BCA Staff

Executive Director: Virginia Willard
Virginia Willard has been Executive Director since January, 2000. Virginia spent 27 years in banking, and was most recently senior vice president of First Interstate Bank of Oregon (now Wells Fargo Bank.) She has served on many arts boards, including ten years on the board of Portland Opera, and four years on the Metropolitan Arts Commission (predecessor to the Regional Arts and Culture Council), serving as chair of both organizations. Virginia's email address is virginia@nwbca.org.

Associate Director: Susan Myers
Susan Myers has been with BCA since 1994. She has planned and implemented all BCA programs, including the Arts Breakfast of Champions, Art of Leadership and Behind the Scenes member receptions. Susan is currently focused on launching BCA's new Business Volunteers for the Arts program. She earned her B.A. in art history from the University of Colorado and worked previously at the Washington Commission for the Humanities and the International Sculpture Center. Susan's email address is susan@nwbca.org.

Member Relations Manager: Erin Graham
A Northwest native, Erin joined Business for Culture & the Arts (BCA) in October 2008 as the Member Relations (and Marketing) Manager, a new position at BCA. In addition to connecting business and the arts through BCA, Erin is actively engaged in the community. She serves on the Work for Art Campaign Cabinet and on a committee for the Young Professionals of Portland. In 2009, she also served as a grant panelist for the Oregon Arts Commission. Before returning to Portland, Erin was a director and in-house counsel at a Madison-based company dedicated to connecting and empowering independent musicians, music enthusiasts and industry professionals through innovative technologies. Erin earned an MBA in Arts Administration and a JD from University of Wisconsin - Madison. Prior to pursuing her graduate education, Erin worked as Managing Director of Stark Raving Theatre in Portland. She was also a theater representative for The Cultural Plan for Oregon and a grant panelist for the Regional Arts & Culture Council. Erin's email is erin@nwbca.org.

Program Associate: Jessica Stern
Jessica Stern joined the BCA staff in September 2008. After receiving her BA in Music and French Studies from Lewis & Clark College, Jessica worked as the Washington County Volunteer Manager for the 2004 Kerry/Edwards Campaign, and for Zimbabwe Artists Project. Jessica has extensive experience in event coordination after working with the Office of Conferences & Events at Lewis & Clark College. At BCA, Jessica plans and implements programs including Behind the Scenes, the Breakfast of Champions and BCA's Top Donors to the Arts Research, in addition to administering the office and Board of Directors. Jessica is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Administration with an Advanced Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Portland State University. She plans to graduate in June after completing a comprehensive organizational development project with Ko-Falen Cultural Center, with whom she traveled to Mali recently. Jessica enjoys travel, food, the outdoors, and has a deep passion for the arts. Jessica's email is jessica@nwbca.org