About Us
We use three main strategies to bring our mission to life.
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Neighbors experience relationships, care, belonging, and affirmation of their humanity.
We believe that everyone has the right to belong, and we work hard to make sure neighbors experience relationships - not transactions - when they are at GAAH. Cultivating environments that honor and affirm people’s humanity, culture, and identity is critical to what we do.
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Neighbors gain awareness of self and others through creativity, expression, curiosity, empathy, and learning.
Providing resources and opportunities to explore the arts and access quality education is such an important part of being human. We encourage everyone who walks through our doors to build awareness of self and others through creativity, expression, curiosity, empathy, and learning.
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Neighbors are connected to and influence systems to create more equitable outcomes.
We know that we cannot change the world without changing systems of oppression, and we aim to do that with our community members in the lead. We actively connect and engage with individuals within institutions, systems, & structures to advocate for neighbors, and we also connect our neighbors to resources, supports, and opportunities to influence and change the systems that impact our communities each day.
Meet Our Team
Meet Our Team
Steff Rosalez
she/her • ceo
Steff is an artist and musician who started working at GAAH in 2011 because of her passion for the arts and community. In her role as CEO, she loves working to ensure our community has access to environments of care, creativity, and curiosity. Being able to use her creativity and problem-solving skills to make our community stronger is one of her favorite things about her role at GAAH. Steff loves to play music and use synthesizers in her band, How to Live Together. She lives with her partner and their three cats and always looks for opportunities to learn more about the world and travel.
srosalez@gaah.org • 920.659.6966
Jes Kramer
she/her • cfo
Jes is proud to support the work at GAAH behind the scenes, managing the organization's finances and systems. As CFO, she finds great joy in making complicated systems simpler so that they can benefit the people who navigate them. Jes got involved with the organization through Girls Rock! Grand Rapids, where she was a volunteer band coach and instrument instructor for many years before becoming an employee. Outside of work, she enjoys playing music in her one-woman band, hanging out with her son, reading, and cooking.
jkramer@gaah.org • 616.742.0692
Alex Kuiper
He/They • COO
Alex is a lifelong Grand Rapidian, an educator by trade, and an arts enthusiast by passion. Alex spent almost ten years of his career in Godfrey-Lee Public Schools as both a teacher and building administrator. He also helped to direct theater and coached the first Forensics (speech & debate) team. In his role as COO, he loves working at the cross section of community, youth development and the arts. He is passionate about making and working in spaces that create a sense of belonging for all who enter. Outside of work, he enjoys hosting trivia at local restaurants, performing karaoke, and being with friends and family.
Meghan Martinez
she/her
Cook Library Center • Administrator
Meghan is a librarian and educator by trade who joined the Cook Library Center in November of 2022. She was drawn to GAAH because of its strong sense of community. As the Cook Library Administrator, she loves working with neighbors to elevate youth voices and help push for young voices to play more of a role in what happens within our community. It is also her pleasure to help promote inclusion and equity through reading about different people, places, and perspectives. When she's not working behind the desk at the library, you can find her hiking, watching sci-fi movies, and reading books in her hammock.
mmartinez@gaah.org • 616.475.1150
Mic Valo
she/they
Cook Library Center • Middle AND High School Coordinator
Mic is an ally and educator who joined the GAAH team in February 2023. She values the way GAAH strives to provide access to education and arts for communities of color while uplifting the voices of our neighbors and youth in hopes of making change. She appreciates the chance to connect with the community, help youth continue to write their own stories, and plant roots in our neighborhood. As the Middle and High School Coordinator, she hopes to support young people in achieving academic success and overall health and well-being. She prides herself in being inclusive and accepting of all identities and experiences. It’s Mic’s goal that after talking, you feel valued, heard, and understood. Mic enjoys trying different types of food and drink, thrifting, listening to music, and spending time with her partner and two cats.
mvalo@gaah.org • 616.475.1150
Sandra Rodriguez-Ramirez
she/her
Cook Library Center • Elementary Coordinator
Sandra came to work at GAAH by chance. In 2017, there was a great need for someone to help work with students, patrons, and neighbors at the library center, and Sandra answered the call. The teens and staff who interviewed her immediately noticed that she put people at ease, and she still does that today. Sandra fell in love with the community, culture, and stories told in the space. Years later, she continues to connect and build long-standing relationships. She loves to work with her group as the Elementary Coordinator and the many people who come to our spaces each day. She enjoys motivating people to follow their dreams and is inspired by all those who interact with her.
When not at work, Sandra enjoys reading, spending time with family, watching movies, charging her social battery, playing with her pet husky, and exploring different cuisines with family and friends.
srodriguezramirez@gaah.org • 616.475.1150
Kas Valtierra
she/THEY
Cook ARTS Center • ADMINISTRATOR
While managing the Cook Arts Center front desk is where Kas usually is, she has played many other roles at GAAH. She first joined GAAH in 2018 as a contract instructor and taught various classes at both facilities. Eventually, she joined the team as our CAC Administrator, and now she utilizes her past experience as a kindergarten teacher to find new ways to improve efficiency, communication, and personal experiences for anyone who steps into GAAH spaces. She is passionate about celebrating the things that bring joy and celebrating others as a community. Outside of work, Kas practices plant identification and is a ceramicist.
kvaltierra@gaah.org • 616.742.0692
Huong/Harmony Nguyen
they/them
Cook ARTS Center • STUDIO MANAGER
Hương became connected to GAAH through Grand Rapid's ceramic community in 2017. Since GAAH hires local artists to teach neighbors, Harmony was able to start working as a contractor in the Ceramics Studio. Under the guidance, care, and support of staff (shoutout to Steffanie + Eleanor!!) Hương has been able to blossom into a role of leadership as CAC Studio Manager, complete their college degree, and maintain their creative practice as a sculptor. Harmony says they believe that GAAH will always be part of their community because the work is rooted in acts of joy, accountability, and supporting one another at every stage in life. Karaoke, dancing, sharing food, and creating art all help Hương thrive beyond and within the walls of GAAH.
hnguyen@gaah.org • 616.742.0692
Noemi Gonzalez
they/them • Community Engagement Coordinator
Throughout almost every stage of their life, Noemi has been a part of GAAH. Their earliest memory is at age four, participating in the little ballerinas class in the Cook Arts Center dance studio, and they never really left. The relationships and sense of community that were built growing up within GAAH are what keep Noemi passionate as the community engagement coordinator. They love getting to know the amazing teens who participate in our Teen Leaders program: being there to listen, learn, and find new opportunities for them to continue their growth as people is very meaningful for Noemi. Outside of work, they enjoy spending time with their cat Saffron, reading, photography, and cooking.
ngonzalez@gaah.org • 616.742.0692
Victoria Hart
she/her • Development and Communications Manager
Victoria joined GAAH in 2023 eager to share her skills and experience as a nonprofit leader. Victoria has spent her career working with the disability community and is passionate about the power of inclusion and advocacy to challenge perspectives and create equitable futures. As the Development & Communications Manager, she identifies and implements opportunities to amplify GAAH’s mission and build relationships with community stakeholders. Working with a community that teaches her daily how to be a better ally and advocate brings her great joy. In her free time, Victoria enjoys hiking, traveling, reading, and spending time with her four-legged feline daughters.
vhart@gaah.org • 616.742.0692
Join Us
Our employees work closely with many other community members and contract staff who are critical parts of our team. Contract staff members teach classes, tutor students, lead housekeeping, and more!
Regardless of their role, each member of our team works to embody our key characteristics, and practices being eager to learn and unlearn, accountable to the team, and committed to the neighborhood. We also ask our team members to do their best each day to take one or all three of our critical actions: engage with youth, call out injustice, or share joy!
Does this sound like you? We are always looking for more passionate neighbors, artists, musicians, dancers, tutors, and activity leaders to join our contract staff team!
Meet Our Board
Meet Our Board
Ricardo Benavidez
HE/HIM
Ktisis Capital • President
I instantly fell in love with the work of GAAH - the neighborhood and the vast intersection of identities the organization serves in is inspiring. I am excited by the organization’s and staff’s potential to affect systemic change in the Roosevelt Park neighborhood specifically and the philanthropic sector broadly.
Briana Trudell
she/her
Bradbury Miller Associates • VICE PRESIDENT
GAAH is such an important organization in our community. It provides our neighbors with a safe and caring space where kids and families can build community, try new things, and grow. The staff take the time to really get to know the neighbors and make them feel welcome and empowered.
Scott Harris
HE/HIM
PNC BANK • Treasurer
I love seeing kids allowed to be kids, be happy, find themselves, and feel safe. I know GAAH creates those spaces and when a board position opened, specifically for Treasurer, it matched my skill set and I wanted to help.
Chavala Ymker
THEY/THEM
JOHN BALL ZOO • secretary
My passion is to help people tell their stories and I'm so excited to be a part of an organization that so intentionally uses art and stories to inspire confidence and break down harmful structures.
Marlene Kowalski-Braun
she/her
Grand Valley State University
I wanted to spend my time walking alongside an organization that was committed to equity. GAAH uses an equity lens in all it does. It elevates the voices of neighbors, works to create the conditions for their thriving, and specifically invests in youth in the community - an investment in the future.
Nancy Toledo Jimenez
she/her/ella
Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.
I joined the board because GAAH is awesome and I wanted to give back to the organization that helped me tap into my creativity. Growing up, I'd go to GAAH's summer camps and I loved trying new things like pottery, guitar, violin etc. I'm excited to continue to champion the work of GAAH and help advance it.
Addie Donley
SHE/HER
URBAN CORE COLLECTIVE
GAAH is so welcoming of absolutely everyone that they come in contact with. I love what they bring to the community. GAAH gives kids the chance to try new things that they normally wouldn't have done. Getting an opportunity to be part of that is amazing.
Ebony Moore
SHE/HER
HOPE NETWORK
I’m excited to continue to stay involved in the community in which I work and live.
Douglas Titus
he/him
Local Artist
I chose to become a part of the board of directors with the primary goal of sharing my skills and experiences with the children in our community. Believing in the profound impact of collective efforts, I am dedicated to leveraging my expertise to positively influence the lives of these kids.
Luis Perez
he/him
Steelcase
As someone who has benefited from the programs offered at GAAH, I find it incredibly rewarding to give back by offering my time, commitment, and experience. As the Cesar Chavez community continues to grow, it is crucial that we prioritize the well-being of our community, and I believe GAAH has already been doing this for several years. I am also excited to support collaboration between GAAH and other community organizations that are doing great work, expanding free programming opportunities to students.
Want to join this group of passionate changemakers and help lead engagement even more intentionally with our community?
The first step for those interested in joining the GAAH Board of Directors is to take a Board Service Readiness Quiz, and connect with our CEO to discuss the results!