Staff
Marisa Burman
Ceramics Manager
Pronouns: she/her
Marisa Burman has managed the ceramics studio, and taught classes and workshops at Richmond Art Center since 2014. She loves making and using handmade objects, working with porcelain, and teaching people about all things clay. She is passionate about the power of the material and the process to connect people, inspire beauty, and create positive social change.
marisa@richmondartcenter.org | 510.620.1245
Ilene Conde
Education Director
Pronouns: she/her/they
Ilene is passionate about the empowerment and enrichment of all communities through creative exploration, experience, expression, and education through art. She deeply values the impact of art as a reflection of our culture and the human condition. Ilene is an advocate for the reinterpretation of Art, Artifacts, and Historical Narratives that challenge the status quo within the intersections of our shared histories and cultures. She draws on her background in Art History, Museum Studies, and her unique teaching experience with kilnformed glass and art education.
education@richmondartcenter.org | 510.620.1245
Hazel Estrada
Visitor Services Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her
Hazel is a Richmond native who grew up surrounded by various forms of art, including painting, drawing, surrealism, graffiti, and charcoal art. Her visual arts hobbies include painting, photography, and drawing.
hazel@richmondartcenter.org | 510.620.6772
Monica Morazan
Gallery Assistant
Pronouns: she/her
Monica was born in San Francisco and currently resides in Richmond. She has a love for languages, art, music, and culture. During her free time she enjoys reading, photography, and spending time with her family. She holds a B.A. in Art History from Saint Mary’s College of California. Monica strives to create a safe space for all to learn and appreciate the arts in all of its forms.
monica@richmondartcenter.org
Elaine Moreno-Jolly
Education and Visitor Services Manager
Pronouns: she/her/they/them
Elaine Moreno is a Bay Area born and raised Visual Artist, primarily working with Film and Digital Photography. Elaine’s passion for the arts started at an early age, and brought her to California College of the Arts where she graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Photography and Visual Studies Minor. Elaine aims to give back to her community that helped propel her artistic journey in hopes to inspire and guide others along their artistic paths.
elaine@richmondartcenter.org
José R. Rivera
Executive Director
Pronouns: he/him
José R. Rivera has over 25 years’ experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors in leadership roles spanning the arts, foundation giving, family services, environmental and high-tech industries. For twelve years, he provided instruction to minority individuals transitioning to the role of entrepreneur at various workforce development agencies. As interim CEO and COO of major venture-philanthropy in the Bay Area, José supported founders of emerging companies and mentored first-generation minority university students. He joins Richmond Art Center from Lincoln Families in West Oakland, where he was Director of Administration, Privacy and Compliance. Prior to that, José was Executive Director at Stagebridge in Oakland, the oldest performing arts entity in the nation for older adults. A former professional theater and film producer, screenwriter and classical pianist, José has resided in Albany for three decades. Jose holds a B.S. and M.B.A., both from Northeastern University in Boston, and certificates in Organizational Behavior, Psychology and Music from Harvard University.
jose@richmondartcenter.org | 510.620.6777
Carolyn Rodkin
Chief Financial Officer
Pronouns: she/her
For more than 25 years Carolyn has been in financial management for the software, high-tech, architecture and design industries and then for nonprofits. Perhaps more inspiring is Carolyn’s past life as a ceramic artist. Her work was featured in a two-year traveling exhibition “American Ceramics Now” and some of her pieces are in the George & Dorothy Saxe contemporary crafts collection. When she’s not working, she’s probably gardening or out walking in nature.
carolyn@richmondartcenter.org | 510.620.6775
Annaliese Ruano
Youth Programs Manager
Severo “Petey” Rodriguez
Facilities Coordinator
Pronouns: he/him
Severo is a native of Richmond and a graduate of Richmond High School. Severo loves traveling to his native country, Mexico to learn more about his culture and family. Severo joined the Richmond Art Center team as a volunteer, then soon after, he became an addition to our staff. Severo is very family oriented and enjoys sharing the Richmond Art Center with his family!
Amy Spencer
Community Engagement Director
Pronouns: she/her
Amy Spencer has over fifteen years experience supporting community art at regional art centers, government entities and museums. This includes working as a community arts development coordinator at the Nevada Arts Council; and at Pro Arts in Oakland, where she managed exhibitions, communications and public programs, including East Bay Open Studios. Spencer holds a Master and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne, Australia. A seminal role in her career was working at Injalak Arts—an indigenous enterprise in remote western Arnhem Land—where she experienced firsthand the vital role art can play in a healthy community.
amy@richmondartcenter.org | 510.620.1252
