Meet Our New Board Member – Gracie Inacay

We are thrilled to welcome Gracie Inacay to our Executive Board. As a Certified Executive Coach and Human Resources Consultant, Gracie will be a great asset to our organization and our Governance committee. Her energy and drive have already made an impact in her first months.

In a new conversation series, studio artists will interview new board members to introduce them to our community. Gracie and studio artist Chris Viau met on zoom this month for the first installment.

CHRIS: How did you find Arts of Life and why are you interested?

GRACIE: I think it was a little bit of me finding Arts of Life and Arts of Life finding me. I love art – all different mediums. My daughter is an artist, and she’s currently going to school for illustration and communication. And I had been looking for an opportunity to help an organization by sitting on a board. When I saw the posting for Arts of Life, it was a magical connection.

CHRIS: Why do you want to be a board member?

GRACIE: For me it’s about giving back to the community and giving back to organizations where they can leverage my skillset and my strengths. I am an executive coach, and I have been a human resources professional for over 25 years. And this is where Arts of Life was such a good connection. There are a lot of synergies because I’m able to apply my career focus into an organization that can leverage and use my help.

CHRIS: Have you worked with people with disabilities before.

GRACIE: I have. I have worked with both children and professionals. More so with mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, some learning disabilities.

CHRIS: What are you passionate about?

GRACIE: Gosh, there’s so many things. I think first and foremost I’m passionate about my family. They mean the world to me and without them there is no world. So that’s a big one. As far as my career, I’m definitely passionate about helping others. One of my core values is giving back and helping others. In fact, if I thought about some of the assessments I have done over the years, one of the profiles that resoundingly comes through is the helper.

CHRIS: What kind of art do you like?

GRACIE: It really depends. It has to be something that calls to me. I have seen both pictures that I am in awe of and physical things I can touch. Even a rock can be artistic to me. I do collect wooden bowls. In fact my husband and I took a wood carving class. On my desk I have a bowl that I made and I keep my paper pen and paper clips in.

CHRIS: Any new ideas that you can bring to help us grow.

GRACIE: A few different things, from fundraising to new opportunities for Arts of Life to generate revenue 

CHRIS: Are you good at being a team player?

GRACIE: I would say yes. I am not into team sports, but I am the queen of trivia, so if you want any useless, or useful rather, TV and movie knowledge I’m your girl.

CHRIS: What things do you find easy and what do you find hard?

GRACIE: Well not being a sporty girl, sports would be hard for me. I played softball as a kid, but not on a team or anything like that.Things that I find easy. I would say making connections with people. I love meeting new people.

CHRIS: I play Bocce and I write poetry.

GRACIE: Oh, that’s fantastic. My grandfather wrote poetry as a matter of fact, and just yesterday, my mom brought me one of his poems from 1955. It actually brought a tear to my eye because he passed away in 2013 but just seeing one of his pieces reminded me of him so much.

Do you mostly use watercolors Chris/

CHRIS: Yeah. Watercolors and chalk. Imaged inspired by nature and camp.

GRACIE: Is it fun going to camp?

CHRIS: Yeah. I  do a lot of art. I love to go out on the trail.

GRACIE: What do you like about art and Arts of Life Chris?

CHRIS: Makes me creative and the explorer. I like working hard with friends.

GRACIE: That’s wonderful. I’m so happy that you’re a member of arts of life and that you’re getting to explore your artistic side. I look forward to meeting you in person when we can.

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