Board of Directors
Rachel Belash, Chair, has been a college teacher (Latin American literature), a bank vice-president (First National Bank of Boston), a school head (Miss Porter's School, Farmington, CT and Branksome Hall, Toronto), and a search consultant (Carney, Sandoe & Assoc., Boston).
David Willsey, Vice-Chair, lives in Pagosa Springs, CO and travels throughout the U.S. as a software consultant for IBM. Dave was one of the first persons to join the Board as it expanded beyond its founding membership.
Sue Lucksted, Secretary, taught art in the Miami public schools, to the elderly and developmentally disabled in Dade County, Florida, and at Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM, and has worked in the New Mexico Artist in Residence program.
Lawrence Tharp, Executive Director and Treasurer, has served as an Air Force officer in France and Germany and in the U.S. diplomatic corps in India and Vietnam. He received a Ph.D. in economics from Columbia University, NY, and has retired from teaching at the United World College, NM.
Rebecca A. Best received her M.F.A. from North Texas University. After teaching for 14 years, she now exhibits her art nationally and internationally through the U.S. Department of State's Art in Embassies Program. Rebecca is on the board and is secretary of the Santa Fe Book Arts Group.
Stephen Gaber received his M.B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley. He was co-founder and CEO of the Investment Counseling Division of Mesirow Financial Services in Chicago. He is treasurer of the Santa Fe Community Foundation and is on the board of the Santa Fe Forum.
Elizabeth Johnson worked for Nabisco Foods, with Cornerstones Community Partnerships in Santa Fe, NM as Development Director and Executive Director, and with the United World College as Associate Development Director and then Interim Director. She now has a private consulting practice.
Sara Beth Koplik received her Ph.D. from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. She worked as a fiscal analyst for the N.M. State Legislature and as a researcher at New Mexico Voices for Children. Sara is education coordinator for Congregation Albert in Albuquerque, NM.
Baro Shalizi, born in India, has lived in Pakistan, Afghanistan and the former Soviet Union. He was Director for Development of the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival and the Native American Prep School, and Exec. Director of Leadership Santa Fe. Baro was Santa Fe Realtor of the Year in 2005.
Carol H. Warren is a retired accountant/auditor. Since moving to Santa Fe fifteen years ago, she has spent much of her time volunteering at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and has recently been appointed to the Museum of New Mexico Foundation Board of Trustees.
