Executive Board
Jordan Zarwel, PRESIDENT
Jordan is an Ivy/ Henley/ Western alum and excited to return as a parent to support a non profit that she holds close to her heart. She has three young children, the oldest of whom is in third grade. Having majored in the fine arts in college, Jordan has maintained an active participation and interest in promoting it both at home and in the community. She is looking forward to the many opportunities AWE encourages and provides students. Email Jordan.
Mairi Townsend, vice-PRESIDENT
Mairi was exposed to the arts at a young age—she sang and performed in musicals in school and comes from a family of artists. Her mother is a painter and her sister is a high school art teacher and practicing artist. Through her sister’s work as a high school art teacher, Mairi has seen the important work of arts teachers and their influential role in so many students’ lives.
Mairi joined the AWE board because she wants her own two children (2nd grade and preschool) to have access to vibrant arts programs and to have the opportunity to explore everything the arts have to offer. Mairi believes that AWE’s work and grant program provide meaningful support to our teachers, allowing their limited budgets to stretch further for classroom materials and to provide scholarships for their students in need.
Ellen Spangler, Co-Treasurer
Since she could hold a pencil, Ellen has always been passionate about self-expression and the power of the arts. A graduate of Charlottesville City Schools, Ellen considers her orchestra and art teachers among her biggest inspirations. Ellen has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 20 years, with half that time spent in museums spearheading arts education programs for all ages. Ellen’s passion evolved into storytelling and fundraising, and she now has a consulting business that supports organizations with finding and landing grants. Ellen has two children (2nd and 6th grade) who both share her love of the arts and she joined the AWE board to ensure that they find their own inspiration from well-supported arts teachers.
robyn neathery, co-TREASURER
While Robyn was in school, she participated in band and drama, performing in plays from 2nd grade until her senior year of high school. Growing up participating in the arts, she saw firsthand how much arts teachers have to make their resources stretch. Robyn has children in 8th grade, 5th grade, 2nd grade, and preschool. Robyn joined the AWE board because AWE is a great way to support multiple schools at once and show support to programs that are often underfunded in public schools.
laura neu, secretary
Laura is a third grade teacher at Crozet Elementary School. Her children have attended ACPS schools and have greatly benefited from participation in various art programs including annual music class performances, elementary school variety shows, middle school band, orchestra and choir, and now the WAHS band and musical theater. Laura has been a lifelong supporter of the arts, spending many school years on a stage herself, and hopes to continue to support quality and equitable access to art education in the Albemarle County Public Schools. Email Laura