Community Advisory Council

About the Community Advisory Council

The Community Advisory Council supports the museum to better serve surrounding communities and regional audiences. By intentionally seeking out and incorporating community feedback and interests into core functions and early planning stages, Crystal Bridges and The Momentary will increase their relevance and accountability by becoming better aligned within the region it serves.

Given the importance of this group to the museum, information about the Council will be shared on the museum’s website. Furthermore, each Council Member will be invited and recognized at special events, such as Director's Receptions and Opening Lectures.

Each Council Member’s input and feedback will be included in meeting notes that will be shared back with the group. A follow-up report from departments on how feedback can be implemented will also be shared. At the end of the council session, a full report from the Museum’s Research and Evaluation team will be provided. These will be produced alongside a full, end-of-year report synthesizing the year’s activities, accomplishments, resolutions, the members’ reflections, and recommendations for improving the Council structure. A team member may also invite you to participate in an optional exit interview about your experience to make improvements.

The council member term is one year, including attendance at all sessions throughout 2026. At the end of the year, we will assess the council members' continuation for the next year.

Current Council Members

Srividya Venkatasubramanya

Srividya Venkatasubramanya is a small business owner, mentor and arts administrator who seeks creative and authentic solutions to challenges in the art world. As an administrator, she sees the imbalances in opportunity and training across artists and addresses that by working with existing resources and organizations to also see and recognize these gaps. She gives talks, provides trainings and mentoring opportunities for artists and administrators to find their courage and confidence to take their next step. She is currently the Executive Director of Ra-Ve Cultural Foundation that she founded in 2018.

Laurie Bowers

I am a retired teacher and corporate training manager who loves turning ideas and learning into fun and engaging experiences. I spend my personal time gardening, painting, and crafting. I especially enjoy sharing my talents and often host painting and mosaic or pottery classes for adults and children. I’m fortunate to have family living here in Bentonville so my greatest passion is enjoying my grandchildren on bicycle trail rides, cooking, camping, and traveling. Recently I traveled with my 17 year old grandson to Spain, Italy and Sicily. I’ve lived and worked in Japan and South America and have traveled to 50+ countries, but I am blessed to have Crystal Bridges and The Momentary experiences and events in my hometown.

Paola Lopez

Paola Lopez (she/her) is a dynamic leader with more than 16 years of experience advancing business startups and higher education, with a focus on belonging, access, and leadership development. A proud Puerto Rican raised in Oklahoma, she has dedicated her career to expanding equitable opportunities for underserved communities.

At the University of Oklahoma, Paola increased Latino student enrollment by 7% through an innovative admissions model and the impactful “La Universidad de Oklahoma” campaign. At Hamilton College, she revitalized the Days-Massolo Center into a thriving cultural hub serving more than 25% of the student body, strengthening campus-wide inclusion and community engagement.

A 2018 Oklahoma Gazette Forty Under 40 honoree, Paola previously led LatinXNA at Serve2Perform, where she launched and scaled the Talent Accelerator program, achieving an 88% promotion rate among participants. An active member of the Salvation Army Board in Northwest Arkansas, contributing strategic leadership to community impact efforts.

Today, Paola is an engaged member of the Northwest Arkansas community, investing her leadership first and foremost in her role as a full-time, first-time mother while remaining actively connected to the region’s civic and professional landscape.

Jessica Street

Jessica Street has been a county 4-H agent in Benton County, Arkansas for 21 years. She is passionate about the 4-H livestock and leadership programs. Jessica’s favorite part of her job is watching her members grow and reach their goals.

Benjamin Edwards

I have been employed and engaged in the Northwest Arkansas non-profit ecosystem, specifically related to arts and education, for over twenty years. I have two decades of experience employed in exhibition management for museums and art galleries. As an independent consultant, I have worked to present exhibitions and programs for Visit Bentonville, Walton Arts Center, Downtown Bentonville Inc., and many other organizations and clients. I am an award-winning artist who maintains an active exhibition practice from my studio in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Sean Kent

Sean Kent is the Founder and Executive Director of the Ozark Adaptive Sports Association (OZASA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to outdoor recreation and competitive sports for individuals with physical disabilities across Northwest Arkansas. Since moving to the region in 2018, Sean has led the growth of OZASA from concept to a thriving organization that provides year-round programming, competitive opportunities, and community partnerships.

Under his leadership, OZASA collaborates with schools, healthcare providers, local organizations, and civic leaders to create structured athletic programs that promote confidence, resilience, and community connection. Sean is passionate about building strong partnerships and developing sustainable programs that have lasting impact for participants and their families.

Now in his second year serving on the Community Advisory Council for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and The Momentary, Sean brings an entrepreneurial mindset and a deep commitment to strengthening the Northwest Arkansas community. His experience founding and scaling a mission-driven nonprofit offers valuable insight into collaboration, outreach, and expanding opportunities for residents throughout the region.

Paulina Portilla

Paulina Portilla is a museum professional and nonprofit engagement specialist with a background in art history and institutional relationship-building. Born in Mexico City and raised in the United States, she brings a bicultural perspective and deep interest in cross-cultural dialogue to her work. She earned her degree from Sarah Lawrence College, where she studied art history, religious studies, and Chinese language.

Paulina spent four years at a mission-driven nonprofit in New York City, where she advanced from Executive Assistant to Manager of Membership, overseeing relationships with more than 400 firms worldwide. In that role, she focused on member engagement, retention strategy, and CRM systems that strengthened organizational communication and community connection.

She currently serves as a Guest Experience Associate at Crystal Bridges, where she works directly with visitors and contributes to creating accessible, welcoming experiences for diverse audiences. She views museums as spaces of cultural connection, and is particularly interested in how art can bridge communities and expand a sense of belonging.

Talicia Richardson

Talicia Richardson previously served as the Executive Director of 64.6 Downtown, a non-profit organization specializing in inclusive and creative placemaking. Talicia possesses extensive knowledge and expertise in various business disciplines, with over 20 years of experience in operations, quality control, and counseling within the hospitality and health care industries. In 2025, Talicia expanded her professional journey into private practice, focusing on mental health therapy with Eirene Mental Health Services & Business Consulting.

Talicia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Spelman College and a Master of Science degree in counseling from the University of Arkansas. Her philosophy is succinctly stated, "How can we work together with kindness and respect while sustaining a greater place for all to coexist." She resides in Arkansas with her husband, State Representative Jay Richardson. They have two children, Yuri and Jag.

Lindsey Leverett-Higgins

Lindsey Leverett-Higgins is a values-driven leader whose work sits at the intersection of compliance, education, and community impact. With nearly two decades of experience in corporate ethics and compliance, she has led enterprise-wide training, audit readiness, and risk mitigation strategies in highly regulated environments—translating complex requirements into clear, people-centered solutions that strengthen culture and accountability.

Beyond her corporate leadership, Lindsey is deeply engaged in civic and nonprofit work across Northwest Arkansas. She is active with the Northwest Arkansas Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Council and supports initiatives that elevate equity, service, and belonging through community programming and collaboration. She also serves in various leadership roles within Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®️ and is committed to developing future leaders through mentorship and education-focused initiatives.

Lindsey holds a B.S. in Animal Science and an M.S. in Agricultural Education, and she is focused on additional studies centered on addressing the underrepresentation of Black women in executive leadership. She is honored to serve on the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Community Advisory Council and is passionate about the museum’s power to expand access, deepen cultural understanding, and inspire community connection through art.