EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mariela brings a rich background in arts, humanities, and non-profit management, cultivated through a lifetime of experiences. From her upbringing in Puerto Rico to her college years in Washington, DC and Italy, and teaching English in Japan to sharing the transformative power of art in New York City, Mariela's journey has underscored the profound impact of the arts on self-awareness, understanding, and appreciation for others.

Fluent in Spanish and deeply committed to fostering youth voices, Mariela has consistently advocated for arts education and engaged in advocacy for diverse communities.

With Mariela now at the helm as Executive Director of YEAH!, she is working towards creating more accessibility to the transformative power of art to support young people, foster artistic expression, increase communication and strengthen community. Mariela envisions building a diverse team of staff, instructors, board members, community partners, program participants, and supporters. Together, YEAH! will integrate the Nashville community through progressive arts and music programming in a space where creativity, leadership and collaboration thrive.

PROGRAM MANAGER

Bunny Nunn (she/her) is the Program Manager at YEAH! (Youth Empowerment through Arts & Humanities), where she leads youth-focused programming that encourages creativity and self-expression through music and the arts. From 2010 to 2020, Bunny volunteered with YEAH! as a band manager and workshop teacher, and she also served on the organization’s board from 2018 to 2022. Passionate about fostering youth empowerment, she works to create inclusive, engaging opportunities for young people to explore their talents. In her personal time, Bunny is a multimedia artist, blending her love for creativity and the arts into all aspects of her life.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Donna J. Baker is the University Archivist and Records Officer at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. She previously served as University Archivist at Middle Tennessee State University and Head of Special Collections and Archives at Morehead State University. Donna holds an M.A. in History from Eastern Illinois University and an M.S.L.S. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Outside of work, Donna’s research explores the intersection of music and memory. A lifelong Queen fan, she swears everything she needed to know in life she learned from Freddie Mercury. She’s also a devoted fan of Koala Interpreter and loves diving into conversations about the roots of rock ‘n’ roll.

Donna brings her passion for music and storytelling to YEAH!—engaging with campers, embracing their energy, and even teaching a few to sound their barbaric yawp. While she may not shred (yet), she’s always ready to find the chords with a little help from YEAH!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Julie Delgado and her husband, Manuel, have spent the last 20 years building their creative businesses—Delgado Guitars and Music Makers Stage—in East Nashville, where they live with their daughters, Ava and Lila, and their dog, Oreo.

Julie is a gifted educator in Nashville Public Schools, specializing in gifted and talented education. She’s also a singer-songwriter with a solo album, Poor Girl, and is active in the local music scene. Julie is a member of NSAI, ASCAP, SGA, MVAN, and proudly serves on the YEAH! Board.

She currently hosts a bi-monthly acoustic singer-songwriter spotlight at Music Makers Stage, where she continues to uplift voices and create space for authentic musical expression.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Originally from South Carolina, Ryan Griffin is the Director of Education at SAE Institute Nashville, a creative media college in the heart of Music City. His musical journey began with piano lessons from his grandmother and evolved into a successful career as an audio and mix engineer.

Ryan holds a B.A. in Mass Communications and an M.B.A. from Middle Tennessee State University. He’s passionate about using his skills to empower others and build community through music and education.

Inspired by YEAH!’s mission, Ryan joined the board to help expand access to creative spaces for youth, especially those who’ve historically been left out. He brings both heart and expertise to the table, helping YEAH! grow with purpose.

BOARD CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Janus Pan (Co-Chair), based in Houston, Texas,  is a healthcare attorney at Greenberg Traurig LLP, where she provides regulatory and transactional guidance to a wide range of healthcare providers.

Janus was drawn to YEAH! because of its unwavering commitment to creating safe, inclusive spaces for youth, especially those from marginalized communities. In a time of deep division, she believes this work is more vital than ever.

As Co-Chair, Janus is focused on supporting the Executive Director and helping YEAH! grow in a sustainable, impactful way. Interested in joining the board? Reach out to her at januspan@gmail.com.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

William Clay Nelson, originally from Danville, Kentucky, earned his B.A. in Computer Information Systems from the University of Kentucky. With 15 years of experience in tech, he’s worked across education, healthcare, and the quick-service restaurant industries. He currently serves as an Integrated Solutions Analyst at CKE.

A lifelong music lover, William is passionate about the transformative power of music and the role it plays in shaping identity and community. Drawn to YEAH!’s mission to amplify youth voices and preserve what makes Music City special, he’s committed to ensuring others have the musical opportunities he missed growing up.

As a board member, William is focused on expanding YEAH!’s reach while growing as a leader and advocate for creative equity.

CO- FOUNDER, CURRENT FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBER, FORMER MEMBER OF YEAH! BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Clinical Assistant Professor at Haslam College of Business, University of Tennessee. Kelley graduated from Middle Tennessee University with a degree in Recording Industry Management. She has 10 years of experience teaching music through private lessons and leading workshops in songwriting and recording. Anderson toured internationally for four years as a founding member of the group Those Darlins and later performed under the name The Grand Strand. As a managing partner of the label Oh Wow Dang, she released two albums in the United States and licensed albums to labels in Japan and Australia. Kelley is currently a Finance Instructor at the University of Knoxville.

In 2002, Kelley Anderson taught guitar at the Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls in Portland, Oregon, and was inspired to organize a similar camp for young women in the Southeast. As Chair of Women for Women and a student of the Recording Industry program at MTSU, Anderson saw a need for change in both the music industry and the local music community. She organized the camp as a way to empower young women through music while giving them the tools needed to create change.