Our Team

Art Director

Anya Tanyavutti has over 23 years of experience working in the fields of education, non-profit leadership, and community engagement. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Masters degree in Socio-Cultural Studies and Educational Thought, both from Western Michigan University.  Her work history has included administrative leadership of an arts integration organization, a birth justice organization, a Community Schools department, youth development program administration, teaching at the elementary level and DEIB and strategic planning consultation.  Her work experience has included significant fiscal management of complex budgets in times of growth and scarcity, stewardship of relationships and extensive staff supervision.  Ms. Tanyavutti's work and academic experience has afforded her knowledge and awareness of emerging strategies and priorities in community organizing and schools including education equity policy and research, the impact of social and emotional learning and restorative justice, literacy development, culturally relevant pedagogy, and family and community engagement.  She has served as President, vice president, and member of the Evanston/Skokie D65 Board of Education,  an engaged D65 parent participating in D65 Early Childhood programs, and  facilitator and curriculum writer with Next steps for Transformation, NFP.  Ms. Tanyavutti is the Executive Director of  an Arts integration nonprofit serving Chicago Public Schools. Anya is a trained birthworker and also a 3 time alum of the Jade T. Perry Cecilia Weston Spiritual Academy (2020-2022) a Shamonic Reiki practitioner and trained birthworker. Lastly, Ms. Tanyavutti is the proud mother of three amazing children who are the realization of their ancestors dreams and work everyday to build a better more decolonized world in big and small ways for and with the collective.