Staff

MELISSA (She/her)

Executive Director: Melissa Paolercio joined our staff as Executive Director in June 2019. She has been managing non-profit arts organizations for over 10 years and is excited to join the CCArts team. Melissa is a passionate theater artist who holds a B.F.A. in Acting from Arcadia University and a M.F.A. in Theater Management from Yale School of Drama. Professionally she has managed non-profit regional theaters in Bristol, Philadelphia, Ambler, and Wilmington. You can email Melissa at: MPaolercio@ccarts.org

Board of Directors

RALPH

President, Board of Directors: Ralph Kuebler is our longest-serving Board member, having joined in 1997. With 30 years of banking experience, he is retired from MBNA America Bank where he was an Executive Vice President. Today he serves on numerous boards including Public Allies of Delaware, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and The Conference Board Business and Education Council. He has also served on advisory panels for the University of Delaware Academy for Nonprofit Leadership, Delaware Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education, and the Business/Education Partnership for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce. He is the past chairman of the Superstars in Education Selection Committee, has served for four years as a judge for the State of Delaware Higher Education Commission - Merit Scholarship Program, and has been a grant review panelist of the Delaware State Arts Councils. Ralph has two daughters Karen and Susan and two grandchildren. In his spare time, Ralph enjoys traveling and spending time with his family. You can email Ralph at: ralphkuebler@aol.com

KARI

Vice President, Board of Directors: Kari Getchonis is the senior gardener at Longwood Gardens and is also an experienced ceramic artist. Kari supports the ceramic studio with maintenance support, new glaze mixing, pottery sales, and odd repairs. She also lends her expertise to the grounds and helps with yard clean-up and pruning.

NOREEN

Treasurer, Board of Directors: Noreen Campbell joined the CCArts board in 2018. She is retired from Nemours/A.I. duPont as an Operations Manager. She also serves as a Teacher/Naturalist for the Delaware Nature Society.

SUSAN

Secretary, Board of Directors: Susan Lipscy has supported CCArts since 1984 when her oldest child first took clay classes. She herself has dabbled in stained glass and even ballroom dance.  A reference librarian at the Newark Free Library, Susan has volunteered on the Board since 2007.

MANISHA

Member, Board of Directors: Manisha Antani has been involved with CCArts since 2014 as a ceramic student.  She primarily sculpts and carves. To pay the bills, she is currently employed as a risk analyst at Wells Fargo. When she's not at work or the art center, she can most often be found outside hiking, kayaking, camping, or attending music festivals with her young son.

NEVILA

Member, Board of Directors: Nevila Kote Nace, PHD

ISRAEL

Member, Board of Directors: Israel Miguel Olvera

JUNAID

Member, Board of Directors: Junaid Butt