Board

Emily Knapp

President

Emily Knapp is Chief of Staff of the Berggruen Institute, a global think tank with centers in Los Angeles, Venice, and Beijing that forges new conceptual frameworks to meet the challenges and harness the opportunities of the arriving future. In her role of Chief of Staff, Emily supports the integration of work across the Institute's research programs, operations, incubated projects, events, communications, and external affairs. She also supports executive leadership to drive long-term strategic initiatives across the Institute's global centers and institutional partnerships with universities and publishers.

Sydney Roberts

Secretary

A passionate community activist with over ten years in the nonprofit sector supporting San Diego's most vulnerable neighbors, Sydney Roberts is an expert in Community Education and Engagement. Recognized for her resonant, enthusiastic, and sincere approach to work and relationships, she holds a current certification in using art and play to heal through trauma-informed techniques and is an expert at creating brave spaces that foster learning and growth.

Robert S.
Leathers

Co-Founder

An architect who has completed more than 2,000 architectural projects in all 50 states and eight foreign countries, and an award-winning fiber artist, Bob Leathers has been featured in numerous leading publications and television programs. While maintaining a studio practice, Bob devotes most of his time to developing Space 4 Art’s wholly owned, multidisciplinary, community-based Arts Center, which will serve the entire San Diego region.

Cheryl
Nickel

Co-Founder

A member of Allied Craftsmen of San Diego, Cheryl Nickel holds a master’s degree in landscape architecture and has exhibited in many gallery and museum exhibitions. The founder of Space 4 Art’s educational outreach program, Cheryl is involved in community art projects incorporating STEAM education at schools, parks, and playgrounds, while also maintaining a studio practice.

Michael Stepner, FAIA FAICP

Michael Stepner is a Professor Emeritus of Architecture and Urban Design at the NewSchool of Architecture and Design, where he previously served as Dean and Chair of the Architecture Programs. Prior to joining the faculty at the NewSchool, Mike was a member of the San Diego City Planning Department for 28 years, serving as both Planning Director and City Architect. Through both roles, he was the driving force behind the redevelopment of the historic Gaslamp Quarter, and other planning, design, and development initiatives.

Lindsey
Suda

A Digital Marketing and Communications expert with 15 years’ experience in the field, Lindsey Suda previously served as a volunteer in guiding the organization’s Social Media strategy. She plays a critical role as thought/implementation partner in executing new philanthropic strategies with our staff.

Jacob
Sundstrom

Martha
Zapata

Lourans Mikhail

Lawrence Herzog, Ph.D.

Linda Litteral

Resident Artist

An artist and researcher with experience in both academia and industry, Jacob Sundstrom is a founding member of the art collective "_____" (Five Underscores) and has created multimedia art installations that have been exhibited worldwide, including venues such as the National Gallery of Art, the Daegu Art Factory, and the Center on Contemporary Art in Seattle. Jacob is currently a data scientist at Thrackle and a resident artist at Space 4 Art.

A longtime community activist, Martha Zapata recently retired from serving as the Director of Community Outreach for San Diego’s City Council District 9. In addition to years of service with the City before retiring, Martha is an ardent volunteer with the San Diego Symphony, the Old Globe Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, and the San Diego Repertory Company.

Lourans Mikhail is a multifaceted creative based in San Diego after honorably serving for 13 years as a U.S. Marine. Working in the media of sculpture, painting, murals, and graphic design, Lourans explores different perspectives and challenges the complex narratives of socioeconomics, culture, politics, and race.

Inspired by his Assyrian heritage, graffiti, comics, anime, cartoons, and fine art, Lourans works in between the realms of low brow and pop surrealism. The use of wordplay and perspective is extensively used either figuratively or literally depending on the message and media used.

Lawrence Herzog (Ph.D.) is a Design Scholar in Residence at UCSD Design Lab and Lecturer in the Department of Urban Studies & Planning at UC San Diego. He is also a writer and previously taught city planning in the School of Public Affairs at SDSU. Larry is author or editor of 11 books on urban planning, design, sustainable and global/cross-border development, has been Fulbright Scholar in Peru and the UK, and has served as consultant to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Peru and Bolivia. Since 2022, he has co-produced and hosted the “Whose City” podcast on cross-border issues and urban planning/design in the California-Baja California region.

Resident Artist

A member of Allied Craftsman of San Diego and Emeritus Director of the Feminist Image Group (FIG), Linda Litteral has taught art at Donovan State Prison, as well as at San Diego State University, San Diego Community College District, Southwestern and Grossmont College districts. In 2018, Linda was awarded a residency at Centre Pompadour, an institution based in France that supports women artists creating social change through their art. Linda is also the author of a new memoir, “Show and Tell: Healing from Trauma Through Art.” She is teaching at Las Colinas and East Mesa Detention Centers under an Art for Healing Grant from Prebys Foundation through 2025.