Meet Our Staff, Board & Artists

Sheila Womble

Ms. Womble is a Miami native and passionate arts leader with more than 20 years of experience. She excels at team building, managing change, strategic planning, and fundraising. Her vibrant approach to all tasks and thoughtful analysis of opportunities helped her drive a significant period of growth and transition at Arts for Learning, increasing the annual budget by more than 55% in one year as a result of program expansions and evaluation initiatives. Under her leadership, Arts for Learning developed programs to serve children and youth from infancy through high school, providing Miami’s youth more opportunities to grow up with the arts.

Prior to helping establish and lead Arts for Learning, she managed a private art collection and handled artist and community relations and marketing services for ArtCenter/South Florida (now Oolite Arts). She studied at the Institute for American Studies in Aix-en-Provence, France and holds a degree in Art History & Anthropology from the University of Miami. When not advocating on behalf of children and the arts, she can be found dancing in her kitchen, telling the same joke repeatedly to her son, or picking up the fallen mangoes in her yard.

Sidra Mattson Urbom

Ms. Mattson joined Arts for Learning in January 2004. She holds a BS degree in Systems Analysis from the University of Miami’s School of Business, where she graduated with honors. She quickly became a key part of Arts for Learning’s executive management team as she rose through the positions of Administrative Coordinator, Business Manager, and then Finance Director. She believes in the connections between music and math and that her childhood training in piano, choir, and violin are serving her well in her career.

Damaris Suarez

Damaris Suarez joined Arts for Learning in April, 2016. She holds an AS in Hospitality Management from Formatur and an Entertainment & Customer Service Management diploma from Sandals Resorts International. She has more than 25 years of experience in the operations/administration management fields. While working in hospitality, she was in charge of several cultural galas, exhibitions, concerts and visits to sites of artistic and/or historic interest, oriented to connect with the community, create awareness and increase revenues. As a volunteer, she created and participated in initiatives to help build and restore houses in impoverished neighborhoods in Cuba, Jamaica and Saint Martin and also created family and children oriented activities in these communities. While working in the TV/Media industry in Miami for more than 4 years, she held administration and business development management positions, servicing prestigious networks such as Telemundo, Univision and Discovery en Español. Working with Arts for Learning Miami has been a passionate journey, witnessing and enjoying the valued camaraderie between our staff, teaching artists, partners, and the communities we serve. She enjoys spending good quality time with family and friends, most nature related activities, traveling, and a good cup of coffee.

Raúl E. Santiago-Lugo

Raúl E. Santiago-Lugo is A4L’s Human Resources Manager with over seven years of experience supporting mission-driven organizations. In his role, he leads talent development, processes improvements, and compliance initiatives that strengthen workforce engagement within arts education programming. He leverages HRIS systems to streamline operations, enhance employee experience, and ensure regulatory compliance. Raúl holds a Master of Science in Human Resources Management and is passionate about building people-centered systems that empower Teaching Artists and advance access to the arts.

Beyond his professional work, Raúl is deeply passionate about music and media, with a particular appreciation for high-quality audio and live performances. A self-described audiophile, he enjoys exploring sound, discovering new artists, and experiencing the energy of concerts and cultural events. He is also committed to supporting animals and strengthening the community, values that align closely with his dedication to service and impact-driven work.

Rosana Gutierrez

Rosana Gutierrez is a Cuban-American, first-generation University of Florida graduate with a passion for using creativity to empower children and teens. Raised in a household deeply rooted in the arts—her mother a Cuban-trained artist—Rosana was encouraged from a young age to explore her creative side, studying piano throughout late elementary, middle, and high school. Her background in Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) led her to undertake a teaching assistantship in Madrid, Spain, where she taught English, Science, and Arts lessons for K–6th-grade students. Upon returning to the U.S., she applied her cross-cultural communication and global education perspective to help strengthen the operations of a small cross-cultural training firm. Shaped by a lifelong appreciation for the transformative power of the arts in multicultural settings, Rosana joined Arts for Learning/Miami in May 2025. In her role, she helps streamline internal systems and support the educators and teaching artists who bring arts programming to life across South Florida. When she’s not supporting A4L’s mission, Rosana enjoys baking, spending time with loved ones, and playing with her cats.

Laura Marsh

Ms. Marsh (b. 1982, Binghamton, NY) is a Yale School of Art–trained artist and cultural development professional whose career connects contemporary art, social advocacy, and strategic fundraising. She received her MFA from Yale University School of Art and her BFA from the Cleveland Institute of Art. With more than 17 years of experience in development, programming, and fundraising, Marsh brings creative vision, narrative fluency, and a deep understanding of how impact stories build meaningful donor and artist relationships. She has worked in program and development roles at Oolite Arts, Art and Culture Center/Hollywood, and Young At Art Museum. Beginning as a Teaching Artist with Arts for Learning, she champions Miami artists as vital voices in national cultural dialogue and now advances initiatives that strengthen artist pathways, community partnerships, and sustainable support for the arts.

Working in textiles, banners, and fiber-based installations, Marsh transforms language into visual form, merging craft, wordsmithing, and contemporary social discourse. Her artistic practice deepens her ability to translate mission into message, engage audiences emotionally, and shape narratives that inspire investment in creative and educational work. She has exhibited at Locust Projects, Deering Estate, and the Whitney Museum of American Art, among other venues. Her work is held in prominent private collections, and she is represented by Dot Fiftyone Gallery in Miami. When not immersed in the arts, she’s at the beach building sandcastles with her daughter, Sofi, and husband, Walter.

Carolina Candelaria

Carolina Candelaria joined the A4L team in 2013. She holds an AA in English Literature from the Honors College at Miami Dade College, and a BFA in Drawing from Florida International University. She began work as an intern at Viernes Culturales/Cultural Fridays, Inc. while at FIU, and continued to become the festival’s Artist Coordinator & Curator of the Viernes Culturales Gallery. Later, she served as Executive Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director of Miami Dade College’s Museum of Art + Design, housed in the National Historic Landmark Freedom Tower in Downtown Miami.

Carlos Noguera

Carlos Noguera brings over 15 years of experience in arts education across public, private, and international school settings. He first joined Arts for Learning Miami in 2013 as a Teaching Artist and now serves as Artist Services Director.

In this role, Carlos leads the cultivation and support of A4L’s Teaching Artist community, working to ensure high-quality, impactful residencies across Miami-Dade. He is committed to positioning A4L as the leading hub for outstanding teaching artists in South Florida—where artistic excellence and strong pedagogy meet meaningful community engagement.

Carlos holds a BFA in Art Education from Tufts University and an Ed.M. in Arts in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. His career has spanned Boston, Miami, Seoul, and Abu Dhabi, where he has led arts programs, taught media and film studies, and worked at the intersection of arts and service learning.

He believes the arts are essential to developing creative confidence, critical thinking, and social-emotional growth in young people.

Outside of work, Carlos enjoys cycling in Key Biscayne and spending time with his wife and daughters.

Dia Carter Webb

Dia Carter Webb earned a BA degree in Fine Arts from the University of Florida and a Masters of Science in Art Education from Florida International University. Mrs. Carter Webb joined Arts for Learning in 2004, after 16 years of teaching in the Miami-Dade County Public School system at both the elementary and middle school levels. During six of these years, Mrs. Carter Webb taught at the School of Choice Expressive Arts Program at Charles R. Drew Elementary School. Mrs. Carter Webb was an early adopter of Arts for Learning’s GET smART program and is experienced in integrating the arts with core subjects, incorporating various pedagogies, enhancing instructional performance through partnering with diverse community resources, and providing professional development for classroom teachers. She has directed A4L’s early childhood program since 2007, and is highly skilled in inclusion strategies. She currently serves on Miami-Dade County’s All Kids Included Steering Committee.

Ivy S. Bennett

Ms. Bennett received a BS degree in Economics from Florida State University in May of 2004. She first joined Arts for Learning as a Dance Teaching Artist in 2004, and now holds the position of Program Director. Ms. Bennett worked as a professional dancer and choreographer for many years, having found a passion for movement, performance and the choreographic process. As a Teaching Artist, she shared her artistry with both children and adults of all ages. She formerly served as a Guardian ad Litem in Broward County, where she advocated for the best interest of Florida’s abused and neglected children. She has volunteered as a mentor to young girls at Girl Power, a non-profit organization in Miami-Dade County. She has also served as the Vice-Chairperson of Miami Gardens Progressive Young Adults, a subcommittee of the City Council that represents the interest of young adults in the City of Miami Gardens. In 2015, Ms. Bennett participated in Young Audiences Emerging Leadership Institute (ELI), an intensive professional development program for individuals who are committed to strengthening their skills and competencies in order to become transformational leaders in the arts-in-education field. Through her work as a Program Director, she has developed a passion for working with teens and helping them to discover their fullest potential. Ms. Bennett gets to continue this mission by leading Arts for Learning’s teen internship initiatives, the ArtWorks Internship Program and the Wall(in) Project.

Hamah Dorestant

Hamah Dorestant recently stepped into the role of Program Manager after more than 10 years of dedicated service with the All Kids Included (AKI) Youth Arts in the Parks program, an inclusive initiative made possible through the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs. Throughout her tenure, Hamah has played an integral role in fostering creativity, access, and meaningful arts experiences for children and youth of all abilities.

With a background in Education and Business Administration, Hamah combines her passion for youth development with strong organizational and leadership skills. In her current role, she oversees the implementation of afterschool and summer programs across multiple sites, ensuring smooth operations while maintaining healthy, productive working relationships with diverse partners and community stakeholders. She orients and supports teaching artists in alignment with program goals, facilitates meetings to uphold program quality, and provides guidance to ensure impactful instruction and inclusive engagement.

Hamah also supports the execution of successful culminating events that celebrate student achievement and community involvement. Her attention to detail and commitment to excellence are reflected in her oversight of accurate program data collection and reporting, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.

Her proven leadership, deep commitment to accessibility in the arts, and strong collaborative approach make her an invaluable leader within the AKI program and the broader arts community.

Wanda Carreras

Wanda Carreras is a Cuban-American artist based in Miami, FL. As of 2017, she became an alum of New World School of the Arts’ visual arts high school program. In 2021, she became an alum of Art Center College of Design’s illustration-design BFA program in Pasadena, CA. Thinking, communicating, and solving problems creatively is the foundation that she thrives on as an Assistant Program Manager. Wanda is a passionate person with the intention to inspire others into more playful, more expansive, dreamier spaces within themselves.

Graciela Lacayo

Graciela Lacayo joined the A4L team in 2024. She is Venezuelan and holds a degree in Business Administration from the Central University of Venezuela. She has worked with children for over 16 years and has been a director for over 14 years, working in preschools (Ángel Guardián Preschool), at EnFamilia as a Parenting Coordinator, at the Homestead Shelter for Immigrant Children as a Case Manager, and with the American Children's Orchestra for Peace (a non-profit organization).

Through her work as a children's director, she developed a passion for helping, assisting, collaborating with, and guiding families and children in need. She has worked closely with The Children's Trust.

Zekeria Holcomb

Zekeria Holcomb is a dedicated site manager with a strong background in youth programming and afterschool operations. She currently leads the Arts for Learning Afterschool program at Laura C. Saunders Elementary, where she oversees daily program functions, supports instructional staff, and ensures a safe, engaging, and inclusive environment for all students.

Since joining Arts for Learning in July 2024, Zekeria has brought exceptional leadership and enthusiasm to her role. Her responsibilities include managing staff performance, fostering positive student engagement, and serving as a liaison between program staff and A4L leadership to ensure program goals are met with excellence. She is known for her ability to build meaningful connections with students and staff alike, and for creating an environment where creativity and learning can flourish. Zekeria is passionate about A4L's mission to provide equitable access to high-quality arts education. Her commitment to inclusion, growth, and resilience shines through in her work every day.

Marilyn Mendoza

Marilyn Mendoza is a graduate student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Nova Southeastern University with a strong commitment to supporting both adults and children who have experienced trauma. Her clinical interests include trauma-informed care, emotional regulation, and fostering safe, supportive environments where individuals feel heard, respected, and empowered. She is passionate about helping clients build resilience and develop effective coping skills to navigate emotional and behavioral challenges.

Marilyn has been working with A4L since 2021, where she has gained valuable hands-on experience working with children and youth. Through this role, she has developed strong relationship-building skills and the ability to support children with emotional and behavioral needs in a structured, compassionate setting. Her experience at A4L has allowed her to grow both personally and professionally while reinforcing her dedication to working with children and families. The organization has provided meaningful opportunities for learning, collaboration, and professional development that continue to shape her approach to care.

She is committed to continuing her education and pursuing professional licensure in clinical mental health counseling. Her long-term goal is to integrate her academic training with my professional experience to provide high-quality, trauma-informed services. She is motivated, dependable, and eager to continue growing within an organization that values youth development, mental health, and community support. She looks forward to contributing her skills and passion to a team dedicated to making a positive impact.

Cynthia Romero

Cynthia is A4L’s Multisite Manager, overseeing the Youth Arts in the Parks program across multiple locations during the academic year. In this role, she supervises site staff, conducts regular site visits, manages schedules and coverage, ensures safety and compliance, and supports required documentation. She also assists with registrations, orientations, events, field trips, and community activities to ensure consistent, high-quality program delivery across all sites.

In addition to her multisite responsibilities, she manages Arts for Learning’s Creative Arts Summer Camp, overseeing daily operations, supporting teaching artists, leading staff orientations, and ensuring each program reflects A4L’s commitment to inclusive, student-centered arts education. Cynthia has worked with Arts for Learning in several roles for over 9 years, and her long-standing connection to the organization informs her leadership approach and commitment to its mission.

Outside of A4L, Cynthia is a 5th-grade teacher and holds a Master’s degree in Exceptional Student Education. She is  known for being organized, solutions-oriented, and collaborative, and for leading with empathy while maintaining strong operational systems that support students, staff, and families.