Meet Our Staff

Founder and CEO

Kat (they/she) is a nonprofit executive and fundraising professional who has inspired over $35.7 million in charitable giving since 2010. As an avid STEAM advocate, they feel a strong connection to the principles of social entrepreneurship, particularly centered around arts-integrated racial and economic justice.

Kat was first in their family to attend college, start a business, and get a Master’s Degree. In February 2021, at 31, they were honored by the New York City Council and the Chair of the Arts and Culture Committee for community service and a lifetime of philanthropy as part of Black History Month celebrations.

In 2014, Kat founded Arts Business Collaborative. Under their leadership, the organization’s budget grew from $30,000 in 2018 to over $10 million in 2020, providing technical assistance and movement incubation through the lenses of racial equity and data-informed research.

Kat served on the Queens Community Board 2 as Treasurer and part of the Arts & Culture and Budget Committees from 2021-2025. They currently serve as President of the board of The Effing Foundation for Sex-Positivity and are a co-founder of BLX Alternative, an organization committed to reducing and eliminating the shame and stigma associated with alternative relationships for economically and racially marginalized communities.

They are a graduate of Wellesley College with a dual Bachelors in Media Arts and Sciences and Printmaking and earned a Masters in Nonprofit Management with a concentration in Online Community Organizing at Northeastern University. In their limited spare time, they like to play resource management video games, make art on their mini etching press, play with their cats Noodle & Kimchi, and take long nature walks.

Chief Financial Officer & Director of Operations

Josh (He/him/his) has been working in the non-profit sector in different capacities for the past 15 years. This includes as a board member for different non-profits and currently as a CFO for a NYS charter school. Josh holds a strong belief that non-profits provide the greatest diversity to the business world as well as the most interesting projects. As such, his life mission is to help non-profit entrepreneurs reach success by sharing his years of HR, finance, and start-up knowledge in the non-profit world as a mentor and coach to small business entrepreneurs.

Executive Assistant to the CEO & CFO

Carolyn (she/her/hers) has been involved in non-profit organizations in the tri-state area for over 15 years. Most notably as the president and one of the founders of Operation Toy Train. OTT has collected over 350,000 toys for the USMC Toys for Tots Foundation since its inception in 2009, helping to provide holiday presents for children of struggling families in the northeast. She is thrilled to apply her experience volunteering, as well as many years of administrative experience, to benefit under-represented communities in the arts and sciences.

Music and the arts have always been at the core of who she is. Carolyn was a performer with the New York Renaissance Festival for several years, and enjoys singing and performing in her spare time, as well as spending time with her husband Rudy and her two cats, Ziggy & Fedya.

Grants Coordinator

Kiera Gillock, MS is a nonprofit administrator and arts advocate honored to support arts and cultural organizations in their missions to inspire, uplift, and create lasting impact. With extensive experience in program management, grant writing, fundraising, and organizational development, she is dedicated to strengthening operations, expanding community engagement, and increasing access to the arts.

At Theatre Tuscaloosa, Kiera was privileged to steward the SecondStage program for nearly a decade, fostering opportunities for emerging theatrical artists and creatives. As part of Columbia Festival of the Arts, she collaborates with industry professionals to produce an annual festival that showcases diverse artistic expression and ensures accessibility for the entire community. In her role as Grants Coordinator for Arts Business Collaborative, she is grateful to contribute to efforts that break down systemic barriers, securing funding to support artists and STEM organizations from historically marginalized communities across the U.S.

Deeply committed to the power of the arts, Kiera takes great pride in working alongside these organizations, helping to connect them with the resources and strategic guidance they need to thrive.

Board Member

Akil Davis (he/him) is a Financial Advisor in Omaha, Nebraska. He has been married for 13 years and has 3 beautiful children. In his free time, you may catch him hanging out with his family and friends and enjoying Nebraska sports and Chicago Bear football games.

Board Secretary

See above.

Board Member

Rochelle Swails is a dynamic and accomplished professional currently serving as a Director in valuation at CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA). Rochelle has been with CLA 15+ years. Rochelle holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and American Studies from Franklin College and a Master of Library Science from Indiana University. Her educational background has provided her with a strong foundation in research, analysis, and critical thinking, which she applies in her work with business owners. Rochelle specializes in gift and estate tax valuation work, particularly multi-entity and tiered entity valuations. Rochelle is a non-CPA Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Rochelle actively lives the CLA promise of “We promise to know you and help you” with her work on the CLA Foundation. Her professional journey has been marked by a commitment to continuous learning and growth, as evidenced by my active engagement in both the local office and national practice.