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Our Leadership Team

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Karen White

Chair

Karen White is the owner of Oasis Accents, a home decor gallery that specializes in unique art and accessories. She is a first-generation American, born and raised in Brooklyn, NY to parents of West Indian descent from Barbados and Guyana. Karen attended Cornell University and received her B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations.

 

After college, Karen went on to have a successful 20+ year career in Human Resources that allowed her to work at some well-known consumer products, food and restaurant companies, including Eastman Kodak, Bausch & Lomb, Quaker Oats, FritoLay, and YUM! Brands, which relocated her to Frisco, TX in 2006.

 

At a crossroad in her career journey, Karen decided to leave corporate America. After a lot of reflection and two years of planning, in March 2017 Karen opened Oasis Accents out of her love for decorating and the unavailability of niche home boutiques with unique, quality pieces that are timeless. Today, Oasis Accents sells original artwork from over 20 local artists and high-quality, hand-embellished giclees, home accessories and gifts.

 

Oasis Accents was named by Home Accents Today, the news leader in the home accessories industry, as a 2021 Top 50 Retail Star.  Karen has also been featured in Visit Frisco’s annual publication, Frisco Enterprise, Faces of Frisco, Community Impact Frisco, and Voyage Dallas, an online magazine.

 

Karen is also a member of the board of directors for the Frisco YMCA and the NorthTexas Community Giving Foundation. During her free time, Karen enjoys shopping for her store and interior design, visiting art exhibitions, traveling abroad and exploring new culinary delights.

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Will Odom

Vice Chair

Will Odom is the visionary founder and CEO of The Next Dimension Marketing and Management, LLC, where he harnesses his expertise to achieve success in both the corporate world and the arts industry. With a solid foundation as a Project Manager in Telecommunication and over 25 years of experience in the music sector, Will's passion for the arts is profound. He is recognized as a respected member of the Grammy365 recording academy and serves as the dedicated artist manager for the exceptionally talented singer/songwriter Crystal Cameron, alongside Tiffany Jerrel and the accomplished writer, producer, and director, Chong Kim.

 

Leveraging his extensive background in marketing, public relations, and stage management, Will has excelled in pivotal roles within various organizations. As the Operations Director for You Can Live Again (YCLA), PR Manager for All Things Beautiful & Co., and Co-Producer for the Every 40 Seconds film project, Will has demonstrated his versatility and leadership abilities. Additionally, his contributions as the Marketing Director for The Odom Real Estate Group have been instrumental in driving the company's success.

Notably, Will's expertise extends to event management, where he plays a vital role in curating entertainment for prestigious events such as the annual MLK Jr Luncheon and Justice Award hosted by the Dallas Bar Association. His multifaceted skill set and commitment to excellence make him a valuable asset in any endeavor.

In addition to his professional achievements, Will is recognized for his unwavering commitment to serving the community. He has contributed his time and expertise to numerous national non-profit organizations, serving on the boards of Heels on The Move To Heal, Moss Point Visionary Circle and My Miscarriage Matters. His dedication was further honored with the 2019 Volunteer of the Year award from Frisco Arts.

A lifelong learner, Will holds a range of certificates including PMP, CKT Designer, Network Provisioner, Telecom Business Solution, MEDC, and Six Sigma Yellow Belt. He pursued his higher education at Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana, and currently resides in Frisco with his wife, Lashone.

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Ivy Sun

Treasurer

A lifelong learner turned educator and businesswoman, Ivy Sun is the Executive Vice President of the US-China Chamber of Commerce and Advisory Board Chair of the International Leadership Foundation, Dallas chapter.
 

As Executive Vice President, Ivy is committed to serving the Asian American community and uplifting the younger generation through mentorship, service, and outreach. In 2018, she spearheaded and supported a team of high school students to found DFW’s premier youth business program, Youth Entrepreneur Society. Today, the organization encompasses more than 250 student members spanning 11 school districts in both public and private sectors. In her role as the Advisory Chairwoman, she oversees the organization’s functions and relations within the greater DFW area on behalf of the US-China Chamber of Commerce’s executive team, Ivy has been committed to bringing the arts to students in the business-oriented program, partnering with Frisco Arts for events like the 5K Walk & Run for the past three years.


During her time as the Advisory Board Chair thus far, Ivy has volunteered her time and effort to better serve the International Leadership Foundation and her community. She guides and directs the major functions of the chapter’s operations, providing input and assistance to ILF headquarters in Washington, D.C., and organizes and attends various activities and events to promote civic duty and participation.

Ivy also serves as a committee member on Frisco Independent School District’s Committees and is an active member of Frisco Women’s League, where she was the recipient of the 2019 Member of the year award. 

Prior to her involvement with Frisco Arts, Ivy earned her Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and was a college administrator in China; in 2015, she co-founded an educational consulting company. She is a loving wife and mother to two children: a daughter in college and a son in high school. When she’s not serving her community, Ivy enjoys reading and traveling with her family.

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Donna Schmittler

Secretary

Originally from New York, Donna has been an integral member of Frisco’s community through her vast volunteer work. While on the East Coast, Donna was the legal secretary for the National Labor Relations Board for the Regional Director in Brooklyn, served on the Hospital Board, and was a secretary for a Rabbi, Priest, and Nun!

 

In Frisco, Donna has served as President of the Garden Club, maintaining the gardens for several historic homes and planning the popular Wildflower Luncheon. She was appointed to the Public Art Board, where she curated the Art in the Atrium program featuring local artists. Donna is currently the President of the Heritage Association of Frisco, where she organizes the Shawnee Trail Cowboy Day. During the holidays, you may even see Donna as Mrs. Claus around town! Donna was named 2016 Citizen of the Year by the Frisco Chamber of Commerce for her many years of service to the community. 

 

Donna has three grown children in Nevada, New Jersey, and Texas, and she is the proud grandmother of 4 grandchildren. She’s an avid reader, history buff, and loves to bake and entertain.

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Adrian Escalante

Board Member

Adrian Escalante is a Senior Implementation Manager at Empyrean Benefit Solutions, Inc. With extensive experience in consulting and service delivery, Adrian leverages technology to provide health and benefits administrative solutions, enhancing clients' organizational goals and their employees' benefit experiences. 

 

Adrian is passionate about the arts and their potential to enrich local culture and strengthen community relationships. He advocates for the arts to be celebrated, accessible, and integrated into all aspects of the community.

 

As a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Adrian has held several leadership positions, including Immediate Past President of the Xi Tau Lambda Alumni Chapter of North Dallas County. Adrian has also served on the boards of the Sankofa Foundation of DFW and the Heritage Green Homeowners Association.

 

Adrian and his wife, Suzy, have been residents of Frisco for ten years and are parents to their canine companion, Ca$h. In his free time, Adrian enjoys photography, cooking, watching movies, fitness, traveling, and cheering on the Dallas Mavericks and Baylor Bears. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Information Systems from Baylor University.

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Brad Huff

Board Member

Brad is a Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo where he helps clients plan and achieve their financial goals. A former high school physics teacher, Brad sees unique connections in diverse concepts, and he personifies this in his love of arts, business, and sports.

 

Brad enjoys serving the community in various ways. Not only is Brad an Ambassador for the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, he was selected to be in the inaugural class of the Frisco Arts Ambassadors and is the Chair of the Frisco Arts Walk and Run 5K, connecting artists, musicians, and dancers to our community. Brad's innovative ideas merging arts and health have resulted in an inspiring, creative event for all ages.

 

Brad also served as President of the Texas Association of Golf Coaches and as President of the North Texas Golf Coaches Association, making Texas high school golf better for student athletes through his leadership.

 

Brad and his wife Laura have lived in Frisco for 18 years and have 2 sons, ages 15 and 11. When not working, you can find Brad at every baseball field in DFW, playing guitar, playing golf or reading. An avid consumer of the arts, Brad looks forward to attending live music events, plays, and visiting museums again soon. 

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Elizabeth Morrow

Board Member

Elizabeth Morrow is the Event curator at the Lincoln Experience Center at the Star, a luxury showroom for Lincoln Automotive. Elizabeth's background is in catering, event planning, and overall hospitality with over 30 years of experience.

Under Elizabeth's leadership, the Lincoln Experience Center at the Star received the 2019 Corporate Partner of the Year Arts Impact award for their strong support of the arts community. The LEC hosts a variety of monthly events including exhibits featuring local artists, live music, assorted hands-on workshops, informative panel discussion, community events and more. Elizabeth loves making connections and building relationships with her guests along with her community partners and Star neighbors.

Elizabeth is a Dallas native and has lived in Frisco for 20 years, where she and her husband have raised their 5 children. Prior to working at the LEC, the couple ran a successful catering company together for 23 years. She was heavily focused on customer relations, event planning, and overall event management and execution.

Elizabeth is also an artist, lover of art, and has a passion for creativity. When she is fully relaxed, you'll find her sipping on a cold glass of chardonnay and listening to music while painting her next "masterpiece" in the spare bedroom at home.

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Will Pearce

Board Member

Will Pearce is an Executive Partner at New York Life insurance company, responsible for managing the North Dallas Sales Office. He started his career with NYL in 2002 as an adviser in the Baton Rouge Louisiana general office and then chose a direction in management which brought him to the DFW area as a corporate vice president. In 2013 he decided to open an office in Frisco.

 

Will believes that the arts bring balance and fresh inspiration in a corporate environment, and it also connects diverse cultures, which is representative of New York Life. Through Will's partnership, New York Life has been a core sponsor of the Frisco Arts Walk and Run, helping to make it the most culturally diverse 5K in Frisco.

 

Will's hobbies include anything outdoors, cooking, hanging out with his amazing wife Bridgette, his somewhat decent three children (all depends on the day) Brady, Avery, and Addison, and watching LSU sports. Will loves the arts even though he admits his artistic talents are extremely limited, unless it is 80's music trivia. He looks forward to spreading the word of all the positive impact the arts is having in this area!

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Sherry Lambe

Director of Finance

Sherry Lambe is the former Vice President, Finance & Controller at United Way of Dallas and was the Director of Finance at Susan G. Komen for the Cure for 8 years. Sherry served as CFO of the Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance, and CFO of Jonathan's Place. She received her Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting and Computer Science from Texas A&M University, and a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) and Nonprofit Finance from University of North Texas. 

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