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Meet our Project Be Talks team members below!

Dr. Wanda Chaves is an educator, organizational consultant, and entrepreneur. Wanda has been a professor of management, leadership, psychology, and business of art and design at the University of South Carolina, Ringling College of Art and Design, Washington State University, the University of Tampa, the University of South Florida, and St. Pete College.  She teaches at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

 

She worked as an internal consultant for Walt Disney World for many years in the areas of leadership and executive development; organization development; learning and development; and at the Disney Institute. She has also developed creative projects with organizations such as Cirque Du Soleil, Microsoft Games, Hasbro Toys, Converse, Sesame Street, The Dali Museum, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Clean the World, Moonbot Studios, Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, and The Jim Henson Co.   Wanda loves to travel and explore far off places. Wanda has Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and French from the University of Tampa and a Doctorate degree In Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of South Florida.

Wanda

Jennifer Chaves, M. Ed. is an educator and observer who admires the simplicity and beauty of nature. Jen has worked on creative projects for the Ringling College of Art and Design, the Pacific Northwest College of Art, Hasbro Toys, and The CREO Institute.  Jennifer has also worked in roles that have allowed her to integrate her passion for the environment, animals, and education. 

 

Jennifer has worked at Zoo Atlanta in their Education Department; at Disney's Animal Kingdom conducting Animal Behavior Research as well as at the Disney Learning Centers; and also as a Veterinary Technician. Jennifer has a Bachelor's in Biology from Oglethorpe University and a Master's in Education from the University of Georgia.

Jen

Sadie Stetson is an illustrator, writer, and editor. Sadie has worked on a wide variety of creative projects with organizations like Cirque du Soleil, Microsoft Game Studios, Moose Studios, The CREO Institute, Creative Arts Limited, and more, playing many roles from project manager to content creator.

 

She is driven by one goal: finding the story that needs to be told.  Her favorite role is adventurer, having just returned from spending a year teaching in China.  Sadie has a Bachelor's in the Business of Art and Design from the Ringling College of Art and Design.

Sadie

Natascha Johnson is a multidisciplinary designer who creates large experiential spaces, installations, works for galleries, video games, animation, 360° integrated advertising, print, signage, digital, videos, and more.

 

Natascha has worked on a diverse range of projects for companies and brands, which include History Channel, Creative Arts Unlimited, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Rolls Royce, Bentley, and Cadillac.

 

Natascha studied Illustration and Business of Art and Design at Ringling College of Art and Design.

Natascha

Ximena Fernandez Castro is a filmmaker, visual artist & designer, and social marketer.  Ximena worked as an Executive Producer for Medio&Medio films in Montevideo, Uruguay. 

 

She has collaborated on many creative projects for organizations such as The CREO Institute and Cirque du Soleil.  Recently, she was the Co-creator and Director of SeeLanka, a film project in Sri Lanka. Ximena has a Bachelor's in Film from Ringling College of Art and Design.

Ximena

Luis has twenty years of experience providing technology solutions and support in the academic, government, and entertainment industries. His career began with web development, morphed to technology support, and in the last few years has assisted clients with process and workflow re-engineering.

 

His passion is to help clients unlock their potential through the use of technology. He unwinds by cooking at home, and being new to New England, he is currently exploring the Pioneer Valley with his husband and their dog.  Luis has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology.

Luis

Casey Ligon is a lettering artist, muralist, chalk art aficionado, and part time Instagram-er. She's currently freelancing full time in Florida. Casey received her BFA from Ringling College of Art and Design, with honors. She also has a minor in Business of Art and Design. After completing an internship at Hallmark Cards, Inc. between her Junior and Senior year of college, Casey picked up a full time job in their Marketing Design Studio.

 

After two years at Hallmark, Casey went on to make all kinds of crazy/crafty/hand-lettered stuff for Barkley, the largest employee-owned advertising agency in the U.S. She was lucky enough to work for awesome clients like Dairy Queen, Vanity Fair Lingerie, Wingstop, and Ball Canning, among many other incredible brands. 

Casey

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