EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dance artist and choreographer Tara Pilbrow came to Alameda after 15 years performing and creating work in Paris, London and Argentina. In 2018 she partnered with West End Arts District to launch “Animate Alameda,” and two years later she accepted the role as executive director and has enjoyed expanding and diversifying the organization.

BOARD PRESIDENT

Rachel's diverse background encompasses entertainment, sales, and marketing, with a recent focus on early site activation and marketing strategies for development projects like The Point and the West Alameda Business Association. She excels at bridging the needs of various stakeholders, infusing local flavor and authenticity into her programs. Previously, Rachel had a successful career in digital media sales, specializing in video games and music industries. She began her marketing journey at SONY Metreon, overseeing activation programs and special event sales. Rachel holds a B.S. from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business.

BOARD SECRETARY

Michael has been dabbling in and dancing with the arts his whole life. Via a career in pediatric healthcare, he has witnessed firsthand the healing offered by creativity and expression. And as a twenty-year resident of Alameda, he has seen the transformation of place that the arts create. His garden is his favorite form of creative outlet. Michael is honored to be of service to his island home by being on the Board of West End Arts District.

Jessica is committed to racial equity, social justice, offers a bilingual/bicultural perspective, and has a long history of working with diverse communities, with almost 15 years as a social sector evaluation, research, and strategy consultant. Jessica is co-owner of Learning for Action, a firm that partners with organizations to maximize their impact. She was born and raised in Los Angeles to Salvadoran immigrants and now lives on the West End of Alameda with her musician husband and precocious son.

Nick's background in global product management and marketing led him to the West End of Alameda in 2020, where he restored a historic Victorian home. Alongside his tech career, Nick is an accomplished fine art photographer, exhibiting his work internationally and holding membership in the Bay Area Photographers Collective. He collaborates with artists across the San Francisco Bay Area, capturing music, dance, and theater, while also playing bass with local bands. Nick earned his Master's from the University of Cambridge and a Marketing Certificate from UC Berkeley.

An entrepreneur and artist with a strong commitment to all things art and music, Sandy Russell is co-owner for the last five years of The Fireside Lounge a local bar, lounge, community meeting place and music venue with a diverse live music program. The Fireside Lounge participates in the 2nd Friday Art Stroll and hosts a monthly art opening called ArtSmash for emerging Bay Area artists. Sandy’s company, Crate Big Ideas, repurposes wood wine crates and many other items into beautiful home décor. She is a board member of Rhythmix Cultural Works and also on the leadership team of West Alameda Business Association.

Aisha Barbeau is mother of two boys, an attorney, and long time lover of dance and the arts. She is excited to be helping WEAD bring more art to Alameda. Just what the world needs now.

Lori Bilella is a proud West End resident and is elated to be on the community advisory board of the West End Arts District! Lori is a parent, a professional working in climate change for 20 years, a musician, queer, nonbinary, and a passionate community organizer. Lori is looking forward to supporting the many exciting and culturally diverse festivals and events organized by WEAD that bring together members of our Alameda community and residents of the surrounding Bay Area.

Employed in London, San Francisco, Oakland, and Alameda activating landmark properties with multi-disciplinary performing and visual arts, business, community, non profit, public events; I made my home on the West End in 2012 after joining the crew of the USS Hornet Museum.

A graduate of the Long Island School of the Arts, with training in NYC at Uta Hagen’s HB Studios, continuing ed studies in voice at A.C.T., fundraising, marketing, real estate with a passion for cinema and theatre preservation — other consulting clients include Oakland’s Historic Movie Palace: the Grand Lake Theatre.

Sarah Jo has a limitless appetite for learning and approaches life with compassion, creativity, and optimism. With 10+ years of Learning and Development program management experience she is energized by connecting people and communities to opportunity and solutions to successfully reach their goals.

Before joining the LinkedIn's enablement team, she led job search training programs in San Francisco, and led professional development training programs for nonprofits. She is a proud member of LGBTQIA family, and a Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging accomplice.

Yakaira is a product and research leader in tech. Over the course of her career she has employed her expertise across industries and services for multinational organizations, educational institutions, start ups, and not for profits. As VP of Research & Insights for the Einstein 1 Platform at Salesforce she focuses on driving insights for: AI, Data, Automation, Developer & Admin Experiences, Analytics. Doing impactful work and building responsible tech & research fluency throughout organizations is what keeps her going. She currently lives in Alameda with her family of two dogs, one 12-year-old son and one husband. She loves new and emerging music, dance, yummy food, humid nights, and deep community connection.