Warm Welcomes & Fond Farewells: WAA Board Rotation
Thank You to Our New & Departing Board Members
It’s board rotation time!
Congratulations and a warm WAA welcome to our new and incumbent board members, elected by a vote of our membership and confirmed at the Annual Membership Meeting in Seattle earlier this month.
Rob Tocalino (Director of Marketing at Mondavi Center, UC Davis) will serve as WAA’s new Secretary/Treasurer: a two-year term ending in 2025.
Incumbent board member, Courtney Ozaki (Founder of Japanese Arts Network - JA-NE), returns for a three-year term, ending in 2026.
Anna Cross (Cultural Arts Manager, Grand Theatre Center for the Performing Arts, City of Tracy) and Rafael Gonzalez (President & CEO, Grand Performances) join us as new board members for a three-year term and a partial term ending in 2026 and 2025, respectively.
We look forward to working with these inspiring and dedicated leaders as we continue to collectively advance our mission and serve our membership and the field.
Rob Toccalino
Courtney Ozaki; image credit: Bruce Tetsuya
Anna Cross
Rafael Gonzalez
We also bid a fond farewell to three incredible and dedicated outgoing board members: Dani Fecko (Founder & President, Fascinator Management); David Mack (Founder/SEO, ArtistMagnet); and Cathy Weiss (Executive Director, Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts).
Dani recently stepped down as Vice President of the board, having taken on a new position with the Western Region of the Department of Canadian Heritage. “WAA has been an integral part of my life, work and growth over the last eight years, and it has been my privilege to serve on the board for the last seven. Stepping down was not an easy decision, nor was it one that I made lightly or without much consideration and heartache,” shared Dani. “I look forward to staying in touch with you all, and watching WAA grow and flourish as it continues into its new chapter.”
“It’s been a joy and an honor to work with Dani, who has contributed so much during her time at WAA. She chaired numerous committees as part of her board service, including the Mentoring and Conference Committees, and was so generous with her time and expertise. A skilled moderator, she masterfully led colleagues through engaging and thought-provoking discussions, always mindful of making space for all voices and perspectives. Her work and energy will be missed.”
— Immediate Past President Joe McIalwain, Membership Meeting
Dani is succeeded as Vice President by Joseph Copley-Venuto Díaz (Associate Director of Artistic Planning, ODC/Dance.)
David Mack completes his term as a Board Director, having served since 2021.
“I want to acknowledge David’s extremely thoughtful engagement with the board — we’ll miss you terribly and we are so grateful for the perspective you have brought to the table. I want to especially thank you for your partnership with Joseph [Copley Venturo-Diaz] in creating QWAA — what an important addition to the community and such a critical component of our culture and work with WAA.”
— Immediate Past President Joe McIalwain, Membership Meeting
Cathy Weiss, who has served on the board since 2017, completes her term as Secretary/Treasurer.
“Cathy is our resident financial genius – and an amazing friend, mentor, and leader. Cathy, you have done so much for WAA including navigating negotiations with the San Diego conference hotel during the early stages of the pandemic and your support throughout the leadership transition, particularly your continued mentorship and engagement with onboarding Josh to the financials of the organization. Cathy, I can’t thank you enough for the guidance you have provided. Your partnership has helped us get through to this moment. I appreciate everything you have done.
— Immediate Past President Joe McIalwain, Membership Meeting
Dani Fecko
David Mack
Cathy Weiss
Board rotations take place each year, and our members play an essential part in the process — from nominating candidates, to approving the slate. Thank you to our members for your participation.
You can learn more about our board members here.
Look out for our Annual Report summarizing the membership meeting later this year.