Becca Cerra – Board Member and Education & Access Coordinator. Becca is a Queer, Physically Disabled, Mentally Ill, Female Artist. Each of these identities has shaped her life, work, and sense of purpose. Since receiving her BFA in Interdisciplinary Art from Maryland Institute College of Art she’s used her art practice to challenge and defy the status quo and support others in their own artistic pursuits. Becca currently works in two realms: conceptual art and functional sculpture. As an East Coast transplant, she’s been fortunate to find a home for herself at CAFAC where she rents studio space to create her own art, teaches blacksmithing and welding classes, consigns in the gallery shop, and serves on the Board of Directors. 

Christopher Harrison – Board Member. Christopher E. Harrison is a fine artist, public artist and graphic designer who is based out of the Twin Cities. He has exhibited his work at art venues locally, nationally and internationally. Originally from Springfield, Ohio, he has BFA from the Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio, and is working on his graduate degree in fine art from the Art Academy University in San Francisco, CA. Christopher is currently an Arts Educator at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. His studio is located in the North Minneapolis neighborhood where he creates paintings, drawings, sculpture and collage.

Susan Haugen – Board Chair. Susan has spent nearly 25 years in the finance industry. She began her career as a CPA at Grant Thornton and then worked in financial management at several national and international corporations. She is currently a Partner and Director of Recruiting at Scouts, a talent firm placing accountants on engaging projects around the Twin Cities. She earned her B.A. from Macalester College and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. She has always been a natural connector, recognizing peoples’ talents and engaging them toward a common goal. She brings a strategic focus to the CAFAC Board and is helping create a framework for sound fiscal practices as the organization grows.

Valerie Hoiness – Board Secretary. Valerie is an attorney in the Twin Cities with a concentration in complex commercial litigation. She volunteers as a citizen lobbyist on behalf of vulnerable Minnesota children in foster care and performs pro bono work for members of the artistic community in the Twin Cities. Her work with CAFAC brings her closer to the artists that make the Twin Cities a beautiful, livable urban destination.

Amanda Kaler – Board Member. Amanda (she/her) is the Development Director at Springboard for the Arts and brings over 16 years experience in development, fundraising, and arts and cultural leadership, including past development and executive roles at Minnesota Center for Book Arts and Open Book. A resident of the Bancroft neighborhood in South Minneapolis, she’s passionate about artist spaces that preserve and provide access to unique art forms. Amanda holds dual master's degrees in Nonprofit Management and Arts Administration from the University of Oregon, with an emphasis in Community Arts, and is a 2021 graduate of the Rockwood Leadership Institute. Her primary fire arts skill is performing fire-juggling "telegrams"—outdoors, socially distanced, and preferably in the dead of winter—to celebrate the birthdays of friends and loved ones during the pandemic.

Roger Karlson – Board Member. Roger is both an instructor and student of interior design, currently pursuing his doctoral degree in Interior Design at the U of M. As an instructor, he finds inspiration in observing the unique way others create objects and resolve problems as they acquire new skills. Roger's exploration of sculptural welding began several years ago, when he took classes at Minneapolis Community & Technical College. He’s part of CAFAC’s team of welding instructors and helps out with many facilities-related projects around the shop.

Kathleen Kvern – Board Member. Kathleen is Senior Vice President of National Advancement at Artspace Projects, Inc. a national non-profit real estate developer with a mission to create, foster, and preserve affordable and sustainable space for artists and arts organizations. She has a long history and depth of knowledge working with individual artists, community building in the arts, and consulting with arts and cultural organizations. Kathleen is an abstract painter with a home studio in the Powderhorn neighborhood of Minneapolis. Working primarily in encaustic her work has been juried into local and national and she teaches encaustic workshops at the Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center.

Jhyle Rinker – Board Member & Gallery Coordinator. Jhyle is a jewelry-maker and gallerist who joined the CAFAC staff in 2017. As Gallery Coordinator, she plans and curates regular shows, special exhibitions, and artist talks, along with managing CAFAC’s retail gallery operations. She views her role as the welcoming committee for CAFAC and her vision for the gallery is for it to be jumping off spot for emerging artists – a safe space to learn and come into their own as well as a comfortable space for people to connect to art and those that make it.

Heidi Schuster – Board Member.  Heidi has spent 20 years in the media industry working in promotion, documentary and series television.  She’s worked in both the public and private sector and is currently Director of Business Development and Operations for Aldis Systems, Inc.  She has a B.A. in Communications from the University of Minnesota and has served on the boards of MN Women in Film & TV and Film North.  With a focus on business operations leadership, Heidi helps creative companies and visionary leaders integrate their ideas with actions.

Pete Segar – Board Member. Pete Segar is a metal artist specializing in commissioned sculpture including large scale public works, metal Bas reliefs, artistic furniture and custom personal sculpture.  After a 25-year career in product development and executive management, he pursued his metal art passion and started Metalcrafters LLC.  He works primarily at the Hack Factory and at his metal shop in Wisconsin, and has learned much from CAFAC classes.  He has experience with both public and non-profit board service, including Caringbridge.  His goal is to help CAFAC continue to more effectively serve the community through fire arts.