kalyani Singh, Associate Grant Writer, New York City, NY (she/her)
Kalyani Singh is a performer, actor, musician, and social justice advocate. Passionate about social justice, her interests span across urban environmental policy, criminal justice, food justice, and grassroots-driven community and economic development. She is constantly curious about how we can lay the groundwork for liberation and democratic decision-making processes at the micro and macro levels. She holds Bachelor degrees in Theatre and Political Science and a Masters in Political Science from Lehigh University, which then led her to the Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs in Pittsburgh, PA. There, she worked in nonprofits, economic development, and community-supported agriculture, and also performed in immersive theatre and improv. She now resides in Brooklyn, NY, pursuing a Masters in Applied Theatre at CUNY, as well as furthering her artistic career in music.
Ariel Estrada, Associate Grant Writer, New York City, NY (he/him)
Ariel is an actor, producer, writer, and advocate in support of Asian American equity in the performing arts. As an actor, he has performed on television, film, commercials, digital media, and Off-, and Off-Off-Broadway. As a producer, Ariel is the Founder and Producing Artistic Director for Leviathan Lab, a nonprofit creative studio for Asian American performing artists. As an arts administrator, he is the current Communications & Development Associate for Mabou Mines and the Marketing & Membership Director for the Consortium of Asian American Theatres and Artists. He is the immediate past National Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator for Actors’ Equity Association. His arts leadership has been recognized by artEquity, New York Foundation for the Arts, and Theatre Communications Group. As a grant writing consultant and has won over $310K in grant funding for NYC nonprofits of color. He is also a Fortune 500-level graphic designer. arielestrada.com | leviathanlab.com | FB: /ariel.estrada1 | TW: @arielestrada | IG: @arielestrada1 | LI: /arielestrada
Grant Writers Pool
Blake Mallah, Junior Grant Writer – she/they – Harrisburg, PA
Cheryl-Lynn Trenary, Junior Grant Writer – she/her – Orlando, FL
Josh Butcher, Junior Grant Writer – he/him – Pittsburgh, PA
Shoshana Freund, Junior Grant Writer – she/her – Minneapolis, MN
Zack Carey, Junior Grant Writer – he/him – Chambersburg, PA
Meeting Assistants Pool
Brianna Mayfield, Meeting Assistant – she/her – AR
Elsie Carboni-Troche, Meeting Assistant – she/her – Austin, TX
Flutura Chelaj, Meeting Assistant – she/her – Prishtina, Kosovo
Kamar Omari, Meeting Assistant – she/they – Canton, NY
Michelle Yisiya, Meeting Assistant – she/her – Nairobi, Kenya
Natasha Cabrera, Meeting Assistant – she/her – Cobb, CA
Shaili Sanikapalli, Meeting Assistant – she/her – Hoschton, GA
Valeria Obregon Diaz, Meeting Assistant – she/her – Tijuana, Mexico
Don’t know what you need?
Don’t sweat! During our free, 30 minute consultation, Benvenuti Arts can help.
We love a puzzle!
We Work Everywhere
Though based in Pittsburgh, Benvenuti Arts works in your community. With clients from California to New York, Louisiana to Idaho, we have a wealth of experience with nonprofit needs in communities across the country. We work with you to adapt our strategies to your needs, working on site or online, to keep overhead low and quality high.
