Strategy
that flows.

I work with foundations, arts organizations, and cultural institutions to see what's missing and build what's next. Three decades creating systems that last—grassroots to global.

SEE THE WORK

The Eye of an Artist.
The Mind
of an Entrepreneur.

I don't translate between cultures—I inhabit both.

30 years moving between contradictory worlds—underground hip-hop and the United Nations, prison yards and foundation boardrooms—forged the capacity to see gaps others miss and build systems where the excluded gain voice, the isolated find community, and impossible futures become inevitable.

The results speak:

Foundation advisor to
$3.6M program supporting
155 artists and 88 orgs

Raised $2M over 14 years
sustaining non-profit
elderly chorus

Co-created 7-year prison
arts program serving
150+ participants

Featured Work.

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

VALLEYCREATES

Co-authoring a new paradigm in foundation funding to catalyze a regional arts ecosystem—what happens when you give the people closest to the work real decision-making power.

READ CASE STUDY

Trusted By

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What Clients Say

  • "I was scared and hopeless at the Women's Correctional Center in 2017. PrisonVision brought joy every week—I felt like I had a purpose again. Since my release, I've attended Young@Heart rehearsals twice weekly for eight years and performed at sold-out concerts."

    — Cynthia Coons, Singer, PrisonVision Alumni

  • "I was hesitant to apply again to ValleyCreates after being denied. But thanks to Mark's encouragement, I took another shot. This grant didn't just give me the freedom to create; it gave me an opportunity to give back to my community in a real way. Looking back, I realize that taking that chance led to one of my best exhibitions yet."

    — Kahli Hernandez, Artist, ValleyCreates Grantee

  • "Mark's strategic vision launched what has become one of our most joyful and unifying annual traditions—bringing hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds together every summer."

    — Brian Foote, Director of Arts & Culture, City of Northampton

  • "Young@Heart experienced an existential crisis during the pandemic—our main revenue source disappeared overnight. Mark was instrumental in our virtual concert pivot, bringing technical skills, creativity, and utter resourcefulness. He was an essential ingredient in Young@Heart's organizational survival at the most difficult moment any nonprofit could encounter."

    — Ariel Glassman Barwick, Founder & CEO, Common Great

  • "May Day was such a feat of love, compassion, solidarity, and kindness. The model was sharp yet thoughtful, and people felt seen, comforted, and nourished. My favorite sessions were the ones with Mark (big fan now!) as well as the student singing—that gave me goosebumps, and my friend tears of joy. Such a provoking and heartfelt series of interactions at McLeish."

    — Nancy Jimenez Zigler, Director of Programs and Partnerships, Jandon Center, Smith College

  • "During his 14-year tenure with Young@Heart, Mark's accomplishments were many. His greatest strength is facilitating profound connections through art—between individuals, organizations, and communities. Young@Heart remains deeply grateful for his extensive work, which fundamentally changed both our organization and the people within it."

    — Patricia Sandoval, Board of Directors (25 years), Young@Heart Chorus

  • "Mark's exhibition has been very well received by our colleagues for its artistic values and uplifting inspirations. These paintings are about how an Italian immigrant family has made it in the United States, where immigration has become a topical issue."

    — Rong Jiang, Curator, United Nations

Let’s talk.

Whether you're a foundation rethinking how power flows, an arts organization navigating transformation, or a cultural institution designing something new—let's have an honest conversation about what's stuck and what flowing would look like.

START THE CONVERSATION