Meet Our Team

Nicole Powlison serves as the Grants Manager at ArtsFairfax. She coordinates ArtsFairfax’s grants programs for arts organizations and artists, supporting access to funds and resources for the diverse community of artists in Fairfax County. She joined ArtsFairfax in October 2024. 

Prior to joining ArtsFairfax, Nicole was the Executive Director of Amadeus Concerts and the Managing Director of the City of Fairfax Band Association. She has also previously served as a lecturer in music history and culture at the University of Maryland and Catholic University of America. Nicole earned her Bachelor of Science in Education specializing in music education at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and she holds master’s and doctoral degrees in musicology from the Florida State University. 

571-395-4619 | dmueller@artsfairfax.org

Debbie Mueller serves as the Director of Development at ArtsFairfax where she is responsible for all fundraising activities, including foundation and government grants, corporate sponsorships, individual giving, and the annual Arts Awards Luncheon. She joined ArtsFairfax in August 2021.

Her professional experience includes serving for 14 years as the Director of Development at the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture in Glen Echo, MD and for 11 years as the Foundation and Government Relations Officer at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. Ms. Mueller earned her B.A. in art and art history from Colgate University in New York and her M.A. in art history from The George Washington University in Washington, DC.

571-395-4623 | amui@artsfairfax.org

Allison Mui Mitchell serves as Director of Advocacy & Communications at ArtsFairfax, where she manages the public perception of the nonprofit, its leadership, and its work to promote local arts and culture opportunities, and inspire arts engagement.

Previously, Allison was Director of Public Relations for New 42, a cultural nonprofit that ran The New Victory Theater, a performing arts venue for kids and families on 42^nd Street in Times Square, and New 42 Studios, Broadway’s iconic rehearsal facility. As a communications strategist, she guided public positioning and media relations for New 42 and its artistic, education and creative youth development programs. She also served as the principal press agent for The New Victory Theater, running the publicity campaigns for more than a dozen international productions each season. Prior to New 42, she worked in media and finance crisis management at RLM Finsbury (now FGS Global). Allison currently serves on the Board of Directors for Theatre for Young Audiences USA and on the Board of Advisors for Care+Wear. She is a graduate of The University of Virginia.

Stella Hanson serves as the Advocacy and Communications Manager at ArtsFairfax, where she oversees the organization’s social media, website, newsletter, and online engagement. She joined ArtsFairfax in September 2024.

Prior to joining ArtsFairfax, Stella worked as the Director of Media Production at the Character Assassination and Reputation Politics Research Lab and gained experience as a social media manager with organizations at George Mason University. Stella has also previously worked for the Walt Disney World Resort as a Disney College Program intern, and as a freelance English editor in Brazil. She has been involved with the performing arts both at the regional and state level as a flutist, and she is passionate about using digital mediums to increase access and awareness for the arts.

Stella earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with honors from George Mason University, where she specialized in Media Production and Criticism.

mquintero@artsfairfax.org

Manuela serves as the Digital Media & Outreach Manager at ArtsFairfax, where she oversees the organization’s website, newsletter, design, social media, and online community engagement. She has been with ArtsFairfax since August 2020.

Prior to joining ArtsFairfax, Manuela was the Social Media Coordinator for a small arts and crafts company in Costa Rica. Her professional journey includes roles at prestigious organizations such as The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Arena Stage, BalletX, Philadanco, and The Rock School for Dance Education. These experiences have cultivated her passion for non-profits and the performing arts.

Manuela holds a B.F.A. with Honors from The University of The Arts in Philadelphia and an M.A. in Arts Management from George Mason University.

571-395-4616 | Linda.Sullivan@ARTSFAIRFAX.ORG

Linda serves as President & CEO, reporting to and working with the Board of Directors to meet the organization’s mission, goals and objectives. Linda provides overall management of the organization’s programs and activities, staff and fiscal administration. As a consultant from 2001 to 2010 she worked with over two dozen arts organizations, of all disciplines, in the Washington DC region. Linda came to ArtsFairfax in November 2009 as a consultant, and she assumed the full-time position in March 2010.

Prior to coming to ArtsFairfax, Linda served the greater Washington area as an arts management consultant, specializing in interim directorships, capital project development and all aspects of arts management. Linda has worked with museums and exhibition centers as well as literary, performing arts and multi-arts presenting organizations. Additionally, her professional activities include teaching fundraising for George Washington University’s Museum Studies Program and serving as a Standards of Excellence reviewer for Maryland Nonprofits. Linda also has served as a commissioner, board member and grant reviewer for numerous state and local arts councils. She holds a MFA in Arts Administration from Columbia University.

571-395-4626 | gshareef@artsfairfax.org

Prior to joining ArtsFairfax, Gaffar worked for George Mason University, as an Analyst and as a Zone Manager at Paradies Lagardere Travel Retail. His professional experience has taught him the skills to manage Business Operations while using his educational experience to make the workflow more innovative and effective. Gaffar is an uprising senior at George Mason University, majoring in Information Technology- Cloud Computing. Gaffar joined ArtsFairfax in August 2021.

571-395-4617 | lmariam@artsfairfax.org

Lisa serves as Director of Grants & Services, overseeing ArtsFairfax’s grant programs, the Artist Residency Program, Arts for Life, Creative Spaces, and workshops. In addition, Lisa works closely with the Master Arts Plan Task Force to plan facilities and public art for Fairfax County. She also managed ArtsFairfax’s Imagine Art Here public art engagement projects. Lisa joined the staff of ArtsFairfax in 2009.

Prior to joining ArtsFairfax, Lisa organized traveling exhibitions and coordinated loans at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. Lisa reviews grants for other local arts agencies and selects artists for local public art projects. In addition to her arts leadership, Lisa served for eight years as the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Cultural Arts Chair in Fairfax County elementary and middle schools, Girl Scout Troop Leader, and is a member of the class of 2020 Leadership Fairfax. Lisa is a graduate of Georgetown University, and she holds a MA in Art History from George Washington University.

571-395-4625| jdubin@artsfairfax.org

Jackie serves as the Grants Manager, administering the various grant programs offered by ArtsFairfax. Jackie joined the team in November 2021.

Previously, Jackie worked as an Administrative Assistant to the Biophysics Integrated Review Group at the NIH Center for Scientific Review. She interned with the Gallery Guide program at the Hirshhorn Museum, creating the tour manual for the WHAT ABSENCE IS MADE OF exhibition. Jackie has also worked as a freelance artist and graphic designer, including a stint illustrating posters and web graphics for the Fillmore Silver Spring. Jackie graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a B.A. in Studio Art, concentration in Digital Media, and minor in Art History.

hcagle@artsfairfax.org

Hope serves as the Arts Education Manager overseeing the Artist Residency Program, Arts for Life, and other special initiatives. Hope joined ArtsFairfax in June of 2021.

Prior to joining ArtsFairfax, Hope worked as the Arts Program Coordinator for Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh, NC. She also completed an arts education fellowship with the National PTA and interned with the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative. Hope holds a B.A. in Art History from UNC-Chapel Hill and an M.A. from American University.

571-395-4623 | dstewart@artsfairfax.org

Dana serves as the Director of Communications & Advocacy overseeing ArtsFairfax’s strategic communications plan chief storyteller. In her role as an advocacy leader, Dana directs the local, state, and federal advocacy services. She joined ArtsFairfax in July 2018

Prior to joining ArtsFairfax, Dana was a founding partner and Vice-President at Cornerstone Government Affairs where she managed clients’ federal appropriation and policy strategies. In the non-profit arena, Dana led the development and implementation of The Washington Animal Rescue League’s communication department and served as a National Conservation Advocate for the Marine Fish Conservation Network. For the last three years, Dana has been a regular contributor to a variety of blogs and online magazines. Dana has a BA in Communications from the University of Kentucky and a Masters of Public Policy from American University.