ARCK TEAM

Sara Mraish Demeter

Sara Mraish Demeter is an artist, educator, mother of three, and founder and executive director of Art Resource Collaborative for Kids, a nonprofit delivering creative programs with social justice themes in Boston Public Schools since 2012. As an immigrant herself who has lived the experience of being a new arrival, she works to promote cross-cultural inclusion and understanding among Boston’s children. She is passionate about using art as a vehicle to reimagine education and unlock each child’s full potential. With ARCK, she has forged many partnerships with schools, businesses, institutions, and artists to bring youth voices to the wider community through projects such as “I Am, We Are,” a collaborative public art mural, and “Walls that Speak,” a showcase of immigrant students’ stories. Internationally, during the summers of 2013-14, she led art workshops for Syrian refugee children in Jordan. Sara was named a 2016 EXTRAOrdinary Woman of Boston by Mayor Walsh’s Office of Women’s Advancement and selected for the Power Launch inaugural Social Change Fellows cohort. She is an active member of the Beacon Hill Circle for Charity, which supports Boston children and women, and a former board member at the Center for Arabic Culture. She holds a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in French and completed the Nonprofit Management and Leadership program at Boston University.

Audra Keefe

Interim Executive Director
audra@arckboston.org

Audra is an accomplished artist, maker, and education specialist whose career is deeply rooted in creative innovation and youth empowerment. She holds a BA in Studio Art from the University of Vermont and a graduate certificate in Design Communication Arts from UCLA. With extensive experience in the arts and youth development sectors, Audra has co-founded the award-winning graphic design firm Orange Bike Design and served as a Creative Director for youth-centered makerspace initiatives, where she developed a multifaceted skill set in organizational leadership, client and partnership development, strategic program design, and culture building. As a commercial artist, Audra’s portfolio includes collaborations with prestigious clients such as The Recording Academy, the Latin Grammy Awards, Toyota, and City of Hope. In her current role as Interim Executive Director at ARCK, she is excited to drive the organization’s strategic vision and, most importantly, connect with young people and the community through the power of creativity. Outside of her professional pursuits, Audra is an avid painter and enjoys quality time with her husband, son, and their beloved golden retriever.

Misha Burleson

Director of Operations
misha@arckboston.org

Misha is an accomplished nonprofit professional, photographic artist, and youth advocate. She comes to ARCK with over 8 years of nonprofit experience working within the Boys & Girls Club movement at all levels. Her most recent experience was as a Special Events Manager for Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lowell. Other notable positions include a Safety Analyst of the Northeast Region for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Director of Operations for the Permian Basin region clubs in Texas, and Interim CEO for Boys and Girls Clubs of the Permian Basin. In these roles, Misha wore many hats, supporting the organizations and creating positive change for the youth in those communities. She holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Master’s in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas Tech University with a concentration in Business, Financial Planning, & Nonprofit Sector Administration. Misha also has a deep passion for the arts. She studied Art Photography at Texas Tech University, and has explored a multitude of art forms since childhood. In her free time, Misha enjoys reading, landscape and nature photography, hiking, and traveling the world. She has visited 7 countries, 14 state parks, and 21 national parks, forests, and monuments, capturing the beauty of the world through her lens along the way.

Jenny Lecoq

Director of Development
jenny@arckboston.org

Jenny is an accomplished non-profit development professional, passionate community volunteer, and devoted mother of two. With a commitment to empowering small and mid-size mission-driven organizations to build sustainable revenue streams, she is excited to join ARCK, where innovative teaching methods and a deep commitment to accessibility empower students through the arts, fostering growth and success. Jenny has worked in development at other Boston-area organizations including the Friday Night Supper Program, a meal service program for individuals experiencing homelessness, and the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras, where she focused on Foundation and Corporate Relations. Jenny has also been an active board member of the Stoneham Community Development Corporation since 2018 and is the founder of Keep Stoneham Beautiful. Jenny holds a B.A. in Biology and a Masters Certificate in Nonprofit Fundraising Management from Boston University. She resides in Stoneham, MA, with her husband and two daughters. In her spare time, she loves making messy art projects with her kids, traveling, trail running, and spending time with family and friends.

Rachael Chapin Longo

Director of Programs
rachael@arckboston.org

Rachael Chapin Longo is a theater maker, educator playwright and arts advocate. She received her BS in Theater from Skidmore College and her MA in Educational Theatre from NYU. Rachael grew up in rural Vermont before studying in upstate New York and then heading to New York City to pursue acting and her master’s degree. Throughout her career, Rachael has dedicated herself to educational theatre and advocating for the arts in educational and community settings. She has worked as a professional teaching artist and education director for several organizations, creating curriculum and teaching classes in acting, directing, playwriting and movement. Rachael returned to New England in 2012 with her husband and two children and since then has taught theater courses and directed student productions with schools, community theater companies and at the college level. She has been a dedicated company member and actor with theatre KAPOW, a NH based contemporary theater company that produces the best dramatic works from across ages and cultures, bringing timely productions to the stage to promote thought, change and healing. Most recently, Rachael became a council member of the Andover Cultural Council which is responsible for awarding grant money to local artists. As a resident of the North Shore of Boston, she loves being surrounded by nature, writing, reading, cheering on her kids in all their endeavors (especially hockey games), snuggles with their sweet pets and spending time with her extended family and friends.

Sakshi Doshi

Creative Catalyst Educator
sakshi@arckboston.org

Sakshi Doshi is a Boston-based visual artist who holds an MFA from Boston University. Her artistic passions encompass painting, printmaking, and photography. Recently, she participated in a group show held in Manhattan, New York, and Boston. Her painting and printmaking works have been showcased on various online platforms and virtual exhibitions. Sakshi finds joy in discovering intriguing shapes formed by light and shadow during her walking explorations. In her leisure hours, she indulges in photo walks and museum visits, immersing herself in the city's artistic ambiance. Sakshi has a deep love for teaching and enjoys learning from kids. She finds immense fulfillment in sharing her passion for art with young minds and cherishes the opportunity to foster creativity and inspiration in them.

Indya Donovan-Pinot

Creative Catalyst Educator
Indya@arckboston.org

Indya is a museum and media arts educator who aims to keep joy and exploration at the center of her teaching. She received a B.S. in Cognitive Science and B.A. in Education & Social Transformation at UCLA, and spent her Harvard M.Ed. program in Human Development exploring ways in which students can unlock their creative potentials and build their confidence in both the classroom and museum gallery. Indya re-ignited her childhood passion for the arts after she learned that making art doesn't have to be about being the best, but about being yourself. She enjoys photography, informational graphic design, and just learning about what art means to the audiences she works with. Indya is looking forward to being a fellow joyful, curious, and enthusiastic explorer of the arts in her visits with students.

Pamela Maiato

Marketing & Communications Manager
pamela@arckboston.org

Pamela is a graphic designer with over a decade of experience. Combining strategic thinking with a collaborative spirit, she creates impactful visual narratives and branding solutions across print and digital platforms specializing in nonprofit organizations. From an early age, her love of drawing ignited a creative passion that would shape her professional journey. This enthusiasm led her to pursue an illustration major at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, where she developed foundational artistic skills. After earning a BFA, she pivoted into graphic design, collaborating with organizations from publication and finance to corporate retail, insurance, and biomedical sectors. Driven by a passion for graphic design, Pamela returned to Massachusetts College of Art and Design to earn a Certificate in Communication Design in 2021. This program was transformative, allowing her to refine skills in design thinking, typography, layout, UI/UX, and branding. Beyond her professional life, Pamela is a dedicated creative spirit. She regularly explores art museums and attends design events, maintaining a connection to the visual arts landscape. Her commitment to personal wellness is evident in her daily meditation practice and passion for fitness, while her feline companion, Spike, provides inspiration and support during all her creative challenges.

Heyssis Castillo

Social Media & Marketing Coordinator
heyssis@arckboston.org

Heyssis Castillo is a dynamic multi-genre singer/songwriter whose artistry seamlessly weaves together the rich textures of R&B, neo-soul, and house music. With a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Trinity College, Heyssis brings a thoughtful and culturally informed perspective to her music, exploring themes of identity, empowerment. As a passionate advocate for creativity, Heyssis has transformed her love for music into a thriving personal brand, becoming a social media guru in the process. This journey has not only amplified her voice but has also allowed her to support multiple nonprofit organizations in the city, where she leverages her platform to uplift and empower her community. Heyssis’ music has taken her far, with memorable performances on prestigious stages like Big Night Live and City Winery Boston. She has also had the privilege of collaborating with well-known brands such as Sam Adams and SILK RnB, and in September of 2024, participated in an invite-only music retreat hosted by DJ Jazzy Jeff and his family, further solidifying her place in the music industry. Beyond the stage, Heyssis is committed to using her artistic expression as a vehicle for social change. She believes in the transformative power of creativity to inspire action and foster understanding, and she is dedicated to instilling these values during her time at ARCK. Through mentorship and community engagement, Heyssis hopes to encourage others to harness their creativity as a force for good. With an unwavering commitment to her craft and a deep desire to impact the world positively, Heyssis is excited to continue her journey of artistic exploration and social advocacy.