Who We Are
ABOUT US
The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut Is the heart of the region’s creativity to help communities connect and thrive. We are a 501C-3 and regional service organization serving 10-towns in the Greater Danbury area. Our aspiration is to improve access and growth of arts and culture to improve quality of life and the economy.
ABOUT US
Meet our staff and team of volunteers
whose work allows us to advance our vision and to stay relevant and active participants in the faceted conversation that is the arts, history, and culture.
OUR STAFF & TEAM
Lisa Scails
Executive Director
Lisa joined the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut in 2007 with a background in civil rights, social service, and small business entrepreneur. She immediately developed a model of services for the Cultural Alliance that is still relevant today; making art more accessible, providing resources to support professional and organizational growth, and creating opportunities for people to connect. Lisa serves on the Private Sector Network Council for American for the Arts, and enjoys music and dance.
Antonia (Tonia) Schachter
Digital Marketing Strategist
Tonia’s strong writing skills is what brought her to us, but social media is what she handles mostly. And she is Lisa’s right hand. 😉
Roxanne Baldwin
Office Assistant -Volunteer
Roxy is a visual artist and a volunteer with us for almost two years. She takes care of all the important things in the office, data entry, and helps out with our members. She is dedicated and an important part of our team.BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our Board of Directors are our behind-the-scene Gurus. They lend their expertise, participate in committees, represent us at functions, and actively fundraise, all the while working tirelessly to adopt sound, ethical governance.
Lew Wallace
Chair, Board of Director
Lew is the founder of the Cultural Alliance and It was his brain child that began our story and lead us here today. Lew is the Director with CommonFund, an investment management firm in Wilton.
Andrea Gartner
Vice Chair, Board of Director
Andrea is the owner of Pour Me Cafe, Danbury. She is passionate about revitalizing Danbury’s urban core to create a cultural, artistic, and prosperous place.
Dr. Phil Segan
Secretary, Board of Director
Phil is an experienced grants specialist and data researcher. An arts collector and music lover. He is also serves on the Board with the Danbury Concert Association.
Jennifer Castagna
Treasurer, Board of Director
Jennifer is Assistant Vice President for People’s United Bank. She Co-Chairs our signature event -the Business Supports the Arts Awards breakfast.
Hal Kurfehs
Board of Director
Hal is our economic development expert and always ready on the subject. A former Advertising professional, Hal is the Vice President of Coldwell Banker Commercial.
Dawn Kaam
Board of Director
Dawn is a real estate agent but dance and horticulture, especially orchids 😉 are her creative passions. She helps with outreach. Dawn is a Realtor for William Pitt Sotheby’s.
Nicole Almeida
Board of Director
Dancer and former owner of Arthur Murray’s Dance Studio. Nicole assists with her creative ideas and event planning. She is Co-Chair of the Business Supports the Arts Awards breakfast.
Robert Crawford
Board of Director
Bob helps with outreach and event planning. A professional artist, you will find his paintings on the cover of major magazines such as Fortune, Business Week, and others!
Paul Steinmetz
Board of Director
Paul is the Director of Community Relations and Public Affairs with Western Connecticut State University. He is our liasion with WCSU and helps us with grants, events, and PR for the Alliance.
Bob Keller
Board of Director
Senior Account Manager for Townsquare Media. Bob helps with fundraising, cultivating donors, and public relations. Bob is helpful with just about anything we need.
We are supported by public funding, corporate and private contributions, and by our members.
We Thank Our Contributors
GIVING HELPS OUR MISSION
Major Supporters
Art Angels
Andrea Gartner
Neil and Lisi Marcus
Lew and Rosemarie Wallace
Neil and Lisi Marcus
Lew and Rosemarie Wallace
Influencers
Steve and Lauren Greenberg
Breakfast Supporters
Allison Stockel
Appraisal Alliance
Arthur Murray
Bob Keller
Brookfield Craft Center
Business and Industry Foundation
Byrd’s Books
Charles Ives Authority for the Performing Arts
Chris Plaisted design, LLC
City of Danbury
CT Dream Team
Coltt, Inc.
Dawn Kaam
Danbury Fair
Appraisal Alliance
Arthur Murray
Bob Keller
Brookfield Craft Center
Business and Industry Foundation
Byrd’s Books
Charles Ives Authority for the Performing Arts
Chris Plaisted design, LLC
City of Danbury
CT Dream Team
Coltt, Inc.
Dawn Kaam
Danbury Fair
Dental Associates
Greystar
Hal Kurfehs
Hancock Hall
Housatonic Valley Waldorf School
Ival Stratford-Kovner
Leahy’s Fuel, Inc
Lew Wallace
Maron Hotel
Mary Rindfleisch
Matt Knickerbocker
Mothership Bakery
People’s United Bank
Phillip E. Segan
Greystar
Hal Kurfehs
Hancock Hall
Housatonic Valley Waldorf School
Ival Stratford-Kovner
Leahy’s Fuel, Inc
Lew Wallace
Maron Hotel
Mary Rindfleisch
Matt Knickerbocker
Mothership Bakery
People’s United Bank
Phillip E. Segan
Pour Me Café
Ridgefield Playhouse
Ridgefield Theatre Barn
Rist Innovations, Inc.
Ryer Associates, Inc.
Savings Bank of Danbury
Seventy2 Architects
Sikorsky Financial Credit Union
Sophie M&N Inc. Events
Townsquare Media
Union Savings Bank
Western Connecticut State University
Whip Salon
Ying Wah Laundry & Dry Cleaner
Ridgefield Playhouse
Ridgefield Theatre Barn
Rist Innovations, Inc.
Ryer Associates, Inc.
Savings Bank of Danbury
Seventy2 Architects
Sikorsky Financial Credit Union
Sophie M&N Inc. Events
Townsquare Media
Union Savings Bank
Western Connecticut State University
Whip Salon
Ying Wah Laundry & Dry Cleaner