Board of Directors

Kira recently served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Newport Festivals Foundation. There, she also co-produced the historic Newport Folk Festival and Newport Jazz Festival during their most successful seven years in modern times. Prior to Newport Festivals Foundation, Kira was the CFO and COO of Fingerpaint Group for nearly six years. Presently, Kira provides strategic consulting to nationally recognized non-profit and independent organizations in the music industry. She also serves on the Board of Directors of NIVA (National Independent Venue Association). Kira is an avid equestrian, gardener, and lover of historic preservation, residing in her 1900 Victorian home here in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Eric has served on the board since 2020 and brings a wealth of experience from a distinguished career in finance and nonprofit leadership. He retired in 2023 after 37 years at Goldman Sachs Ayco, where he held various senior management roles. Currently, Eric serves as an advisor to founders and startups, leveraging his strategic expertise. A native of Troy, NY, Eric spent his formative years in Kingston, NY, near Woodstock, where his love of music took root. His board service experience includes the Ronald McDonald House of Pittsburgh and a private foundation supporting women figurative artists.

Peter recently served as Commissioner of Public Safety for Saratoga Springs. Previously he served as a Supervisor for Saratoga Springs on the County Board of Supervisors and as Saratoga County Clerk. For 25 years he worked for the Ayco Company LP, a Goldman Sachs Company, where he was Senior Vice President and General Counsel. Peter also serves on the boards of directors of the Arthritis Foundation’s Northeast United States Region (where he is immediate past chairman) and the national Arthritis Foundation, Inc. Peter and his wife, Chris, have enjoyed the music of Caffè Lena since moving to the capital district over 30 years ago.

After a long media career in New York City, Pam retired from her day job and, with her husband, moved upstate in 2019 and made Saratoga Springs home. Over the years, she held a handful of notable magazine jobs, as an editor at Harper's, Parents, Child (as Editor-in-Chief), and editorial directorships at eToys.com and Scholastic. At the non-profit Cooney Center of Sesame Workshop she was director of strategic partnerships. Her non-profit work continued in the culinary world where she worked with chefs and restaurateurs to introduce NYC youth to the hospitality industry. Currently, Pam produces the Culinary Arts program at SPAC, cooking classes at Franklin Square Market, and writes occasionally for the Times Union. She also serves on the Advisory Board of the Belmont Child Care Association.

Stacey Barrick is the Head of Employment Law, Employee Relations, and Sustainability at GlobalFoundries. Prior to joining GlobalFoundries she served as a Senior Vice President at Goldman Sachs Ayco and practiced as a full service management-side employment attorney. Over the years she has enjoyed volunteering through board memberships with local not-for-profits, such as the Empire Youth Orchestra, the Northeast Regional Foodbank, and St. Catherine’s Center for Children. She is an avid supporter of the community and culture of Saratoga Springs where she lives with her husband and two children. Stacey has a passion for music, travel, and sharing new experiences with her family.

Gordon’s relationship with the Caffe dates from his first visits in the 1960s. After moving to Saratoga Springs in 1971, he met his late wife Sharon, and made friends with Lena, U Utah Phillips, Alan Stowell, Kate McGarrigle, Jack Hume, Andy Cohen and Kurt Anderson, who made Saratoga their home at that time. Sharon was responsible for the Caffe’s handsome bronze bust of Lena, which she made while a student at Skidmore and a volunteer at the Caffe. Gordon is retired from a career in the energy and environmental industries, having served on the State legislature’s executive policy staff. In addition to enjoying the Caffe’s offerings, Gordon has been active in local choral groups, especially enjoying 16th Century a cappella repertoire. He was a religious volunteer at a nearby State prison and led the restoration of the antique pipe organ in the chapel there. He has served the community on the boards of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, the City Center Authority, and City Charter Revision Commission, among others.

Jeff recently retired as the CEO of the SUNY Research Foundation, one of the largest nonprofit organizations in New York and a 2024 recipient of one of the Best Places to Work in the Capital Region (Albany TimesUnion). With more than 30 years of experience in public health research, higher education administration and funding programs, he also served on the Board of Directors for various scientific organizations and has extensive experience in organizational development and operational excellence. Growing up in North Carolina, Jeff developed a lifelong passion for bluegrass, folk and roots music, but he greatly values the diversity of performances he and his wife Nora have enjoyed at Caffe Lena since moving to Saratoga Springs in 2016. A perpetual student who travels worldwide to various music camps, he also regularly joins in the Caffe’s School of Music courses and weekly jam sessions.

Before selling his company and retiring to Saratoga in 2018, Joe spent 30 years running his real estate management firm overseeing a large portfolio of apartments, condominium and townhome/single family residences throughout the Capital Region. He brings to Lena’s board skills in budgeting, finance, building management and maintenance. Joe served on the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Board for ten years during the mid 1990’s – 2000’s. With his wife Luann he frequently attends performing art events throughout the region, and wherever their travels take them. They enjoy walking to and from this legendary venue to hear world class live performances in such an inviting listening room. He’s grateful to assist with furthering the mission of Caffè Lena.

Michael is publicist for Breedlove Guitars; assistant producer of The Music Haven Concert Series; board member of the Capital Region NY Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America; and a member of the Hudson Valley Community College Advisory Committee for Fine Arts, Theatre Arts and Broadcast Communications. A former public radio producer, Eck is also a nationally recognized arts reporter and cultural critic, having written locally for the Times Union for almost 30 years. Additionally, he is a singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, painter and roots scholar, with a deep love of historic American music. He has been performing at Caffè Lena for over 25 years and, as Caffè board member, works with the director on producing, hosting and marketing fundraising concerts.

Brad grew up in the Catskills in upstate New York and always had a love for music and the outdoors. He started his professional career in San Francisco with apparel retailer Gap, Inc, and after receiving his MBA from the University of California Berkeley – Haas School of Business, Brad joined L’Oreal, and spent the past 14 years building his career leading marketing for brands such as Kiehl’s Since 1851 and Pureology. Currently, Brad works as the CMO at Beekman 1802, the world’s #1 goat milk skincare company founded in 2008 by Dr. Brent Ride and Josh Kilmer-Purcell. Brad joined the company in early 2020 to help lead overall brand strategy and evolve the company from a small bath and body brand into a top global clinical prestige skincare player. Throughout this period of expansive growth, brand maintained and amplified the company’s values around clean & cruelty-free products and an unwavering commitment to spreading Kindness to the community and planet. Given Brad’s passion for marketing, music, and mission driven brands, he was more than excited to join the board of Caffè Lena.

Joe is an 22-year veteran of the international folk circuit, an award-winning songwriter, and celebrated vocalist based in Chicago. He is noted for merging musical beauty, social consciousness, and spiritual exploration. Several of his songs have risen to #1 on national folk radio charts, including the ever-relevant Lady of The Harbor. He is a member of the A.F.M. Local 1000: North American Traveling Musicians Union, NARAS, ASCAP, and the Folk Alliance International. He has joined the Board of Caffe Lena to support its community outreach, artist development programs, and inclusion of diverse voices.

Nancy was raised in a household where music served as a vehicle to spiritual, emotional and social development. She studied violin, piano, voice, theater and dance. Upon moving to Saratoga in 2001, she became active in the life of Caffé Lena, attending shows, participating in open mic nights and volunteering. She joined the staff as Director of Marketing and Development from 2019-2020. Nancy is retired from a varied work life in engineering, sales and business management, communications, marketing and development. In addition to music, Nancy’s passions include travel and all-season outdoor activities including hiking, skiing, bicycling and paddling.

Cassandra is a singer-songwriter, actress and activist. She uses music to connect people and create community. She has proven the healing power of her music with songs such as “Not So Different,” an Autism Anthem that helped raise over $30,000 for Institute for Autism Research, Autism Speaks, and Music for Autism. Her song “You Get Me” helped raise more than $25,000 for pet rescue and shelter organizations such as The Humane Society of NY, Helping Lost Pets, and Howl of a Dog. At the root of all of Cassandra’s art, there is always a song.

Brian is a lifelong resident of the Saratoga Springs area and patron of the local music scene since he was a teen. Though his music tastes lean more toward the heavier side of progressive rock, he and his wife Kim found a home for live music at Caffe Lena and have been members for years. Avid fans of the Bright and Nordlys Global Voices series, they’re always looking for a new experience and to discover a new sound. Brian is currently an Accounting Supervisor at D.A. Collins Companies, after spending nearly two decades in government finance and accounting. Brian is also a former employee of Caffè Lena, serving as Director of Finance and Operations and brings with him intimate knowledge of the Caffè’s inner workings to the Board.

Margo Olson is the Executive Director of Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park. She began her professional career in environmental education when she worked as an Interpretive Ranger for the National Park Service. She developed environmental programming, exhibits and curricula as Director of Education at the Junior Museum in Troy, which has become the Children’s Museum of Science and Technology. She was the Curator of Education at the National Museum of Racing and worked at Skidmore College in the Office of Campus Life. She has served on several community boards including Planned Parenthood and Temple Sinai. Growing up in a house full of classical and folk music, she spent many happy hours of her high school years at the Eighth Step Coffee House and in helping to run the Bethlehem Coffeehouse. She plays the flute in the Cottage Street Players chamber music group and is excited to be at Caffè Lena, helping at a coffee house again!