administration
Nina Woodruff, M.A.
Chief Executive Officer
Nina Woodruff (she/her), is an East Oakland native and became a “MOCHA kid” in 1989 when she connected through the East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC). When Oakland schools removed art programming from the curriculum, MOCHA became an art-making space and welcoming refuge during her teenage years. She found delight in identifying different ways to use art to create, express, shape and influence, even getting her first experience in giving back as a MOCHA youth board member. This cemented her passion for community service. Nina is a poet who loves visual arts and understands the value of providing a platform for children to express, create, and teach. She entered the tech industry in 2000 – with a focus in project management which opened doors to a successful 10-year career in technology sales. During her master’s seminars at CSUEB, she studied Afrofuturism; she spearheaded an Afrofuturist exhibition and curriculum at MOCHA in 2020. Her master’s thesis was a Critical Discourse Analysis of the Framing of White Terrorism; this research has informed her practice and commitment to youth development. Her motto is, "Ideas are only great when we have the courage to give birth to them." To honor her inner child, she loves to laugh and play.
Roxanne Padgett
Creative Director, Education Coach
Roxanne Padgett (she/her) born in Oakland, CA., is a mixed media artist and book-maker. MOCHA's Creative Director is responsible for Professional Development and Curriculum Development for the entire organization. Roxanne is a Visual Artist, Arts Educator, and Executive Administrator bringing more than 30 years of experience in multiple youth services and arts educational nonprofit organizations. She brings a combination of arts education practices, management experience, leadership ability, and a passion for the arts. The past 25 of those years have been spent working for MOCHA in a variety of capacities: Senior Teaching Artist, Program Manager, Curriculum Developer/Writer, Professional Development Coach, Director of Educational Programs, and Director of Programs. Roxanne is a certified arts integration coach, holds a teaching credential in visual art, and received a fellowship to attend Harvard’s Project Zero on arts education. Additionally, Roxanne’s artwork and articles have been published in several visual art periodicals. Roxanne is the author of “Acrylic Techniques in Mixed Media,” published by North Light Books, Arts Division. Roxanne honors her inner child by being a lifelong creative through hands-on art-making, making mistakes, experimenting, playing, and abundant curiosity.
Kaya Fortune
Director of Curation & Culture Keeping, Founding Teaching Artist, Education Coach
Kara “Kaya” Fortune, he/him, born in Oakland, California and raised in Compton, California. Fortune attended UCLA where he received a B.A. and later went to Otis Art Academy. He has been working as a Teaching Artist at MOCHA for more than 30 years. His current position at MOCHA is Director of Curation and Culture Keeping. He believes that art for children transcends the difficulties in their lives and acts as a healing force. He teaches to inspire, ignite, and challenge his students to find their own identity. Fortune is a visual artist whose art represents African-American history, music, and visual arts as well as spiritual and social concepts. John Outterbridge was one of Fortune's primary artist inspirations as a young artist. Outterbridge's mixed media and found object works helped create a style called Assemblage. As a youth working with Outterbridge, Fortune was inspired to research artists and develop his own artistic style. Kaya honors his inner child by drawing and painting to keep the legacy of African American creative spirit alive for future generations.
LuzMarina Tovar
Community Arts Manager, Education Coach
LuzMarina, she/her, is from Oakland, California. LuzMarina graduated from Massachusetts College of Art and Design, in Boston, with a B.F.A. in Metals Art. She has also studied jewelry and metalsmithing in London, England, in her native South America, in Colorado Springs, and in California. She has designed and manufactured her own jewelry line, as well as showing her work in art galleries. LuzMarina Tovar has been a professional artist and arts educator for over 20 years. Some of her professional experience includes: the Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA) as Early Childhood Education Coordinator, Little Studio Manager, and bilingual Teaching Artist, Otis Elementary School Artist in Residence, Edna Brewer Middle School Art Program Guest Teaching Artist, Peralta Elementary Teaching Artist and the creation of Artree Studio, a home based art studio offering children and families a space to explore the beautiful and intricate world of the arts. LuzMarina’s international and diverse experience gives her a broad perspective and an unique approach to making and creating art. She is a dedicated artist, mother, and proud resident of the City of Oakland. LuzMarina honors her inner child by striving to stay wide eyed and embracing the sense of wonder.
Danielle Zorn
Museum Programs Manager, Education Coach
Danielle Zorn (she/her) is an artist and educator originally from Norwalk, Connecticut, with degrees in Art History and Studio Art from the College of Charleston. With more than 25 years of experience as a working artist and teacher, Danielle is passionate about making art accessible, engaging, and fun for children and families. Her artistic practice includes working with clay, glass, and wood, allowing her to explore creativity through texture, shape, color, and form. Danielle especially enjoys creating opportunities for young artists to experiment, make discoveries, and express themselves through art. As the Museum Programs Manager at the Museum of Children’s Art (MOCHA), Danielle develops and supports hands-on art programs and experiences for children, families, schools, and the community. In this role, she helps design creative learning experiences that introduce young artists to a variety of materials, techniques, and artistic processes. Danielle works to create welcoming spaces where children can explore their creativity, build confidence, and develop their own artistic voices. She brings her experience as an artist and educator into her work at MOCHA, helping connect art-making with curiosity, discovery, and self-expression. Danielle honors her inner child by traveling as often as she can, seeking out new experiences, and taking time to experience the wonders of nature all around her. Through her work at MOCHA and her own creative practice, Danielle hopes to help young people develop a lifelong connection to art and discover the joy of creating.
Sienna Fatuesi, PMP
Community Schools Manager
Sienna Fatuesi, she/her, is from Seattle, Washington. She graduated from Howard University with her B.S. in Health Science, minoring in Chemistry. Sienna joined the Alpha Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. in the Spring of 2022. Sienna is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Public Health at UC Berkeley. Sienna is the Community Schools Manager at MOCHA, where works as an integral part of multiple departments. Sienna honors her inner child by dancing when she feels joy, discovering new hobbies, and being in nature, especially by water.
Nia Moten, PMP
Archival & Curator Assistant
Nia Moten, she/her, born and raised in Oakland, California and lifelong MOCHA kid. Nia earned her B.S. in Psychology from Howard University. Currently, she works as MOCHA's Archival and Curator Assistant striving to preserve MOCHA's history and legacy. Nia honors her inner child by sleeping, doing all the things little Nia was not allowed to do, and taking daily hot girl walks.
Tiffany Yang
Creation, Marketing, and Impact
Bio coming soon.
Jill McLennan, M.F.A.
Education Coach
Jill McLennan (she/her) grew up in Providence, RI, and Chilmark, MA, where she developed a love for the urban and the natural. She attended Hampshire College in MA, with a focus on Painting, Drawing, Art History and Natural Science. After college, She went to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she earned her Master’s in Art Education and Teacher Certification. McLennan's art practice explores the environment through drawing, painting, and linoleum block prints. Currently, she is inspired by exhibitions of work by Kehinde Wiley, Wangechi Mutu and Jaune Quick-to-see Smith. Her art lessons teach technique while emphasizing curiosity and are inspired by living artists from cultures around the world. As both an artist and a teacher, she is deeply invested in protecting urban nature, inspiring our youth, and spreading hope and joy in the world.