Emily West Hartlerode, Rachel Jones, James Dean “J.D.” Kindle and Nicole Possert are the newest members of the Oregon Cultural Trust’s Board of Directors. Appointed by Gov. Tina Kotek, each will serve a four-year term helping steward the state’s vital arts, heritage and humanities resources.
“We are excited to welcome this talented set of leaders,” said Amy Lewin, Oregon Arts & Culture Director, who leads in the Cultural Trust. “Their diverse expertise—spanning folk arts, historic preservation, and rural arts administration—builds upon a unique tradition established a generation ago to make culture count. Their leadership will be essential in transforming communities in every corner of the state.”
The Cultural Trust also extends its deepest gratitude to departing board members Nathalie Johnson, George Kramer, Niki Price and Gayle Yamasaki. “We are incredibly grateful for their years of dedicated service,” added Lewin. “Their commitment has strengthened Oregon’s cultural landscape and left a lasting legacy for the more than 1,700 organizations we support.”
ABOUT THE TRUST’S NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Emily West Hartlerode is the director of the Oregon Folklife Network and a lifelong musician. Hartlerode curates traditional arts programs driven by community need and rooted in cultural heritage. She developed a national research initiative to measure the impact of arts apprenticeships and serves on the Cultural Advocacy Coalition of Oregon.
Rachel Jones is the Director of Education and Engagement at the Britt Music & Arts Festival in Jacksonville. A former Chair of the Jackson County Cultural Coalition, she holds a master’s degree in arts management from American University. Rachel is a staunch advocate for underserved communities and believes the arts offer our truest connection to our shared humanity.
James Dean “J.D.” Kindle of Pendleton has served as Executive Director of the Oregon East Symphony since 2015. Under his leadership, the Symphony has expanded youth education across Umatilla and Morrow counties and the Umatilla Indian Reservation. As a composer and performer rooted in Eastern Oregon, Kindle brings a vital perspective on ensuring cultural investment reflects the creative potential of rural communities.
Nicole Possert became Executive Director of Restore Oregon in 2021. With more than 25 years of experience in historic preservation, fundraising and strategic planning, Possert is a thought-leader for preserving Oregon’s unique heritage. She holds a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the University of Oregon and is passionate about transforming place-based projects that foster community resilience.
