Lisa Paulos - Chairman

Biography: A native of Minnesota, Goodyear became home for Lisa 4 years ago with a move to the desert. Lisa is excited to serve on the Arts and Culture Commission bringing her experience and knowledge of events, community programming and partnerships gained from an extensive career in municipal parks and recreation, community education and nonprofits. As a growing diverse community, providing opportunities for Goodyear residents to engage in arts and culture through classes, events, and public art create a sense of connection and community for those young and old. Lisa looks forward to representing the Goodyear community and collaborating with other commissioners to provide an array of impactful art and cultural experiences for families and residents.

Erin MacFarlane - Vice Chairman

Biography: Erin MacFarlane has lived, worked, and played in Goodyear for the last fifteen years. She is a supporter of public and performing arts, and is most passionate about how story and imagination connect and ground the Goodyear community. Erin is grateful for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Goodyear as a Commissioner, and looks forward to learning more about the community through a shared love for the arts.

Cindy Braun - Commissioner

Biography: Cindy is honored to be serving the city of Goodyear, where she moved in 2022. Cindy has spent her career in the Arts, Entertainment and Non-Profit sector, specializing in events, membership, and community relations. She currently is the Events and Membership Coordinator for Phoenix Sister Cities, where she focuses on organizing events specifically focused on international arts and culture. Cindy believes that art and music are integral parts of the human experience and help bring people together of different backgrounds and interests. She has dedicated many years of service to her community in the past and looks forward to collaborating with her fellow commissioners to bring an array of arts and culture experiences to the residents of Goodyear.

Jerry C. Drake - Commissioner

Biography: Jerry Drake has a varied musical background. Having been involved with music since the fourth grade within his family, church and school, he went on to graduate from Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s of Music and began his teaching career. In college his focus was flute and music education. Jerry achieved a Masters in Music Education from Vander Cook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois.

After retiring in 2016, Jerry auditioned for the PebbleCreek Singers and was accepted for the holiday concert that fall. He became Director in 2019 and has worked hard to add additional musicians and dancers from the outside community (Kat’s Artist Tree, Millenium School, Great Hearts School) to enhance concerts for audiences. As Director, his duties are all-encompassing including selecting the music, planning the rehearsal schedule and the concerts, ticket sales, stage setup and production, auditions, as well as overseeing various committees and the Singers Board. He has enlisted the help of the chorus Section Leaders to get them more involved with the entire process.

He looks forward to helping educate the public in the joy of music and the arts

Laura Fries - Commissioner

Biography: Laura Fries moved to the City of Goodyear in 2019. She is retired from a career as an executive talent search consultant that included owning a search firm. She is deeply committed to enriching her community through arts and culture. During her career, she served as director on several non-profit boards which prompted her unique perspective and experience with fostering thriving communities of vibrant artistic and cultural growth. She believes that artistic and cultural amenities and opportunities within cities significantly influence residents’ quality of life and lead to citizen engagement, retention and creative ideation. She has dedicated many hours of volunteerism and local and state-level governmental lobbying to this cause. Laura is an artist, a photographer and a digital content creator. She holds her MBA from the University of Minnesota. Carlson School of Business.

Kimberly R. Hill - Commissioner

Biography: 

I have been so blessed to see the growth of Goodyear over the last eight years. After relocating from Atlanta, GA, I began learning and serving in my community through the ASU Saturday Business Startup program at the Goodyear Innovation Hub, graduating from the Goodyear L.E.A.D. (Leadership Enrichment And Development), and serving on the Goodyear Planning Committee. My background in Education, Radio/TV, and Performing Arts has enabled me to enjoy a plethora of experiences working with youth, community as well as elected and appointed government officials. I am an alumnus of Grand Canyon University, Kennesaw State University, and Georgia Southern University and I am currently working towards my PhD. I enjoy organizing service projects through my sorority, Kiwanis Litchfield, and other community organizations.

Kyoko Iwasaka - Commissioner 

Biography: Kyoko is very excited to serve the City of Goodyear as an Art & Culture Commission Voting Member.

Kyoko is an artist and also a certified licensed architect in the U.S. and Japan. Kyoko believes that art and architecture significantly influence quality of people’s lives. She explores an integration and unification of art and architecture to create uplifting experiential space for healthy joyful life of all.

One of Kyoko’s broadly diversified artwork repertoires is “Napkin Sketch”. With her message “Art for Everyone, Anywhere, Anytime”, she held exhibitions in Phoenix, Tempe, Goodyear, and New York. Kyoko also contributed public art installations in Goodyear, and her watercolor “Cotton Snowfield” was placed in the “Goodyear Time Capsule”.

Kyoko has lived, studied, and worked in different cities and countries with people from all over the world. This unique experiences fueled her creativity and cultural agility. Kyoko is an avid hiker, and loves traveling, drawing, and playing the piano. She holds Master of Architecture, Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Fine Arts and Education.

Nancy Love - Commissioner

Biography: I have lived in Goodyear for 7 years, and in the west valley for over 10 years. I am passionate about our community and excited for the opportunity to serve on the Arts & Culture Commission. Enriching the lives of our residents and visitors, young and old, through numerous arts and cultural events, displays, partnerships and educational opportunities contributes greatly to why I am proud to call Goodyear my home. Being a public servant for nearly my entire career, I value the impact the arts have on the well-being of our community.

Louise J. Privette - Commissioner

Biography: It is my privilege to serve on the Goodyear Arts Commission. I hold a doctorate in Counseling Psychology and have spent my adult life working as a school psychologist and adjunct professor. Because of these experiences, I know the power of the arts in developing creativity, improving critical-thinking skills, building self-esteem, and improving academic performance. Ballroom dancing, writing, and oil painting are the ways I express my passion for the arts.

Goodyear has been my home for over 18 years. My husband is a Southwest Airlines Captain and retired Air Force Colonel, who spent the last 15 years of his career at Luke Air Force Base. We both love the cultural richness, beauty, and diversity of Goodyear and share a commitment to serving our community. Although some might say the arts aren’t needed to sustain life, I believe they make our lives worth living. I look forward to contributing to our growing and thriving city.

Carole Palmer  – Commissioner  

Biography: As a 15 year Goodyear resident, I’m honored to be part of the Goodyear Arts and Culture Commission.

In college, two years spent at Northwestern University and receiving a Master’s Degree from Cal State Northridge in Theatre served to fan the flames of my passion for theatre and music. Performing and Directing continue to be a delight while serving as President of our PebbleCreek ShowTime Productions organization which produces Broadway Musicals and Revues. I’ve performed major roles in shows like “Drowsy Chaperone”, “Damn Yankees”, “It’s a Grand Night for Singing”, “9 to 5”. My most recent directing project was “Beauty and the Beast” with about 2000 attending over 6 nights in our Renaissance Theatre.

I also enjoy singing with PebbleCreek’s PC Singers 70 voice chorale.

As an author, I’ve distributed about 400 copies of my book “Just 3 More Miles”.

In summer, Bill (husband) and I travel to California for family and the beach!

As Goodyear continues to promote the Arts offering opportunities to all ages, cultures and talents, I’m excited to be part of the exploration!