From Outsider to Insider, Opening Doors for Others

Early in my relationship with art, I learned that who gets to tell stories in the art world isn't accidental. It's determined by power structures, from boards to curators to advisors, that decide whose voices matter and which artists gain recognition.

At my undergrad at UC Berkeley, I realized I could move from observer to participant in shaping these cultural narratives. Working with artists and scholars opened my eyes to how the art ecosystem functions, and more importantly, how it could function differently.

Today, I help successful professionals identify exceptional artists before the market recognizes them, because I understand how the system works. I know how to spot authentic talent before it reaches mainstream attention.

My approach goes beyond transactions. I believe that when we support artists strategically, we create value for collectors while contributing to a more dynamic and inclusive art world. The best collections don't just follow trends—they help shape the future of contemporary culture

Current Work

Collection Management and Cultural Stewardship

Director of Collections, Olivia Collection and Foundation (2023–Present) I oversee a museum-quality collection of hundreds of artworks across multiple properties in Los Angeles and Mexico City. This role encompasses everything I offer private clients: professional cataloging and documentation, exhibition coordination across private residences, conservation oversight, and cultural programming development.

Recent exhibitions I've organized include:

  • Between Us (2024) - Inaugural exhibition at Olivia Foundation, Mexico City, curated by Diana Nawi

  • Woman in a Rowboat (2024) - Collection presentation highlighting abstract art from post-war to contemporary, curated by Diana Nawi

Private Collection Consulting (2021–Present) I work with discerning collectors to build meaningful, lasting collections through comprehensive guidance, strategic acquisitions, and ongoing stewardship. My clients range from professionals building their first serious collections to established collectors seeking curatorial insight for growth and refinement.


Professional Background

Art World Experience

Programming Director, Various Small Fires, Los Angeles (2022) Managed relationships with represented artists, coordinated exhibition planning and art fair participation, and guided collection development strategies for the gallery's collector base.

Sales Associate & Artist Liaison, Shulamit Nazarian (Nazarian/Curcio), Los Angeles (2021–2022) Developed understanding of the commercial art market while stewarding relationships with artists and collectors. Led curatorial efforts for group exhibitions, including Midnight Murmurs, featuring new relationships with Asian/Asian-American artists.

Public Engagement Program Developer, Oakland Museum of California (2018–2021) Researched, developed, and executed large-scale public programs that amplified exhibitions and contributed directly to the museum's cultural impact. Notable projects included Exploring Public Art Practice, a day-long conference sponsored by the Kenneth Rainin Foundation.

Curator & Director of Public Programs, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art (2016–2018) Proposed, researched, and oversaw 10-12 contemporary art exhibitions annually while developing comprehensive public programming, including artist lectures, professional development workshops, and performance initiatives.

Selected Curatorial Projects

Independent Exhibitions

Suspended Matter | Berkeley Art Center | 2021-2022
Curated by Patricia Cariño Valdez
Group exhibition examining the sentiments and materiality of unsettled times, featuring Julia Goodman, Asma Kazmi, Laura Arminda Kingsley, and Jenifer K Wofford.

Super Sarap | Asia Society Houston | 2019
Second iteration, first at Gallery 6/67 Santa Ana, 2018
Groundbreaking exhibition exploring Filipino cuisine and culture through contemporary art, the first Filipino-American exhibition at Asia Society Texas. Featured work by Mik Gaspay, Jeanne F. Jalandoni, O.M. France Viana, and Charlene Tan.

DIALECTS | Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco | 2019
Soundwave 9 Performance Festival
Collaborative performance project with artist Szu-Han Ho exploring sounds, songs, and stories about migration and displacement.

Samuel Levi Jones: Talk to Me | Pro Arts Oakland | 2015 new site-specific installation

San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art (2016-2018)

  • Sonic Futures - Group exhibition centered on sound and music elements

  • Next New Games - Exploration of games as artistic practice

  • On Your Left - Cultural significance of the bicycle as transportation and art object

  • Oliver Lee Jackson: Composed Works 1984-2016 - Major retrospective of the Oakland-based artist Oliver Lee Jackson

  • Julia Anne Goodman: Unearthed - site-specific installation with satellite exhibition at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco

Great collections aren't built on trends or investment potential alone. They're built on genuine connection: between you and the work, between the work and your space, between your collection and the larger cultural conversation. My job is to help you make those connections with confidence and joy.

Having managed collections from artist studios to major institutions, I understand that the most rewarding collecting experiences happen when expertise meets genuine passion. Whether you're acquiring your first serious piece or expanding an established collection, I bring the same standards I apply to museum-quality collections to your personal collecting journey.

Recognition & Speaking

Leadership & Advisory Roles

  • Public Art Advisory Committee, Oakland, CA (2017–2020) - Appointed by Mayor, approved by City Council

  • Advisory Board Member, Emerging Arts Professionals San Francisco/Bay Area (2016–2018)


Speaking & Education

  • Guest Lecturer: Stanford University, UC Berkeley, San Francisco State University, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Arizona State University

  • Selection Panelist: San Francisco Arts Commission public art projects

  • Juror: Various institutional exhibitions and scholarship programs

Press & Recognition

  • Featured in Berkeleyside, Houston Chronicle, LA Times, Daily Serving

  • Independent Curators International Curatorial Intensive, Manila 2016

Education & Personal Note

Master of Arts in Curatorial Practice | California College of the Arts, San Francisco | 2014
Honors: Diversity Scholarship, CCA General Scholarship, Student Travel Grant

Bachelor of Arts in History of Art | University of California, Berkeley | 2010