Our Team
Rae Choi
Founder
rae.c@bluebirdartfoundation.org
The Blue Bird Art Foundation creates an environment that values artistic talent and supports student artists in showcasing their skills, planting seeds to transform future young leaders into compassionate, innovative, and socially responsible individuals.
We are committed to educating compassionate leaders for the good of our community and embracing our members' generosity and gratitude by organizing these exhibitions. Creating art requires tapping into the essence of understanding the human experience. As young artists explore different themes and express their thoughts and feelings through their work, they develop empathy and emotional intelligence. These qualities are essential for effective leadership, enabling leaders to establish a deeper understanding and connection with others.
I believe helping our youth engage in artistic pursuits is key to building strong leaders of the future who understand the power of creativity to bring change and create an even more profound sense of belonging within the community.
Cari oversees daily activities, and implements strategic initiatives. Her responsibilities include collaborating with educators, overseeing art exhibits, and fostering partnerships with schools and local organizations.
Cari Whelden
Board Member &
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
cari.w@bluebirdartfoundation.org
Wen Wen leads our financial strategy, ensuring a sustainable foundation for artistic innovation. She contributes strategic insights, guiding our mission to empower emerging artists.
Wen Wen Chien
Board Member &
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
wenwen.c@bluebirdartfoundation.org
Michelle entails engaging with potential affiliates to promote our non-profit platform includes fostering partnerships to expand our impact within the community and building partnerships to amplify and support charitable initiatives.
Michelle Lugones
Board Member &
Partnership Development
michelle.l@bluebirdartfoundation.org
Shanmuka will spearhead fundraising initiatives to support student art exhibitions. Her dynamic role involves cultivating relationships with donors, creating strategic fundraising plans, and overseeing exhibits.
Shanmuka Gadiraju
Director of Philanthropy
shanmuka.G@bluebirdartfoundation.org
Emma plans and executes impactful programs that align with our mission, fostering positive change and igniting creativity within the community through strategic collaboration.
Emma Oh
Program Director
emma.o@bluebirdartfoundation.org
Justin's role is focused on overseeing and guiding the students’ creative effort. He collaborates with educators, artists, and students to develop innovative programs, exhibitions, and educational materials that promote artistic expression and learning.
Justin Kim
Creative Director
justin.k@bluebirdfoundation.org
Dhruv utilizes innovative digital solutions for student art initiatives. He also oversees infrastructure, digital platforms, and cybersecurity to ensure seamless integration of technology to enhance student artistic experiences.
