Elizabeth joined the staff in 2006 as Executive Director.  She brings more than sixteen years of professional experience in the arts to her position at VSA arts of Georgia.  Elizabeth has extensive experience working with non-profit organizations in the areas of fundraising and development, board development, and grant development.  In previous positions she has been responsible for curriculum design, marketing and promotions, program development, strategic plan development, and customer relationship management. Elizabeth has been involved in the formation of several non-profit arts service groups, is an award winning theatre director and costumer, and a respected acting coach.  She earned her BA in Theatre Arts from Kent State University, and she holds an MBA, with a concentration in Marketing and Strategic Leadership, from The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business. 

Since moving to Atlanta she has taken over the leadership of an all volunteer educational history based non profit group, is alumna of the MAAF Arts Leaders program, is currently a Georgia Center for Non-Profits CEO Central participant/student and has adjudicated the Governors Honors Awards in Theatre for the past three years. She has also served as a mentor for several young women with disabilities around the country pursuing careers in the arts and is a member of the Leadership in Disability Centers Community Steering Committee.

Jessie is a nationally certified sign language interpreter (CI/CT), with an Associates Degree in sign language interpreting from Dekalb College (now Georgia Perimeter College). Her work includes educational settings, business, community, mental health, medical, and theater interpreting.  Originally from the Boston area, she has lived in Atlanta for 15 years. She joined VSA arts of Georgia in 2003.