Cultural organization strengthens leadership with financial and strategic expertise
June 16, 2025 -- New York City
Artists Talk On Art is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors: Leslie Alba-Rashid, Director of Asset Management at Citi Community Capital, and Vanessa Perry, Global Managing Director at Ogilvy. The appointments were announced by Chennie Huang, President of the Board of Directors.
"These appointments represent a significant strengthening of our board's strategic capabilities," said Huang. "Leslie brings exceptional financial stewardship and community impact expertise, while Vanessa contributes deep experience in digital innovation and brand leadership. Both understand the intersection of culture and commerce that's essential for arts organizations today."
Leslie Alba-Rashid brings two decades of senior leadership experience in financial governance, currently providing strategic oversight for $12.1 billion in impact investments at Citi Community Capital, part of Citigroup. Her Master's in Urban Planning from Columbia University and interdisciplinary background in Geography and Latin American Studies provide crucial perspectives on community engagement and cultural sensitivity. Her proven track record in collaborative relationship-building and innovative funding strategies directly supports the organization's mission and sustainability goals.
Vanessa Perry offers over 20 years of board-level strategic leadership in digital innovation and creative agencies. As Global Managing Director at Ogilvy, she leads growth strategy for the customer experience division, overseeing strategic partnerships, content, and platform initiatives. Her client portfolio includes Amazon, Nike, LVMH, American Express, Spotify, Estée Lauder, and Google. With her background in film and art history, Perry combines cultural fluency with commercial expertise essential for advancing the organization's strategic and creative direction.
Founded in 1974, Artists Talk On Art has created a legacy of over one thousand panels and dialogues, with archives housed at the Smithsonian Institution's Archives of American Art. The organization continues to provide a platform for contemporary art discourse and cultural dialogue.
Contact: info@atoanyc.org