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Senior Staff Bios

Cynthia Harnisch, President and CEO
Cynthia Harnisch has worked extensively with high-poverty children and adults in both urban and rural settings for more than two decades. Prior to joining Inner-City Arts as Executive Director in 1999, Cynthia served for 12 years as Vice President of the Autry National Center. Previously she worked for the Arizona Historical Society and the University of Arizona Museum of Art. Cynthia is a member of several community and cultural boards and advisory committees including the Los Angeles Central Providers Collaborative, the Newton Division Community/Police Advisory Board, Para Los Niños, The Ryman Program for Young Artists, Angel's Gate, and the Youth Advocates Affinity Group. She is also a member of Art Table and is a past president of Museum Educators of Southern California. Cynthia received a BA in Art History, holds advanced degrees in Museum Studies and Education Administration, and attended Stanford University's Graduate School of Business Executive Education Program and the Getty's Museum Leadership Institute. Contact Us

Sharyn Church, Deputy Director
Sharyn Church began her career in non-profit management as an accountant with a national firm in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, specializing in the firm's non-profit practice. Before joining Inner-City Arts in 2001, Sharyn worked at a variety of museums and cultural institutions, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Craft and Folk Art Museum in Los Angeles. At Inner-City Arts, Sharyn has served in several key roles including Founding Director of the Inner-City Arts - Annenberg Professional Development Program and Director of Development; she was named Deputy Director of Inner-City Arts in January 2007. A member of ArtTable, Los Angeles, Sharyn holds a BS in Accounting and an MA in Art History and Museum Studies, both from the University of Southern California, and attended Stanford University's Graduate School of Business Executive Education Program, and the Getty's Museum Leadership Institute. Contact Us

Beth Tishler, Director of Education & Community Programs
Beth Tishler believes in the power of creativity, and how potent the arts can be for young people in their learning. As Director of Education & Community Programs at Inner-City Arts, Beth has spent over 16 years working with students, teachers, artists and school communities at the center, and in the greater Los Angeles area. With a background in the performing arts, Beth brings her teaching and administrative experience to her work, having spent 25 years as a performing arts instructor and administrator throughout southern California. Beth has created diverse arts education programs throughout southern California, including Kids on Stage, the Camp for the Performing Arts, Let's Dance! and Bruin Kids at UCLA. Beth holds a B.A. in Drama & Dance, an M.A. in Dance Education, and an M.A. in Arts Administration. With a successful career in teaching and administering arts education programs throughout the city, Beth now coaches other people to achieve the same success. In 1998, having spent seven years as Inner-City Arts' first Executive Director, Beth fulfilled a desire to continue to work directly with students, teachers, artists and the community by creating her current position as Director of Education & Community Programs. Contact Us

Jan Kirsch, Director of Professional Development
After 16 years as a professional dancer, teaching artist, educator, event producer and social justice activist in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, in 1993, Jan came to teach at Inner-City Arts. Passionate about the possibilities of the arts and creative expression for children, youth and community, Jan's work as Director of Professional Development allows her to bring that vision of possibility to over 1,000 classroom teachers, teaching artists and after school providers each year. Since assuming her current position in 2003, Jan has sought and forged collaborations with other academic institutions and community organizations and frequently shares her expertise at workshops, conferences and festivals nationally and internationally. Jan received a BA in Social Sciences (Education, Psychology and Dance) from UC Berkeley and, since coming to Inner-City Arts, has been working to articulate the "magic" of what occurs in the studios here and find bridges to bringing those possibilities into the public education arena. Contact Us

Susie Goliti, Director of Administration
Susie Goliti's success in the corporate sector has proven to be a significant asset to Inner-City Arts. Prior to joining the staff, as Director of Administration in 2003, Susie managed large accounts in the computer industry, overseeing $40 million in sales to AAA of Northern California, Kaiser Permanente and Blue Shield of California. She carried a series 7 license while working as a commodities broker. Early in her career, she worked as a travel agent, coordinating travel for more than 100 executives of the Fireman's Fund Executive Travel Division. Susie brings her formal human resource training, conflict resolution skills, and management and organizational expertise to her position. She is deeply involved in all fundraising, governance, management and facilities aspects of the organization. Personally, Susie is a talented painter and it was her love of the arts and a desire to give back to the next generation that prompted her to create and implement a successful fundraising project for Inner-City Arts before she even visited the campus. Susie has a BS in Marketing with a minor in Tourism. Contact Us

Ofelia de los Santos, Chief Financial Officer
Ofelia de los Santos has 10 years of nonprofit accounting and 17 years of bank accounting experience. Her resume includes accounting experience in manufacturing, construction and real estate management, and 10 years in bank operations. She joined Inner-City Arts in March 1999. Prior to that, she was the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of a bank in Alhambra for 9 1/2 years. She graduated Cum Laude from the University of the East-Philippines and holds a BS in Business Administration, major in Accounting. She passed the Philippines' CPA board exams in 1971.

Tom Grond, Director of Facilities
Tom Grond is beginning his fourth year as the Director of Facilities at Inner-City Arts. Tom has over 20 years of theatrical touring experience, having toured with dance companies and performers such as Bella Lewitzky, Margalit Oved, the Aman Folk Ensemble and Kenny Rodgers. He has toured 300 cities, 41 states and three countries. Tom worked as a Production Stage Manager at UCLA Royce Hall, coordinating technical aspects of 150 shows per year. Additionally, He worked as an Outdoor Adventure Teacher for children and adults with disabilities, as well as a one-on-one aide for students with Autism. Specializing in technical theater and production, Tom received a Bachelor's of Fine Arts from UC Irvine, and holds a California State teaching credential. Tom shares his gifts of coordination, management creativity and theater experiences here at Inner-City Arts, with the staff, artists, students and schools we serve. Contact Us