Our Team

Drawing on over two decades of experience working in the arts at world-class institutions, Elysia Dawn measurably demonstrates her advocacy for the organizations she serves with business acumen and artistry. With a background in professional ballet and a Nonprofit Management master’s degree from Columbia University, Elysia has worked for organizations including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Florence Dance Festival at the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, the Frick Collection, and GALLIM.

At The Met, she helped annually produce hundreds of events for MetLiveArts, more than tripled their audience in the hundreds of thousands, and increased their funding by over a third of their annual budget. While serving as Fundraising Director for GALLIM, Elysia created a comprehensive fundraising plan through the pandemic that resulted in their most ambitious and successful initiative to date, increasing contributions by over twofold and founding their Artist in Residence program.

Receiving multiple King’s Crown Leadership Awards as well as a community service award from Columbia University, Elysia was recognized for serving the Columbia Ballet Collaborative as their Artistic Director and founder of both their Outreach Program and the Ivy Ballet Exchange. Prior to receiving her master's degree from Columbia, she received her bachelors’ degree at the university with a major in Art History and a minor in Business Management. She’s since been a featured speaker at Columbia and served on the board of its General Studies Alumni Association.

Elysia is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of individuals and the communities we constitute. She greatly values devoting her passion and professionalism toward strengthening organizations to achieve their vision and improve the conditions of the world we live in. A Naples native, Elysia enjoys spending her free time dancing, teaching Pilates, dining, and being with family and friends, especially by or in our beautiful beaches and great outdoors. She is honored to be a member of Leadership Collier Foundation’s Class of 2024.

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Rachael Lord has lived in Southwest Florida for over a decade. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre from Florida Southern College, and is currently pursuing an MFA in Writing from Lindenwood University. Rachael is passionate about leading and teaching the next generation of artists. As a teaching artist at various arts organizations across Florida, she inspired children to hone their individual skills, build confidence, and follow their dreams. She couldn't be more thrilled to serve as the Education Program Manager and work to provide arts education classes to the students of Collier County. Rachael is the author of Fragile Hearts Club (Nymeria Publishing, 2021) and works regionally as a professional actress.

As a Florida native, Martina is proud to serve Collier County as the Community Engagement Coordinator. Hailing all the way from up the street, Martina grew up in Fort Myers surrounded by & immersed in the arts. At an early age, she became involved in the performing arts which lead her to obtain a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theatre from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. In addition, she served art organizations such as The Young Artist Program affiliated with the Alliance for the Arts.  Martina still performs regionally and internationally, with her most recent credit as a solo headliner with her show “Women of the 60’s” for Carnival Cruise Lines.

Madeline Trigilio is thrilled to serve as United Arts Collier’s Projects Administrator. After having completed an internship with UAC, she is honored to be returning to the team. She is finishing up her senior year at Elon University pursuing a B.F.A. in Dance Performance and Choreography and a B.A. in Arts Administration, with a minor in Business Administration. She has a passion for arts advocacy as well as women's empowerment. In 2022, she founded Elon University’s chapter of We Are Queens, a non-profit organization committed to redefining the starving artist myth. She is a Rhoades Scholar, conducting research on gender representation in children's media. Her research will culminate in her choreographing a full length contemporary dance performance to be presented in March, 2024. She worked as a Development Intern at Artis–Naples, as well as a Social Media Marketing Intern at eCaring. Madeline is excited to continue serving the Collier community!

Jackie Zorn brings nearly two decades of visual arts and professional exhibition experience to the United Arts Collier team.  As the former registrar for Artis—Naples, The Baker Museum of Naples Florida and the Aspen Art Museum of Aspen Colorado, Jackie oversaw all aspects of the museum collections and exhibitions. She organized hundreds of museum exhibitions from conception to circulation and consolidation to dispersal while managing all aspects of a growing permanent collection as well as intellectual property i.e., fielding rights and reproductions requests and image uses.  She holds a BFA in 2-dimensonal fine art from Western Colorado University and currently lives works and continues to paint in Naples Florida.

President (2020-present)

Vice President, Arts Planet. Past Chairman, Grand Piano Series. Past Program Director, CAPA Cultural and Performings Arts Center. Retired, Federal Aviation Administration.

Vice President (2018-present)

Matt’s commitment to United Arts Collier stems from his roots as a Naples native, his upbringing in the world of fine woodwork, and his passion for the arts. Born and raised in Naples, Matt has witnessed the explosive growth of Collier County and understands the responsibility and influence its citizens, local businesses & organizations, and local government have on the culture, vitality, and direction of the community.

Now 2nd generation owner & CEO Thomas Riley Artisans’ Guild (a provider of fine interior woodwork, furniture, and finishes), as well as, founding partner of Method & Concept (a contemporary art gallery & design studio), Matt witnesses the power of arts and artisanship on a daily basis, not only for the beauty the they bring to our surroundings but the economic impact and opportunities the arts provide.

As the state designated Local Arts Agency (LAA), Matt sees UAC as being uniquely positioned to be a driving force for Collier County to be a thriving and diverse arts community and making the arts and arts education accessible to all citizens of Collier County.

Matt is for President of the UAC Board of Directors and former co-chair of the 2017 Stars in the Arts Awards Gala.

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Ken Westphal began his career as an auditor at the big eight accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand in Richmond, Virginia in 1974, and later moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota to become a partner with Adrian Helgeson & Co.  In 1998, he accepted the position of Vice President for Finance and Treasurer at Gustavus Adolphus College, a liberal arts college.  He held that role through 2016, applying his expertise in budget processes, investments, and risk management.  During the course of those twenty-eight years, he developed a greater appreciation for the arts in the overall development of young women and men.  Ken served on the EIIA board from 1994-2016, and is currently on the board of First National Bank Minnesota, a position he has held since 1996.

Ken is passionate about international travel with his wife, Kristi, and enjoys spending time with their grandchildren.

Secretary (June 2022-present)

Laura Alexander is an independent consultant, helping businesses and non-profit organizations achieve strategic growth. Laura’s background is a mix of legal, operations and merchandising leadership roles. Most recently she held the position of SVP, Chief Merchandising Officer for Regis Corporation, the global hair salon leader. She also owned the organization's relationship with Walmart, operating more than 2,000 salons in the US and Canada.  Laura received her BA from Mount Holyoke College and JD from William Mitchell College of Law, and is a member of the Minnesota Bar Association. Laura and her husband spend most of their free time traveling with family, including their three young children. Laura is passionate about improving access to all forms of art, particularly for underserved populations.

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Daria L. Foster is Managing Partner of Lord Abbett, an independent, privately held investment firm. In addition, Ms. Foster serves as President and Director of Lord Abbett Mutual Funds. She also serves as a Director of Lord Abbett Passport Portfolios plc, a pooled investment fund organized in Ireland and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

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As Managing Partner, Ms. Foster is responsible for the global operations of the firm, including investment management, institutional investment services, private wealth services, marketing, and relationship management, as well as operations, technology,
and legal services.

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Ms. Foster has more than 30 years of financial services industry experience, more than  half of which has been with Lord Abbett. She joined the firm in 1990 as Director of Fixed-Income Marketing, and was responsible for establishing the firm’s institutional investment business. Named a Partner in 1996, she was instrumental in developing numerous new investment products, and working closely with operations, technology, client services, legal, and trading to facilitate implementation of these capabilities. Ms. Foster’s accomplishments include expanding the firm’s institutional sales and marketing groups, which grew from $2 billion to nearly $35 billion in assets, establishing institutional investment processes, and having an influential role in attracting and hiring new portfolio managers and other investment personnel. In 2005, she was named the Director of Global Client Services, and led the effort to combine and integrate the retail and institutional investment services businesses. In 2006, she was elected Director and President of Lord Abbett Mutual Funds, and she was named Managing Partner of Lord Abbett in 2007.

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Prior to joining Lord Abbett, Ms. Foster served as Vice President of Marketing for the Chemical Investment Group. Earlier in her career, she served as Vice President and Manager for the Irving Trust Co.; Assistant Vice President of Marine Midland Bank, N.A.; and Assistant Treasurer for Chase Manhattan Bank.

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Ms. Foster is Chairman of the board of trustees of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, serves as a Director on the board of the New York Philharmonic, and is the Chairman of  ReadWorks, a nonprofit organization committed to creating a culture of academic excellence in urban elementary schools. Ms. Foster earned a BA from Gettysburg College and was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters from St. Bonaventure University.

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Director (2018-present)

Jennifer O’Dell grew up in Fairfield, Connecticut and has lived full time in Naples since 1999.  She and her husband, Scott, are co-founders of The Wellington Group at Morgan Stanley, a financial advisory team for high-net worth individuals and families. They and their team provide a personalized, boutique-like financial planning and wealth management experience for their clients. This five-star service approach, combined with access to the tremendous array of tools and resources through Morgan Stanley allow them to deliver comprehensive and customized financial solutions with the highest standards of care. Jennifer and Scott have two grown sons, Ryan and Colin. They, like their parents, appreciate the beauty and lifestyle of South Florida. Currently, they are all living in Naples and have all been enjoying the family time. Jennifer is looking forward to the many exciting things UAC has in store for the community!

Director (2022-present)

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Raegan Gillette is an entertainment executive passionate about exploring the intersection of music, art, and culture — and the role they play in uplifting and enriching communities. Born and raised in Clearwater Florida, Raegan spent 8 years living in New York before moving to back to Southwest Florida in 2022. In her current role as Brand Director for Live Nation, she works closely with the world’s biggest artists and brands — including Coldplay, Katy Perry, Dave Matthews, Amazon, Citi, Hilton, Verizon and more — to create and manage immersive brand activations, world-class concerts, and in-person art and media experiences nationwide. She’s also responsible for launching Citi Sound Vault, a platform that brings fans closer to their favorite artists through exclusive, intimate private shows. Raegan believes art and music play an integral role in community development, and she’s interested in leveraging her 10+ years of expertise and connections to bring more of both to Southwest Florida.

EILEEN SMITH

Director (March 2023-present)

Eileen Smith brings to UAC a diverse background in management, technology, human resources, teaching, and collaborative leadership. She is a licensed therapist and owner of Personalized Counseling Center in Naples. In addition to teaching psychology at Fairleigh Dickinson University, she has been a guest lecturer at various universities including FAU in Boca Raton. Prior to this, she has held positions in Information Technology at Chase Manhattan Bank and Human Resources at Prudential Financial. Eileen has an undergraduate degree from the University of New York at Albany and holds a master’s degree in Marriage & Family Therapy from Kean University.

Appreciation of the performing and fine arts is a main stay in Eileen’s life – from guitar to singing and piano. She has performed with the All-City NYC Chorus, Delray Beach Chorale, and North Carolina’s Burke County Women’s Chorus. Additionally, she has supported various arts organizations including the Garden State Ballet in New Jersey. Eileen sees UAC as a vital link between the arts and the community and is highly energized to share how the arts contribute to the quality of life.  

Since 2020, Eileen and her husband have resided in Naples and also enjoy spending time surrounded by the beauty of nature and local music at their lake home in the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina.

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