caldera

Tricia Snell, Executive Director
Tricia brings to Caldera her passionate belief in the power of creativity, and a varied background as writer, musician, teacher, environmental advocate, and arts administrator. She was the founding Executive Director of the Alliance of Artists’ Communities, an international consortium of artists’ communities and residency programs. In that role from 1994 to 2002, she conducted a variety of programs related to developing support for programs that nurture creativity. Tricia is the author of Artists’ Communities (1996, 2000); American Creativity at Risk (1997); and The Future of Creativity (2002), all of which focus on restoring creativity as a priority in public policy, cultural philanthropy, and education. Prior to this, Tricia worked in the environmental field as staff writer for the Center for Marine Conservation, and editor/project manager for James Dobbin Associates Coastal & Ocean Planning.

As a creative writer, Tricia has published a variety of stories and articles, received a Pen Syndicated Fiction Project Award, and completed two fiction writer residencies (at Hedgebrook and Ragdale). She holds a Masters of Fine Arts (MFA in Creative Writing) from George Mason University in Virginia, and a flute performance degree (ARCT) from the Royal Conservatory of Music, University of Toronto, Canada.

Kirsten Kilchenstein, Education Director
Kirsten came to Caldera in March of 2001 from Self Enhancement, inc., a youth development agency based in North Portland. She holds an MS in conflict resolution with a focus in arts-based conflict resolution from Portland State University. Kirsten has extensive experience with programs using the arts for violence prevention, is a certified mediator and has a BA in Psychology. She has conducted regional arts-based conflict resolution programs in Oregon and led local and national workshops on the arts and violence prevention.

Matt Hansink, Development Director
Matt Hansink brings to Caldera expertise in fundraising and marketing, as well as a passion for community enrichment. A new resident of Portland, Matt comes to Caldera from Corrales, New Mexico where he worked in development for the New Mexico Museum of Natural History Foundation. Matt’s wife, Holly Geringer, is a certified authentic pilates instructor, triathlon coach, and owner of anybody pilates in Portland.

Charlene Conley, Educational Operations
The tubes of the interwebs cannot possibly contain the limitless biographical details necessary to do this section justice.

Deborah Hodges, Student Mentor (Portland)
Deborah’s relationship with Caldera began over a decade ago. Working as a liaison to partnering organizations, as well as an advocate for our students during summer programming and year round, Deborah has used her talents for effective communication and her affable presence to influence the lives of hundreds of Caldera students. Currently, Deborah serves as a mentor to at-risk students in five Portland-area schools.

Alisha Miller, Development Associate
Alisha is a jill-of-many-trades with a strong background in database management. Having lived in the Portland for the past 16 years she now feels she can call it home. With a diverse range of interests including zombies, clowns, and the never ending search for the perfect pair of red shoes she is very happy to be part of the Caldera family.

Teafly Peterson, Student Mentor (Central Oregon)
Teafly is an award-winning artist who lives and works in Bend, Oregon. She has over ten years of experience teach media arts including digital filmmaking, writing and producing for radio and graphic design to youth.

Christina Quattrocchi, Educational Programs Specialist

Lucia Toro, Fiscal Specialist
Lucia comes to Caldera with a tremendous amount of fiscal and accounting experience. Her financial talents, generous patience and goodwill make her an invaluable addition to any office and we’re lucky she chose ours!

Katie Wisdom Weinstein, Office Operations & Artist In Residence Coordinator
Katie, Katie, Katie… where do we start? Katie comes to Caldera after a 12 year hiatus. Katie found Caldera again after managing programs at Sabin Elementary here in Portland, and after managing the S.U.N. Community School through Impact NW. Kids and art are her passion.