Beverly, MA – For six years, Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF), the region’s hub for philanthropy, has been supporting and growing Creative County ChangeMakers, a group of creative leaders working to strengthen and connect the communities of Essex County.
The foundation has announced that a sixth cohort has been selected to join this powerful alliance of artists, nonprofit and municipal leaders, and small business owners who are collaboratively driving community change inclusive of arts and culture.
“This sixth group of ChangeMakers bring as much to the collective table as they will take away,” said Karen Ristuben, program director for Creative County, ECCF’s arts and culture initiative. “What they all share is a deep desire to connect with each other and to deepen their ability to serve their communities with arts and culture at the core.”
The 2026 ECCF Creative County ChangeMakers include:
- Yolanda Maria Chichester Fauvet | Salem | Founder, Lateral Translation Services
- Kelly Ford | Methuen | Executive Director, Methuen Youth & Community Center
- Andrea LeBlanc | Beverly | Executive Director, Arpeggione Ensemble
- Nathan McNiff | Salem | Founder & CEO, The Wandering Stage, LLC
- Lorie Mendoza | Lawrence | Founder & CEO, AltaMar Foundation, Inc.
- Miranda Mitrano | Haverhill | Artist & Librarian, Museum of Printing
- Nick Neyeloff | Rockport | Actor & Educator
- Kristina Wacome Stevick | Salem | Founding Artistic Director, History Alive, Inc.
- Jacqueline Valatka | Salem | Business Manager, House of the Seven Gables; Mural Ambassador & Artist, Punto Urban Art Museum
- Maeva Veillard Perry | Lawrence | Founder, Reconstruction Institute
- Sarai Velazquez-Nguyễn | Methuen | Founder, The Inclusivity Club, Inc.
Since 2021, ECCF has graduated 57 creative leaders from ChangeMakers. Over the course of eight months, participants take part in facilitated and project-based learning, peer networking and leadership trainings.
Rooted in a collaborative process of local and regional ecosystem building, ChangeMakers is connecting people with diverse perspectives and different backgrounds to grow a network of creative leaders that understand the importance and power of thinking regionally and strategically about the ecosystem.
This year’s cohort is inspired by collaboration and art that speaks to community need. They yearn to take action that leads to justice and to work with others who are serious about catalyzing positive change.
“Ultimately, I want to bring back new ideas, stronger relationships, and clearer strategies to deepen the role of arts and culture in serving youth and strengthening our community,” said Kelly Ford, executive director of the Methuen Youth and Community Center.
“I am interested in connecting with like-minded changemakers who dare to envision a different world,” said Maeva Veillard Perry, founder of the Reconstruction Institute – a public health and public policy organization – who is focused on marrying culture and public health. “I’m looking forward to meeting new people who are committed to doing the work of changing their communities.”
The 2026 group cohort begins their ECCF Creative County ChangeMakers journey this month.
About ECCF
Essex County Community Foundation stands with our community, sparking generosity and collaboration to address our greatest needs and unlock opportunities for all – today and tomorrow. Learn more at eccf.org.
About Creative County
ECCF is committed to supporting a strong ecosystem for arts, culture and creative enterprise that is sustainable, equitable and accessible to all. The Creative County Initiative is ECCF’s investment in the creative people, places and partnerships that make Essex County such a vibrant place to live and work. Learn more at https://www.eccf.org/arts-and-culture/.
