MEET OUR TEAM
Leslie Capello
Executive Vice PresidenT
Over the past 25 years, Leslie has focused her career on young children (birth-5 years) and the professionals who nurture their development and learning. Starting out as a toddler teacher in early care and education (ECE), she naturally moved into roles to support the ECE workforce and from there, held such leadership roles as Early Head Start Director at Grand Street Settlement, Deputy Director at Children’s Aid, and Senior Director at QUALITYstarsNY. In these positions, Leslie created systems that supported scalability, measuring impact, monitoring, project improvement, and accountability.
She also served eight years as an adjunct instructor at Borough Manhattan Community College (BMCC-CUNY) in the Teacher Education Department. Leslie earned a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Mills College in Oakland, California. Leslie enjoys traveling around NYC by train, ferry, or on foot visiting museums, galleries, parks, promenades, beaches, historical sites, bridges, and neighborhoods.
“I feel honored to be part of the team at Studio Institute. Supporting access to quality arts education and career pathways in the arts carries with it a deep investment in children, teens, and college students. It is a privilege to be part of their creative and developmental growth.”
Alberto Cordoba
Executive Assistant, office manager & manager of program administration
Alberto lends his expertise in Administration, Operations, and Project Management to create and implement procedures and strategies across a range of different industries. Prior to joining Studio Institute, Alberto worked with Net Capital as a Consultant. Alberto has worked in Office Management and as Executive Support for over 15 years in Boston and New York City.
Alberto was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia and earned his BS in Business Administration from Javeriana University. In his free time, he can be found gallery hopping, exploring new museum exhibits, drawing, riding his bike in Brooklyn, and learning new languages.
“Working at Studio Institute, I've found that work and life seamlessly merge as we assist in the development of youth art skills. There is nothing more fulfilling than witnessing new generations embrace the belief that art unites multiple cultures and communities.”
TEEN PROGRAMS
Angelica Negron
Associate Manager, Teen Programs
Angelica is a New York University graduate with a BFA in Photography & Imaging with honors and a double minor in Child & Adolescent Mental Health Studies and Art & Public Policy. She has worked within the field of art education at institutions such as the Brooklyn Children's Museum and Free Arts NYC, in addition to working as a Teaching Artist at schools throughout New York City. She has extensive experience creating curriculum for and teaching young people of all ages and abilities, including many with autism and related disabilities. In her free time, she can be found playing Skee-Ball, watching RuPaul's Drag Race, or exploring NYC to find the best sweet treat.
"Watching students discover the endless career paths within the arts and culture fields is incredibly inspiring. I am confident the next generation of artist and arts workers will aid in creating an equitable, exciting art world, and knowing I have a small part in shaping their experience here at Studio is an honor."
Samantha Copé
Associate Manager, Bloomberg Arts Intern
Samantha Copé (she/her) has enjoyed a variety of professional experience from classroom teaching to nonprofit administration. Most recently as a Communications Coordinator at Cool Culture, an arts equity organization and partner of Studio Institute, she collaborated with interns from Bloomberg Arts Internship and CUNY Cultural Corps to curate content for programming in support of arts access and social change. She transitioned from art education to nonprofit because of her own internship experience through AmeriCorps VISTA.
Growing up in Maryland, Samantha fell in love with the arts and cultural spaces of D.C. and has since found, between her time teaching middle school and working in nonprofit, some of her favorite memories are museum field trips with students and interns. Outside of her professional interests, Samantha loves biking in Central Park, silent discos along the Hudson, game nights with friends, and visiting the beach and her family who now live in California.
“I know the power of internships for career exploration personally and have witnessed the impact of the BAI program on the interns I’ve worked with.”
ryan hamilton
program manager, program administration - tap
Ryan C. Hamilton (he/him) has spent over 10 years working in the education and nonprofit sectors, providing access to underserved communities. His background in workforce development, recruitment, professional development, and program management has led him to several manager and director positions in New York City, including leading the New York site at America Needs You and, more recently, as the Associate Director of CUNY's Futures in Finance Initiative. Ryan is a proud graduate of Howard University and New York University, where he earned his Communications and Sociology of Education degrees, respectively.
Ryan is also a practicing photographer. His documentary style centers on telling everyday people's stories. If you see Ryan around, he is likely carrying a film camera, capturing the world around him.
"I always approach my work with students by sharing what I wish someone told me when I was their age. It is important to me that students have an expanded understanding of what is available to them out in the world."
JUAN CARLOS SALINAS
PROGRAM Manager, Bloomberg Arts Intern
College PROGRAMS
Sophia Domeville
DIRECTOR OF INTERNSHIPS
Sophia brings several years' experience in program administration, art education, and professional development for students and educators. She holds dual master's degrees in educational leadership focused on education policy and arts education from NYU, where she was a fellow for NYU Social Sector Leadership Diversity Fellowship. In Newark, Sophia designed an immersive arts program centered on the impact of Youth Voice and the Social Justice Movement. Along with her experience in program administration and teaching, her focus is on the importance of art education and its development to increase a sustainable pipeline of access for all students. A Haitian American, Sophia is an Abstract Expressionist and a coffee aficionado who loves to travel.
“I’m passionate about providing diverse college students from regional cities with internship opportunities within the museum field. I find joy developing partnerships with arts institutions and college placement offices to enhance this wonderful program.”
Craig weiner
Program Manager, bloomberg college arts intern
Since moving to NYC in 2005, Craig has dedicated his career to supporting marginalized students and their quest to meet their potential. His experience includes building a community of 5,000 Teach For America alumni in New York City and building postsecondary partnerships to support OneGoal-New York students toward retention and graduation. He has also led a paid internship program at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and served as a consultant for several non-profit and higher education institutions, developing strategic plans for both college and career readiness.
Craig has a B.A. in History and English Literature and an M.A. in Drama from Washington University in St. Louis, as well as an M.F.A. in Dramatic Writing from Carnegie Mellon University. When not working, he can be found in Brooklyn with his two children and two cats, or at a variety of performing arts venues.
“The Bloomberg College Arts Internship program at Studio Institute is an incredible opportunity for me to combine my college and career development experience and my personal arts background to make a transformational impact on students across the country.”
Alyssa Muñoz Associate Manager, bloomberg college arts intern
Alyssa (she/her) has supported diverse education programs through student services, college success program development, grant-funded institutional equity initiatives, and most recently, financial education workshops for underserved communities in New York state. After starting her career in recruitment and operations in tech, she gained a master's degree in student development from Seattle University alongside shifting into community management and program administration in the education sector. Through her work, she applies an equity lens to empower diverse youth and is excited to bring that same passion to Studio Institute. Outside of work, she enjoys watching TV, finding local eats, reading, and writing.
“I am thrilled to be part of the Bloomberg College Arts Internship team, where I can support diverse college students and cultural arts organizations in the development of empowering youth career pathways.”
Adele Stroh
Editorial assistant
EDITORIAL
Adele has taken on several roles during her tenure at Studio in a School and Studio Institute. During the early years, she worked with the Development Department, Marketing and Public Relations, and the President’s office. Prior positions included teaching High School English; serving as Associate and Acting Director of Education at the Whitney Museum of American Art; providing vocational counseling for refugees; and working with unemployed professionals, all of which has provided her with experience and insights that contribute to her editorial expertise in guiding the production of Studio’s arts education program materials. Presently, she is spending time caring for the estate of her late partner, artist Russell Connor, trying to get his work exhibited and sold.
“After 18 years at Studio, I’m still eager to get back to editing much of the digital and print materials that leave our office. I’ve missed the camaraderie and personal interactions of being on-site with my Studio Institute colleagues.”
Jeannie Sharkey
Marketing & Comms
MARKETING
With a background in marketing and communications focused on second language acquisition, education technology, literacy, and visual arts education, Jeannie’s experience includes management positions in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. In her role in Marketing & Communications, she works closely with Studio Institute staff to reach and engage Studio’s key audiences: students, parents, teachers, school and community leaders, and cultural partners; and highlight the accomplishments of the remarkable young people participating in Studio programs from Early Childhood to college. Outside of work, Jeannie enjoys hiking in the mountains, studying Italian and ancient Roman history, advancing her culinary expertise, and getting dirty in her perennial garden.
“Working at Studio Institute makes it possible for me to experience art on multiple levels every day—whether it’s talking to students about their art, discovering the work of new artists, or learning about the latest ‘must-see’ museum installations from colleagues.”
richard teller
Development manager
DEVELOPMENT
Richard began his career in film and television production in New York “back when cable was being born.” He then went to work for The American Film Institute and then the National Endowment for the Arts, where he began to work in the nexus between the nonprofit sector and philanthropy. He has been fundraising ever since, working in the areas of social justice, HIV/AIDS, eldercare, and international development. Now based northeast of Boston and working remotely, he's finding walks by the ocean with his dogs a newfound source of joy.
“What a thrill it is to be working in the arts again with ‘the house that Aggie built.’ Studio is an organization I’ve admired since I first came to New York in 1980, and it’s a privilege to be part of the team seeking support for its work in so many other cities.”