Our Team

Sharon Salvador, Interim Executive Director

Sharon Salvador, Interim Executive Director of Newark School of the Arts

Sharon Salvador is the newly appointed Interim Executive Director of Newark School of the Arts (NSA), effective January 2, 2025, following the retirement of Larry Tamburri. With more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, community engagement, and strategic development, Sharon is poised to guide the institution through a critical period of transition.

Before stepping into her new role, Sharon served as NSA’s Director of Development, where she played a key role in fundraising and board relations. Her leadership helped secure over $35 million for a range of organizations, including Newark Arts, Bessie Green Community, Inc., and New Community Corp. Sharon's expertise in grants, strategic planning, fiscal management, and operations has made her an invaluable asset to the arts and nonprofit sectors. She is a recognized leader with a deep passion for the arts and community development.

A proud Dominican-American woman raised in Newark, Sharon has been a tireless advocate for marginalized communities, channeling her early activism into a distinguished career focused on community service and empowerment. As a first-generation college graduate, Sharon holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Rutgers University and an MBA in Global Management from the University of Phoenix. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration with a concentration in Business Intelligence at Marymount University, expected to graduate in 2025.

Sharon’s extensive career has earned her numerous accolades, including recognition for excellence in service and leadership, and honors from organizations such as the International Women’s Leadership Association and Cambridge’s "Who’s Who of Professional and Executive Women." She is also a proud member of Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc. and the Arts Administrators of Color.

As Interim Executive Director, Sharon will continue to advance NSA’s mission to provide high-quality arts education while fostering a culture of inclusivity and growth. Drawing on her strategic expertise, she will work to enhance the school’s programs and expand its community partnerships during this important leadership transition.

Sharon's passion for the arts and commitment to empowering future generations of artists and leaders reflects her deep-rooted dedication to community growth, excellence, and innovation. The Board of Trustees of Newark School of the Arts is confident that Sharon’s leadership will guide the institution through this transformative time.

“We are excited to have Sharon step into the role of Interim Executive Director,” said the Board. “Her deep connection to the community, combined with her proven leadership experience, makes her the ideal person to lead NSA into its next chapter.”

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Lidiane Francisco

Registrar

Lidiane Francisco - is a multilingual in Portuguese-Creole, Portuguese, English, and Spanish. She completed a Bachelor of Business Administration-Management from Berkeley College, New Jersey, in 2019 with honors. In the past 10 years, Lidiane has dedicated her professional talents in the Administrative field, Office Management, Human Resources, and Customer Service leadership. Ms. Lidiane has worked in Programs such as the City of Newark ID as a Registrar, and MTA Easy Pay program as a Customer Care Team Coach, supervising, leading, and educating a team of 13 customer service representatives. She also devoted volunteering services at the Red Cross, Sal Cape Verde Island, and to different organizations in the City of Newark such as The Leaguers Inc., WIC - Women, Infant, & Children, City of Newark Occupy the Block, and Mayor Ras Baraka’ 2018 campaign.

Sharon Salvador,

Development Director

Newark School of the Arts’ Director of Development and Liaison to the Board is Ms. Sharon Salvador, MBA. Ms. Salvador is a distinguished Leader in Local and Global economic development with over 25 years of experience in Grants and Strategic Planning, Administration, Fiscal Management and Operations for various Corporations, Foundations and Charitable Organizations.  Ms. Salvador has a BA in Economics, an MBA and is a doctoral candidate pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration in Business Intelligence (2025).

Patricio Molina

Director of Conservatory Division

Music Theory, Piano,  A musician, Chilean-native pianist, composer and conductor Dr. Patricio Molina’s talents have been recognized by a number of people, institutions and competitions, including The New York Times which described him as “a gifted artist”. Patricio completed his master’s degree at the Manhattan School of Music under the guidance of Dr. Marc Silverman and his DMA in piano performance at Rutgers University. He is set to complete his PhD in composition in 2020. For more information about concerts, projects, and performances, please visit www.patriciofmolina.com 

Doris Martinez

Office Manager

Jamillah Cupe

Assistant to the Development Director

A Writer, Minister, Community Advocate and Speaker. She is adamant about empowering and adding value to the lives of people. She currently serves as Development Assistant at the Newark School of the Arts. Before this role she was a Federal Officer for over 12 years and she has had a long history as a Newark School of the Arts parent - all three of her children attended.    

She has a Master’s Degree in Criminology from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a Bachelor of Science Degree from Pennsylvania State University in Criminal Justice – Minor in Human Development and Family Studies, and an Associate of Science Degree in Social Work: Human Services from New Jersey’s Essex County College. 

She is skilled in writing and research and is responsible for assisting the Director of Development with essential tasks necessary to sustain the growth and the success of NSA pursuits.

Richard Marshall

Director of Program Operations, Marketing, Community Outreach

Richard is a resident of Newark who takes great pride in his community and is passionate about arts education. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from NJIT and later left the corporate world to serve his community. For more than two decades, he has held several academic positions, including Science, Math, STEM, and STEAM, as well as a dance teaching artist. Richard has also contributed his event management skills to various community organizations across the state. During his tenure at NSA, he has demonstrated his expertise in development and operational support, which has significantly enhanced arts education and the NSA team. As a director, he has excelled in managing advertising, community outreach, and overseeing both in-school and out-of-school operations, making a significant contribution to the organization's success. Richard is also a fellow of VELP, the Victoria Emerging Leaders Program at Rutgers University, and a graduate of Leadership Newark, a public policy program through the City of Newark.

John Prall

Finance Director