Laura Bruney
President & Ceo
As President and CEO of the Arts & Business Council of Miami for the past 25 years, Laura Bruney has helped strengthen the cultural community through leadership and board development programs, audience development and marketing initiatives, volunteer programs for the arts and networking and community events. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of Council staff, policy and programs. Ms. Bruney works closely with the governing board to develop and implement the Council’s strategic plan, interfaces with the cultural community on behalf of the Council, and is the Council’s chief spokesperson.
Renee Pesci
Executive Director
Renee is driven by innovation, creativity, & collaboration. As Deputy Director, she will work with our leadership team to plan, direct and implement operations and activities in support of our goals and mission. She will spearhead all our fundraising initiatives to help us achieve philanthropic objectives. She values connecting with people and cultivating connections that create empowered partnerships.
Catherine Gustave
Director of Programs & Events
Catherine Gustave, a dynamic force in the world of event programming, filmmaking, and creative consultancy, calls Broward County, FL, her home base.
Hailing from Hialeah, Catherine’s journey into the realms of events, film, and entertainment has been a love affair spanning two decades, fueled by a combination of education and hands-on experience. Her passion ignited during her sophomore years of high school, and she has since dedicated over a decade to honing her craft in filmmaking.
Equipped with a Business Administration degree from Florida International University, Catherine has mastered the art of event management, laying a solid foundation for her entrepreneurial ventures. She founded an independent freelance production agency, renowned for its collaborations with industry luminaries and influential creative brands.
Currently serving as the Director of Programs & Events for the Art and Business Council of Miami, Catherine is on a mission to pioneer innovative and inspiring programming, seamlessly bridging the worlds of art and business. Through extensive networking initiatives, she aims to foster vibrant connections within the community.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Catherine is deeply engaged in various social groups and organizations, leveraging her skills to contribute meaningfully to the South Florida community through volunteer work.
During her downtime, Catherine indulges in her passions, whether it’s roller skating in the park, immersing herself in binge-worthy TV shows, or exploring the culinary scene alongside her soon-to-be husband, a local street chef. Adding to the mix, she cherishes her role as a fur-mom to two beautiful dogs, Charlie and Knox.
Jean Blackwell
Programs Specialist
Jean is a Programs Specialist with the Arts & Business Council focused on Artburst, Miami’s media hub for the arts; Patent Pro Bono Florida and Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. She has lived and worked in Miami and the Beaches since 1990 in wide-ranging roles in the Arts, Hospitality, and the Non-profit sector. Years of collaborating and working with programs, exhibitions, digital marketing, and social media have manifested in a successful content-driven, strategic approach for marketing the Arts. As a practicing visual artist, she shares a studio in the Bird Road Arts District with her husband, Ignacio Font.
Her position with the Arts and Business Council of Miami is the culmination of all of her past experiences of programs, events, marketing, and community-building here in Miami. Jean oversees the Miami Arts Marketing Project (MAMP), Arts Board Match, Artburst Miami, Patent Pro Bono Florida, and Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA), and continues to look for even more ways to serve our creative community.
Josie Gulliksen
Outreach Coordinator
Josie Gulliksen is a freelance writer and major arts advocate and enthusiast who loves everything cultural and is excited to live in such a thriving community as Miami. A Miami native, she currently writes for Rundown.com/MIA, Miamionthecheap.com, Citybuzz.com and Design District Magazine. She worked for nearly a decade at Miami Today covering the arts community, calendar of events and restaurant scene. She has also worked in public relations in non-profit for the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, in travel and tourism for Newman PR and at the Miami Science Museum. She has written for Florida Travel + Life Magazine and Florida Monthly Magazine.
Keith Spurlock
Official Photographer of Arts Biz
Keith Spurlock has over 30 years’ experience in film photography including darkroom and printing before the digital age. In addition to digital photography and editing, he has edited both film and digital movies. Keith is experienced in IT and web designs too. He has traveled with his many different cameras throughout his life capturing photos and movies all over the world. He started as free-lancer photographer in his high school years in Miami and has covered sporting events, weddings, advertising, model composites, bar-mitzvahs, family portraits, events, street photography and landscapes. Born with a hearing impairment, Keith’s vision has that extra touch that helps him excel in photography.
Heaven Jones
Outreach Manager
Heaven is a graduate of Florida A & M University. Driven by communication, knowledge, and community her career trajectory started with internships and work experience while in college.
As part of REACH THC, Tallahassee’s hub for empowering creators and entrepreneurs, she managed a portfolio ranging from student entrepreneurs to government associations in the tech and business industries. She strategically coordinated marketing campaigns that attracted large audiences for successful in-person and virtual events. In addition to producing events, she helped create solid student-to-program relations, which later assisted in developing her online podcast.
She was hired for several impressive internships, including with Universal Studios, that gave her the opportunity to practice branding, building awareness, and project management. Her work with the nonprofit Children campaign provided her with leadership skills and experience in changing complex social problems through media advocacy in public education, and community activism.
Heaven is best known for her passion for collaboration and creativity. She values connecting with people and cultivating partnerships that create long-lasting, meaningful relationships. She is enthusiastic about equal opportunity and access to the arts for all and the professional development of creatives. She has developed a strong talent for building social presence and community ecosystems.
At the Arts & Business Council Heaven will spearhead logistics and outreach for our Partners Program and will be the point person for connecting with our valued collaborators. She is enthusiastic to help us amplify our mission and provide support to our arts marketing partners, artists and arts professionals. In addition, you will see her at our Creative Happy Hours and popular networking events.
In her free time, Heaven can be found near the water, enjoying live jazz, or spending time with her family. Since returning to Miami, she has made it her mission to enjoy all the simple pleasures in life.
Connect with Heaven at heaven@artsbizmiami.org
Rezia Hayes
Digital Marketing Manager
Rezia is not your average Digital Marketing Manager; she’s a multifaceted creative force with a deep-rooted love for the arts and an unquenchable thirst for innovation. With a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology from the illustrious Howard University, Rezia brings a unique blend of analytical acumen and artistic sensibility to her role. It’s this fusion of artistry and data-driven insights that fuels her excitement as she embarks on her role as a Digital Marketing Manager with the Arts and Business Council.
Rezia’s mission is clear: to elevate the Arts and Business Council’s brand to new heights. With a
keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, she’s on a quest to boost brand awareness and
fortify brand identity. Her vision transcends conventional marketing; it’s about creating experiences that resonate,
inspire, and leave a lasting impression.
Bruce Levine
Board Director
Bruce Levine is a Production Executive at Gold Entertainment Media Group. A member of the PGA, Bruce is an award-winning producer who has worked in all aspects of film and television production. He has been a part of the production team on the last five Gold Entertainment Media Group Documentaries for HBO, PBS and Amazon Prime. Additionally he has created and produced reality series for MTV.
Prior to this position Bruce was in charge of the Put Something Back Project for the Dade Legal Aid Society. Part of his responsibilities included coordinating referrals for the VLA and Patent Pro Bono Project with the Arts& Business Council. Bruce is a graduate of the University of Southern California as well as Whittier College School of Law.
Meredeth McKissick
Treasurer
Meredeth McKissick, CPA, brings over 25 years of expertise in accounting, auditing, internal controls, and tax, with a focus on both domestic and international sectors. She began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers before transitioning to Westinghouse Electrical Supply Company as a tax manager.
Meredeth has served on the board of the Elkia Foundation since 2019 and has been actively involved in her community, including roles with the Puerta De Palmas Social Committee and Coral Gables Women’s Club.
She holds a B.S. in Accounting and International Business from Penn State and is a licensed CPA in Pennsylvania.
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