DAVID VARELA | FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Imperial Valley In Southern California will always be home for 40-year-old native David Varela, but moving to Tulsa, OK in early 2022 with his wife and teenager has come with such an outpouring of support from their new community in this creative midwest town. Born and raised in El Centro, CA David struggled academically as he trudged through the El Centro elementary school district, but acknowledges the endless support he found in the migrant program and the teachers that fostered his love for art. In 2000 he graduated from Southwest High School and with little hesitation sought higher education in the arts outside of El Centro. With much determination, family support and financial difficulties he accomplished a degree in graphic design in Long Beach, only to find himself traveling back home to a position at the Imperial Valley Press. After a few years of building experience, David worked to expand his opportunities, leaving the valley to work for both the LA Times and then Viejas Casino, prestigious Sixteenfifty Creative Ad Agency in La Jolla and Rescue Agency in San Diego. Having accomplished much of what he had set out to do for himself, David created Starts with Arts Foundation to give back to communities that struggle with advancing youth arts education and now looks to support and give back to his new home and community in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

ANITRA PARISH | DEPUTY DIRECTOR
Born in San Diego, CA and raised in the Imperial Valley; Anitra uses her unique research and understanding of marginalized groups to build programs with empowerment themes to further highlight the strengths of the communities she serves. Economics and Community Development through impactful programming are a fundamental priority for each aspect of her work. Her background in finance and business development gives her the experience to create and structure innovative programs that have been used in multiple nonprofit and for profit organizations. She is the owner of ADO - A Development Organization where she focuses on helping other organizations become more socially and environmentally responsible through innovation and equitable access to resources. After continuing to see barriers for under-resourced communities, she founded ADO Foundation where she builds and implements equitable programming and fiscal sponsorships within the community. She thrives on the challenge of creating programming that impacts the futures of the youth and the families she works with. Tulsa, OK is her new home and she looks forward to getting to know her community and supporting them in any way possible.

ADVISOR | AIDE ALQUIJAY | EDUCATION SPECIALIST
As a first generation American, Aide’s parents instilled in her the importance of education and the continued need to inspire future leaders through education and community support. She is a graduate of San Diego State University where she received her degree in English and teacher credential. After graduating, Aide decided to return home to the Imperial Valley to share her desire to give back to the community that raised her. Aide's experience in education and her work with the youth migrant program, as well as the CUHS law enforcement academy has proved her ability which was acknowledged when she was named director of the English department of Central Union High School. Aide's expertise in building classroom curriculum and her ability to support her students and families have allowed her to become an amazing resource for our foundation as well as an inspiration to our students. Our relationships with educators and those who truly feel passion for teaching our youth is a core approach of our youth empowerment programs.