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Jackie Pliskin, Interim Chair, MED joined CREATE’s Board of Directors in 2006. As a resident of Silver Spring, she is committed to enhancing the arts and arts education in her community, and strengthening CREATE’s ability to provide these important services. Jackie was the Executive Director of DC LEARNs, a coalition of children’s and adult literacy organizations in Metropolitan DC (serving low-income and immigrant populations); she also spent many years directing volunteer reading and storytelling programs in DC and Montgomery County public schools; has developed arts education programs in collaboration with museums and arts education organizations; and taught English in middle and high schools. Jackie is a clay artist and the mother of three young children. |
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Elizabeth Allaben, Treasurer, JD lives in nearby Shepherd Park, DC and is an attorney and mother of two teenagers. Beth became a CREATE volunteer in 2004 and now serves as Board Treasurer. After 19 years working on the food stamp and school lunch programs, Beth shifted from lawyer to community activist. In addition to serving on CREATE’s board, Beth has served as president of her neighborhood association and edits a newsletter for the 1500 families in her neighborhood. Her experience has helped her work as CREATE’s treasurer and before that, as treasurer of a local cooperative preschool. |
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Kay Marten, Secretary, started volunteering with CREATE in 2001 and soon after joined the Board. Having been a homeowner in Takoma, DC for over 30 years, she is committed to living in a multi-cultural community and helping community efforts supporting the arts. Kay is trained as an applied anthropologist and she began her work in education in an elementary school art room. Kay spent 12 years in Kenya where she was the director of the program for an American university. She also managed a program for a non-profit American volunteer service group. Kay has focused her efforts at CREATE on writing grants and has served as program director for CREATE’s smARTkids Program for at-risk youth since 2006. Kay is an artist and mother of two children. |
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Miriam Isserow, Director, is a resident of Silver Spring, and joined CREATE’s Board in the summer of 2009. She brings an extensive background in non-profit fundraising and is happy to share that experience with an organization she cares about so much. First introduced to Create by her elementary school aged daughter (who fancies herself an artist), Miriam was impressed the quality of instruction. In her work life, Miriam has worked for a variety of educational and social justice organizations and is now the Director of Development at Women Empowered Against Violence, Inc. (WEAVE), which provides an innovative range of holistic services for DC’s survivors of domestic violence. Miriam enjoys finding creative ways for small, community‑based organizations like Create to raise money without spending money. |
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Laura McGrew, Director, joined CREATE’s Board in December 2007, bringing expertise and experience in nonprofit marketing and fundraising organization. A strong believer in the arts and arts education, Laura dabbles in mosaic art or fused glass art whenever possible. She wants to help CREATE expand its market research and grant writing capabilities with the goal of being able to eventually improve the array of classes offered and CREATE’s physical classroom space. The Vice President of a local nonprofit Board of Directors, Laura is married and lives in Bethesda with her husband and son, a high school senior. Laura’s daughter is recent graduate of Carleton College in Minnesota. |
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Julie Zito, Director, has over 15 years of entertainment marketing experience, including work as the Director of Marketing for Discovery Channel in Silver Spring. A resident of Takoma Park, she is committed to the local arts community and excited about bringing the joy of creation to local families. Julie is a painter and muralist; her most recent creation was a fairy garden room for her daughter. |
