Staff Members

Neil Kirschling LinkedIn

Neil Kirschling

Executive Director

In his role of Executive Director, Neil oversees all aspects of managing the statewide nonprofit organization and developing sectorwide strategies to advance arts and culture.

Neil joins DAA from Rodel, a nonprofit that partners with Delawareans to transform public education in the First State. His responsibilities included strategic planning, policy development, coalition management, program management, and local and national stakeholder engagement. Neil previously served as a legislative fellow in the General Assembly, conducted research for the Institute for Public Administration, and participated in the Delaware Department of Education’s “Future Education Policy Leaders” program. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy and Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Delaware.

A patron and participant in the arts, Neil volunteers and performs with various local theaters, and supports arts and cultural organizations throughout the state. Neil received a gubernatorial appointment to the Delaware Hispanic Commission, where he leads education and advocacy efforts in support of Hispanic youth and English learner students. He also serves as an advisor for the Delaware Community Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy board.

Jordan Resh LinkedIn

Jordan Resh

Engagement and Operations Coordinator

Jordan is a native of Dover, Delaware, and graduate of Dover High School. Jordan continued her education at Brandeis University where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Health Policy, Peace, and Social Justice. Jordan then returned to Delaware and began her professional career with the Downtown Dover Partnership, working to help advance community redevelopment projects and revitalize the district, with a focus in the arts and implementing creative placemaking strategies. During this time, Jordan became an active member of the Dover Art League, starting as a student and progressing to join their Board of Directors. Jordan is also a graduate of Leadership Central Delaware, a Certified Tourism Ambassador through Kent County Tourism, and NASCAR staff for Dover Motor Speedway.

Jordan is passionate about advocating on behalf of her community to improve quality of life, increase access to creative spaces, and promote arts opportunities that are welcoming to everyone. Jordan is a lifelong art lover, performing in Dover High School’s Marching Band and attending various arts and cultural events throughout the state. Jordan can now be found expressing herself creatively by experiencing local venues, crafting with friends, or working on her latest stained-glass project.

Genesis Lopez

Communications Intern

Genesis is the Communications Intern at the Delaware Arts Alliance and a Communications student at Delaware Technical Community College. Growing up in Philadelphia, Genesis currently resides in Newark and attends classes in Georgetown. 

 With a background in dance and a genuine love for the arts, she brings creativity, enthusiasm, and a positive spirit to everything she does. She has many years of dance training under her belt that has taught her discipline, teamwork, and the importance of self-expression. Performing and collaborating with others helped her grow not only as an individual, but also as a communicator and teammate. Genesis looks forward to contributing these skills to the DAA team! 

 Complimenting her school and art experience, Genesis is passionate about learning, growing, and helping others feel connected to the arts. She is excited to gain hands-on experience, strengthen her communication skills, and support programs that make the arts welcoming and accessible to all communities. She is committed to creativity, excellence, and using her voice to advocate for the arts. 

 At the Delaware Arts Alliance, she assists with content creation, and soon to be projects, where she contributes thoughtful ideas, and a strong work ethic. Through her internship, she hopes to make a positive impact, build meaningful connections, and continue growing both personally and professionally.  

Linkedin

Neil Kirschling

Executive Director

In his role of Executive Director, Neil oversees all aspects of managing the statewide nonprofit organization and developing sectorwide strategies to advance arts and culture.

Neil joins DAA from Rodel, a nonprofit that partners with Delawareans to transform public education in the First State. His responsibilities included strategic planning, policy development, coalition management, program management, and local and national stakeholder engagement. Neil previously served as a legislative fellow in the General Assembly, conducted research for the Institute for Public Administration, and participated in the Delaware Department of Education’s “Future Education Policy Leaders” program. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy and Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Delaware.

A patron and participant in the arts, Neil volunteers and performs with various local theaters, and supports arts and cultural organizations throughout the state. Neil received a gubernatorial appointment to the Delaware Hispanic Commission, where he leads education and advocacy efforts in support of Hispanic youth and English learner students. He also serves as an advisor for the Delaware Community Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy board.

Linkedin

Jordan Resh

Engagement and Operations Coordinator

Jordan is a native of Dover, Delaware, and graduate of Dover High School. Jordan continued her education at Brandeis University where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Health Policy, Peace, and Social Justice. Jordan then returned to Delaware and began her professional career with the Downtown Dover Partnership, working to help advance community redevelopment projects and revitalize the district, with a focus in the arts and implementing creative placemaking strategies. During this time, Jordan became an active member of the Dover Art League, starting as a student and progressing to join their Board of Directors. Jordan is also a graduate of Leadership Central Delaware, a Certified Tourism Ambassador through Kent County Tourism, and NASCAR staff for Dover Motor Speedway.

Jordan is passionate about advocating on behalf of her community to improve quality of life, increase access to creative spaces, and promote arts opportunities that are welcoming to everyone. Jordan is a lifelong art lover, performing in Dover High School’s Marching Band and attending various arts and cultural events throughout the state. Jordan can now be found expressing herself creatively by experiencing local venues, crafting with friends, or working on her latest stained-glass project.

Board of Directors

President

Director of Campaign Management in the Institutional Advancement Department of Nemours Children’s Hospital

Suzanne Burton

Vice President

Professor of Music Education, and Director for the UD Partnership for Arts & Culture |  University of Delaware

Chief Executive Office of Delaware Symphony Orchestra

Debora Hansen

Secretary

Education Associate for Visual & Performing Arts  |  Retired

Governance Committee Chair

Executive Director | Southern Delaware Tourism

Founder & Chief Creative Curator at Blondie Mansion

Artistic Director of Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education (DiAE)

Senior Vice President, Chief People Officer | Beebe Healthcare

Trauma Academy Coordinator for Delaware State University

Founder & Creative Director at Unified Creative Exchange

Business Policy Manager and Main Streets Program Coordinator | Delaware Division of Small Business

Marketing and Communications Manager for Kent County Tourism

Managing Director at New Light Theatre and Senior Vice President at Bank of America

Executive Director of the Biggs Museum of American Art

Development Director of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation

Co-Owner of Painted Stave Distilling and Taco Jardin

Committee Members

  • Members in bold also serve on the DAA Board of Directors.

Finance Committee

  • Chair: JC Barker, DAA Board Treasurer, CEO of Delaware Symphony Orchestra
  • Matt Silva, Director of Campaign Management in the Institutional Advancement Department of Nemours Children’s Hospital
  • Tom Mucchetti, Managing Director, New Light Theatre; Senior Vice President at Bank of America; Practicing Performing Artist
  • Alfred Lance, Deputy Treasurer, City of Wilmington; Practicing Performing Artist

Governance Committee

  • Chair: Scott Thomas, Executive Director, Southern Delaware Tourism
  • Debora Hansen, Education Associate for Visual and Performing Arts, Retired Educator
  • Ashley Foster, Senior Vice President and Chief People Office, Beebe Healthcare
  • Anastasia Jackson, Kent County Regional Business Manager and Main Street Program Coordinator, Delaware Division of Small Business
  • Mariah Ghant, Producing Artistic Director at Delaware Shakespeare

Membership Committee

  • Sara Crawford, Founder & Chief Creative Officer of Blondie Mansion​
  • Kim Graham, Trauma Academy Coordinator, Delaware State University
  • Catherine Jenkins, Marketing Director, Kent County Tourism​
  • Mary Jane Vanvestraunt, Director of Community & Operations Music School of DE​
  • Vanesa Simon, Owner of Mariposa Arts

Policy & Advocacy Committee

  • Chair: Suzanne Burton, DAA Vice President, Professor of Music Education, and Director for the UD Partnership for Arts & Culture
  • Ashley SK Davis, Artistic Director of Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education (DiAE)
  • Hassan Najjar, Biggs Museum of Art
  • Jennifer Boland, Arts Educator, Campus Community School
  • Lauren Conrad, Delaware Department of Education (DDOE)
  • Zack Jackson, Chapel Street Players
  • Lianna Magerr, Wilmington’s Children’s Chorus
  • A. T. Moffett, Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education (DiAE)
  • Kerriann Otaño, Opera Delaware
  • Anna Ramone, Delaware Music Educators Association (DMEA)
  • Vanessa Simon, Mariposa Arts
  • Courtney Clarke, Drama Kids
  • Irina Turner, Arts by Angelova
  • Mary Jane Vanvestraunt, Director of Community & Operations, Music School of Delaware​