Make-It Springfield is currently in a leadership transition. Operations are overseen by the staff team in collaboration with our Board of Directors. Please email info@makeitspringfield.org if you have any questions.
Sheldon Smith, Community Outreach Manager
Sheldon brings his experience as a community leader to every aspect of his work with Make-It’s members, workshop hosts, participants and visitors. He guides hosts through the process of developing and leading workshops and serves as a mentor to our makers. Sheldon formerly worked as Art Coordinator at a local community support center, providing art as an outlet for at-risk teens, disabled persons, and those seeking ways to cope with substance recovery. He has been designing art and clothing since 1994 including personalized T-shirts, graphics, murals and fashion.
Marla Shelasky, Development & Communications Manager
Marla brings extensive experience in arts administration, program development, membership recruitment, audience research, and event planning to her role at Make-It Springfield. She manages the organization’s communications strategy, including social media and outreach tools, while also leading grant writing and donor communications efforts. From 2018–2023, she coordinated Artists of Springfield, MA, curating 11 exhibitions across the Pioneer Valley and showcasing the work of 48 Springfield artists. As a practicing artist herself, Marla values Make-It as a welcoming home for all creatives.
Jamila Jackson, Program Manager
Jamila is excited to bring her experience in the arts, community-building, and leadership development to Make-It Springfield. She is a storyteller, dancer, and educator and has experience leading groups, teaching courses, and developing curriculum and programming for people 13yrs old – adult. Jamila is the founder of The Embodied Leadership project, where she teaches equine-assisted learning and collaborates with horses on a therapeutic level to support conversations about trauma-informed embodied and community practice.
Gillian Hinkson, President & Board Chair
Gillian brings a strong background in leadership, community engagement, and creative entrepreneurship to her role. She serves on the boards of Brotherhood On the Move and the League of Women Voters Northampton Area, and as a Trustee at The Community Foundation of Western MA. Gillian serves as a Democratic State Committee Woman and, through Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Beta Alpha Zeta Chapter, she curates impactful community programs. Professionally, Gillian is a Victim/Witness Advocate at the Hampden County District Attorney’s Office.
Nancy Urbschat, Board Member, Treasurer
Nancy is principal/owner of TSM Design. She has been a staunch supporter of downtown Springfield and the arts for a long time. She’s served on boards, donated time, talent, treasure to any number of arts organizations over the years. She is wildly impressed with Make-It Springfield. She wants to help raise awareness of all the great work being done at 286 Bridge Street.
Andrea Monson, Board Member, Secretary
Andrea is a branding strategist, market researcher, and economic development leader with experience spanning Fortune 500 companies, arts-based revitalization, and international community work. She co-owns Monsoon Roastery, founded The Urban Food Brood, and served as Executive Director of the Downtown Northampton Association, leading place-making and cultural programming. A former MassDevelopment Creative Officer and TDI Fellow, Andrea holds a bachelor’s from Florida Atlantic and a master’s in Experimental Psychology from Mount Holyoke, specializing in storytelling, partnerships, and inclusive economic growth.
Maria Canales, Board Member
Maria brings many years of experience in the banking and real estate development sectors and extensive experience working with developers and private investors to fund and implement local community development projects that emphasize affordability and equity. She has worked with nonprofits with a specialty in community renewal, and empowering children and families. She has also spent many years working with Spanish-speaking youth and is a strong advocate for women’s rights and marginalized populations.
Vilenti Tulloch, Board Member
Vilenti is the CEO and Founder of the Academic Leadership Association (ALA), where he leads initiatives that empower youth, families, and educators through mentoring, professional development, and community partnerships. A recognized community leader and recipient of the NAACP Community Service Award and BusinessWest 40 Under 40 for his entrepreneurial efforts, Vilenti is dedicated to closing the achievement gap and advancing equity in education. His work emphasizes relationship-building, leadership development, and creating pathways for student and educator success.
Laura Masulis, Co-founder
For over five years, Laura served as MassDevelopment’s Transformative Development Lead Fellow in Springfield, working closely with community partners to build a downtown district that is a vibrant center for entrepreneurship, arts and dining. Laura previously served as Senior Partnerships Manager at Interise, a national non-profit helping diverse, established small businesses scale in lower-income communities. Early in her career, Laura worked for Public Consulting Group focused on improving state public assistance programs.
Michael DiPasquale, Co-founder
Michael leads outreach activities for UMass Amherst’s Urban Extension program in Springfield. An Assistant Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture & Regional Planning, Michael’s teaching and research focuses on the revitalization of America’s “Legacy Cities”, the country’s once dominant manufacturing centers. Make-It Springfield began as a creative way to bring life to a vacant downtown storefront. A licensed architect and city planner, Michael held positions at design firms in Detroit, St. Louis and Boston before moving to western Massachusetts.
