Meet The Board

Alissa Zarro, Executive Director, has a background in publishing and management consulting with a focus on project management and process improvement. She is SAFe and PSM I certified, with a masters in organizational communication. She has been a man

Alissa Zarro, Executive Director, has a background in publishing and management consulting with a focus on project management and process improvement. She is SAFe and PSM I certified, with a masters in organizational communication. She has been a managing editor, production editor, and production manager, and has also been an intern department manager. She has experience in editorial content management across various stages and workflows including newspaper, scholarly books, and magazines, with technical expertise in copy editing; print and digital media layout and design; typesetting; and printing and manufacturing. While in management consulting, she gained wide-ranging insights working on projects across different departments including marketing and C-suites, and industries including pharma, CPG, and trade associations. She enjoys snowboarding, hiking, the arts, and anything pertaining to food.

Tobi Santagado is the CEO of Mignolo Arts Center, a vibrant space that supports artists across various mediums. Inspired by raising two artistic daughters, she understands the passion that drives creators. As CEO, she manages everything from co-produ

Tobi Santagado is the CEO of Mignolo Arts Center, a vibrant space that supports artists across various mediums. Inspired by raising two artistic daughters, she understands the passion that drives creators. As CEO, she manages everything from co-productions to rentals, fostering an environment where artists can thrive and produce work they’re proud of. Tobi finds fulfillment in hearing how the center has positively impacted artists’ careers, especially during challenging times. Looking ahead, she is committed to expanding the center's support for artists and continuing to make a meaningful difference as Mignolo Arts Center enters its second decade.

Robert Santagado, CFO, is a highly accomplished accountant with over 25 years of experience. He has been on both sides of the private/public sector and served 17 years as Chief Accounting Officer for the premier factoring/asset-based lending organiza

Robert Santagado, CFO, is a highly accomplished accountant with over 25 years of experience. He has been on both sides of the private/public sector and served 17 years as Chief Accounting Officer for the premier factoring/asset-based lending organizations in the industry. His passion for efficiency and execution helps to streamline accounting processes and deliver unparalleled execution of service, while maintaining a presence in the Corporate and Individual Tax world. He is licensed in NJ, FL and VA and is prepared to serve clients in all 50 states.

Karolina Holmstrom, from Mount Tabor, NJ, is a dancer and educator in central NJ. She holds an EdM in dance education from Rutgers, Graduate School of Education, and a BFA in dance from Mason Gross School of the Arts. Karolina is a board member for M

Karolina Holmstrom, from Mount Tabor, NJ, is a dancer and educator in central NJ. She holds an EdM in dance education from Rutgers, Graduate School of Education, and a BFA in dance from Mason Gross School of the Arts. Karolina is a board member for Mignolo Arts previously serving as Executive Director. As the dance educator at Woodbridge High School, she teaches contemporary, ballet, jazz, composition, improvisation, and yoga for all abilities and is the Assistant Band Director, Winter Colorguard Director, and drama club choreographer. Karolina received her 200HR Vinyasa yoga teaching certificate in 2016 through Om Factory. She has worked with choreographers including Charly & Eriel Santagado, Nathan Forster, Ani Javian, Pam Tanowitz, Blair Ritchie, Netta Yerushalmy, and Cleo Mack.

Linda Vonderschmidt-LaStella is a Metuchen artist whose primary work is ceramic wall sculptures. In addition to exhibiting widely, she has murals permanently installed in public, educational and corporate spaces, such as: The Avila Center for Communi

Linda Vonderschmidt-LaStella is a Metuchen artist whose primary work is ceramic wall sculptures. In addition to exhibiting widely, she has murals permanently installed in public, educational and corporate spaces, such as: The Avila Center for Community Leadership, Durham, NC, Salesian Retreat Center, Childs, MD, Neumann University, Aston, PA, Capital Health Medical Center, Hopewell, NJ, as well as private residences. What’s more, Linda is known for bringing communities together around the arts, having completed several large, outdoor installations that incorporate tiles sculpted by hundreds of locals. In 2023, she was named a Fellowship Finalist by the NJ State Council on the Arts for her work in ceramics.

Luke is a New Jersey-based Stage Director and Teaching Artist and the proud Owner and Artistic Director of Ferrell Studios! Some credits include Puffs (Director), Songs for a New World (Director), The Last Five Years (Director), Into the Woods (Music

Luke is a New Jersey-based Stage Director and Teaching Artist and the proud Owner and Artistic Director of Ferrell Studios! Some credits include Puffs (Director), Songs for a New World (Director), The Last Five Years (Director), Into the Woods (Music Director), Alice in Wonderland (Co-Director), Ideation (Co-Director), Spring Awakening (Music Director), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Director), Sweet Charity (Director). He is a Teaching Artist with Fresh Theatre Arts, where he is the Fall Drama Director and Spring Musical Technical Director for Highland Park High School. He is also the Technical Director at Henry Hudson Regional School and an Acting Instructor for the Middletown Arts Center, NJ Teen Arts, and the West Windsor Arts Council.

Ishita Mili is a Bengali American director and choreographer based in New Jersey. She won various awards throughout her childhood as a bharatanatyam soloist. After becoming established in Indian dance forms, she broke out of the boundaries of traditi

Ishita Mili is a Bengali American director and choreographer based in New Jersey. She won various awards throughout her childhood as a bharatanatyam soloist. After becoming established in Indian dance forms, she broke out of the boundaries of traditional dance and auditioned for UFP Hip Hop Dance Co., performing and choreographing with them from ‘14-’18. She was awarded the Folk Arts Apprenticeship grant in ‘21 from the NJ State Council of the Arts to study Mayurbhanj chhau under Sri Rakesh Sai Babu, world-renowned performer and descendent from a royal lineage of chhau practitioners. After extensively studying a variety of dance styles, Ishita ventured into creating and directing as a holistic multidisciplinary artist. In 2017, Ishita founded IMGE Dance LLC as a performance company based in dance, film, and music that uses mixed cultural roots to share global stories with artists of diverse backgrounds.

Brian Curry is an interdisciplinary artist, co-founder of alt/folk band Cold Weather Company, owner of multimedia company Haven & Hazard, and media manager for Bountiful Gardens, a local nursery and greenhouse. Working closely with mignolo since 2019

Brian Curry is an interdisciplinary artist, co-founder of alt/folk band Cold Weather Company, owner of multimedia company Haven & Hazard, and media manager for Bountiful Gardens, a local nursery and greenhouse. Working closely with mignolo since 2019, he’s helped bring life to “DeEschatology,” “Arcadia,” “Self Help,” “Mise en abyme,” “Soldier Island,” “Conjoined” and more. He’s the most upbeat guy anyone has ever met!