Meet Artown 2026 Board of Directors

Published March 6, 2026

Meet Artown 2026 Board of Directors

Now in its 31st season, Artown operates with a full-time staff of three, with oversight provided by a Board of Directors.  Our Board of Directors represents the very best our community has to offer and is comprised of individuals from diverse backgrounds with a range of personal and professional skills. We are grateful that they are here and that they bring their expertise to the oversight of Artown.

Our current board Co-Chair is Chris Galli. A fifth-generation native Nevadan, Vice President of Relocation for Dickson Realty, and partner in several local taverns, Chris is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Northern Nevada and wants as many as possible to enjoy all our community has to offer.  Sharing the role of Co-Chair with Chris is Meredith Tanzer. Upon arriving in Reno, she established the award-winning La Bussola boutique. Meredith has also devoted her time to the SPCA of Northern Nevada, Washoe County Homeless Youth Point in Time Count, and Eddy House. An award-winning gay rights activist, Meredith was a vital part of the capital campaign that opened Our Center, and she now works at Northern Nevada HOPES and continues to support the arts and artists in our community.  

Deane Albright serves as Artown’s Treasurer. He started his own CPA firm in 1976, which grew into one of the largest accounting firms in our area. During the past 50 years, Deane has been active in other business ventures such as the Brasserie Saint James Restaurant, Sierra Wellness Connection, and as one of the founding members of the Reno Seed Fund in 2019,  a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage companies operating in Northern Nevada. His financial expertise and contributions to Artown are unmatched.  

David Lan serves as Artown’s Secretary and is a dedicated community advocate with a passion for uplifting non-profits. David brings his fervent support for the arts, coupled with his extensive experience in technology and entrepreneurship. His background includes serving as a board member for organizations such as the Renown Regional Medical Center, Secret Witness, and Artech. David also helps wrangle technology out in Gerlach, Nevada, for Burning Man.

Patricia Meidell is a Certified Financial Planner with decades of experience in finance, education, and counseling.   Before becoming a financial advisor, Pat taught high school classes for 17 years. She is currently the Chairman of the Board of American Wealth Management. Pat is active with the Nevada Interfaith Association and served as a Director for the Renown Health Foundation for over ten years.  

Craig Conrath was quite busy as a medical oncologist and one of the founding members of Cancer Care Specialist until his retirement five years ago. He grew up in Ohio, where his father played in the big bands, and live music was always a part of his life. For many years, Craig has been an enthusiastic supporter of the local arts, as well as attending multiple regional music festivals regularly. He has been involved with multiple local concerts, attempting to bring to Reno musical groups that are “just below the radar” before they take off with a national audience.

Gabrielle Enfield has served Washoe County in the Office of the County Manager since 2001. She leads the Community Reinvestment Division, which is responsible for identifying and addressing community needs by convening partners and aligning new and existing resources to create transformative changes. Gabrielle is dedicated to maximizing the investment of public funds to improve communities. Throughout her career, she has developed a robust background in and respect for the power of collaboration.

Lauren Schwarz, Associate Dean, Institutional Wellness, UNR Medical School, is new to the Reno community. Lauren is a Clinical Neuropsychologist and Chief Wellness Officer, and this opportunity is what brought Lauren and her family here. In her free time, Lauren enjoys being outdoors with her daughter Maddy, son Benji, and partner Fred. A significant source of joy for her and her family is art in all its forms. They enjoy being amateur artists as well as appreciating the amazing creations of professionals.

Cathy Trachok was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. She attended the University of Nevada and received a BA degree in 1976 with a major in Spanish and a minor in French. She returned to receive a teaching degree and certificate in 1983. In 1986, Cathy left teaching and worked in the family business until 1997. Cathy has been active in non-profit activities for most of her adult life. She served as president of Sage Ridge School’s Parent Association, a member of Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada Board, a member of the UNR College of Liberal Arts Board, a member of the Sierra Nevada Ballet Board, and is presently a member of the Community Health Alliance Foundation Board.  

Teysha Harbin is a multidisciplinary artist and senior federal program manager with over 22 years of experience with the Department of Veterans Affairs, where she currently serves as a Logistics Program Manager overseeing multimillion-dollar procurement and contracting activities. Alongside her career, Teysha maintains an active artistic practice. She works across painting, singing, and welding, with a decade-long focus on large-scale abstract acrylic painting. Her work explores organic movement, layered texture, and emotional presence through an intuitive, process-driven approach.

Bethany Sam works for the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony. A highly organized, goal-driven, client-focused professional with strong communication and presentation skills. She describes herself as creative, outgoing, and team-oriented. Bethany emphasizes attention to detail and a commitment to delivering accurate, high-quality work and expresses interest in representing ARTOWN to enhance its visibility and public image.  

Rounding out this amazing group is Ana Lauren Córdova de García. Originally from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Ana Lauren is an attorney, wife, mother, and entrepreneur with extensive experience in marketing strategy, sales development, and experiential leadership. In South America, she organized festivals, concerts, and large-scale cultural events, building a strong foundation in cultural production and community-driven programming. Through her leadership at Brasserie Saint James in Reno, Ana cultivates inclusive programming that generates opportunities for local artists, musicians, and creative entrepreneurs, ensuring that art, music, and culture remain central to community engagement. She is dedicated to strengthening Reno’s creative ecosystem in sustainable and impactful ways. As a member of the Artown Board, she supports initiatives that expand access to the arts, foster partnerships, and reinforce the cultural vitality of the region.

For a more detailed bio on each of Artown’s Board Members, please visit https://artown.org/about/board/

Most importantly, the Artown Board of Directors is all-volunteer; they do this because they love their community and arts and are dedicated to making sure Artown thrives and will continue to offer our artists, residents, and visitors an unforgettable July overflowing with exceptional and enjoyable arts experiences. They must be recognized and acknowledged for all their fine work.

Beth Macmillan is the Executive Director of Artown, one of the largest arts and culture festivals in the western United States, offering over 500 events with a wide range of artistic disciplines, including music, dance, theater, visual arts, literature, and more.

How Do You Get an Event Into the Artown Festival? by Beth Macmillan — January 23, 2026

Encore, Encore! Artown Encore Series Presents Dance Me by Beth Macmillan — December 12, 2025

Artown Hosts Its Inaugural small art | BIG PARTY Event by Beth Macmillan — October 31, 2025

“At The Illusionist’s Table” Returns to Reno by Beth Macmillan — September 19, 2025

Artown’s 30th Anniversary – A Brilliant Celebration of the Arts! by Beth Macmillan — August 8, 2025

Celebrating 30 years with Artown! by Beth Macmillan — June 27, 2025

Artown 30^th Anniversary Poster Created by Connor Fogal by Beth Macmillan — May 16, 2025

The Spirit (Animals) of Artown  by Beth Macmillan — April 4, 2025

How ARTEFFECTS Comes to Life!  by Beth Macmillan — February 21, 2025
 

Artown Encore Series: Entertainment and Discovery through Live Performances  by Beth Macmillan — January 10, 2025
 

Artown is celebrating its 30^th anniversary! Why not join us and present an event?  by Beth Macmillan — November 29, 2024

Approaching Artown’s 30^th Anniversary  by Beth Macmillan — October 18, 2024

Artown 2024 Tips and Tricks!  by Beth Macmillan — June 28, 2024

Artown 2023  by Beth Macmillan — June 30, 2023