Anita Shah, Managing Director, ACT Contemporary Theatre

Anita Shah is an accomplished arts and entertainment executive with 25+ years of experience in the arts, entertainment, and events industry. Anita hails from New York City, where she worked with organizations such as Lincoln Center, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Good Morning America, New York Live Arts, Blue Man Group, and on numerous Broadway productions.

Anita has had a long career in the theater, beginning as a technician and designer, then transitioning into production management, venue management, producing, and executive organizational leadership. Anita has stewarded productions across the nation and internationally. This unique perspective of insight at numerous areas of our industry informs her work in creating more supportive and equitable work spaces in the pursuit of making transformative theatrical experiences.

Anita is a strong advocate of the arts with a proven track record of accomplishments, including the ability to generate and implement vision and strategy on all levels of an organization while prioritizing team leadership. Anita received her BFA from Emerson College.

Jared Nieuwenhuis, Deputy Mayor, City of Bellevue, WA

Deputy Mayor Jared Nieuwenhuis was elected to the council in November 2017, for a four-year term starting in January 2018. His focus is on neighborhoods and results-oriented local government. He was chosen deputy mayor in January 2020 and again in January 2022.

Jared represents the council on the King County Growth Management Planning Council, the Association of Washington Cities Federal Legislative Priorities Committee and the Eastside Human Services Forum Executive Board. He is council liaison to the Human Services Commission.

In his professional life, Jared manages marketing and communications for entertainment software publisher Kalypso Media Group. Jared is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, pursued graduate studies at Brown University and is a graduate of both the Advance Bellevue and Bellevue Essentials community leadership programs.

Before joining the council, Jared served on the Bellevue Parks & Community Services Board. He has also served on the following other boards: Lifewire (which helps domestic violence victims), The Sophia Way (which helps women experiencing homelessness), the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce’s public affairs committee and the Lake Hills Neighborhood Association.

Kate Casprowiak Scher, Interim Executive Director, Bellevue Arts Museum

Kate Casprowiak Scher is the Interim Executive Director at Bellevue Arts Museum, with a background in art history. She has held various academic positions, including faculty roles at Portland State University, Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, and Bellevue College, where she earned tenure and served for 11 years. Kate also chaired the Art Department at Bellevue College for two years. In addition to her academic career, she is an accomplished curator with over a decade of experience in art research and history. Furthermore, she is an associate member of the Appraisers Association of America and a qualified art appraiser. Kate is known for her advocacy of diversity and inclusion in the arts and actively promotes these values.

Dr. Julie Miller, President, Dr. Julie Miller Inc. and Member, BAM Board of Trustees

Dr. Miller serves on two boards at the University of Southern California and is a member of the Rotary Club of Bellevue, Washington. She was awarded the Women Business Owners (WBO) Excellence Award, the Helen Thayer Woman of the Year Award, and been voted Volunteer of the Year twice for her work with the YMCA. She serves as a Trustee for Cascadia College and as a member of the Board of Trustees at Bellevue Arts Museum.

Dr. Julie sits on two advisory boards: City University's Entrepreneurship program and Collective Changes: An economic empowerment and leadership mentoring program for women.