Kate Powell, MPA, CFRE
Executive Director
Kate is an arts administrator who discovered her love for organizational development in 2015. Since then, she has served as the Development Manager at the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Director of Fundraising and Grants at PORTCO, Inc., and Director of Development for Tidewater Arts Outreach. She took over as Executive Director in November 2020.
Kate received her Bachelor of Music in Music Industry from James Madison University (Go Dukes!) and her Master of Public Administration from South University. She earned her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential in June of 2019 and was an Inside Business Top 40 Under 40 Honoree in 2022. Kate is also a 2022 alum of the Creative Center Training Institute.
Kate believes strongly in community involvement. She is Chair of Old Dominion University’s Master of Public Administration Advisory Board, an active member of the Hampton Roads Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (including chairing both their Programs and National Philanthropy Day Committees), Board member of Tidewater Friends of Foster Care, and commissioner on the Norfolk Mayor’s Commission on Aging and Long-Term Care.
Kate can still be spotted playing music with her husband Marc. When not playing music together, they enjoy adopting senior pugs, serving as foster parents, hiking trails, and exploring Hampton Roads’ amazing food scene.
Ashley Carroll, MA, MT-BC
Program Director
Ashley Carroll is a Board-Certified Music Therapist. She has served the Hampton Roads community since July 2021 through her work at Tidewater Music Therapy, LLC and was elected President of the Virginia Music Therapy Association in January 2022. She is also a member of the Virginia Beach Chorale.
She completed her Bachelor of Music Therapy degree at Eastern Michigan University in 2010 and her Master if Arts degree in Music Therapy from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in December of 2020. Ashley is also a 2022 alum of the Creative Center Training Institute.
She has worked in a variety of settings including hospitals, elementary and middle school special education classrooms, early childhood community music groups, community mental health, elder care, memory care and hospice. As a hospice music therapist she witnessed how pervasive isolation is especially among older adults, and she became passionate about being involved in bringing people together using music. She is excited to change roles, leaving clinical work to focus on building relationships with artists and community partners to eliminate the barriers of access to high quality programming to our communities.
In her free time, Ashley enjoys reading, playing piano, watching movies, and spending time with her husband, two children, and two dogs.
Georgie Javelosa, BSW
Program Manager, Southside-Western Tidewater
Georgie earned her Bachelor of Social Work from James Madison University (Go Dukes!). Georgie’s love for empowering others has been evident through her work with the unhoused population, hospice care, and working to help children with life-threatening conditions.
Georgie interned at Samantha Makes It a Little Easier (SMILE). The internship started her love for working with nonprofits as well as her love for the amazing community within Hampton Roads. Georgie currently serves as the Secretary for the Southeastern Virginia Association of Volunteer Administrators.
Georgie is excited to be a part of the Tidewater Arts Outreach team. She is eager to meet new people and reach out to the communities that we serve. In the Program Manager role, she strives to effectively communicate with current and new artists and communities. Feel free to reach out to her as she looks forward to working with you!
Melissa Drake, MA, MS
Program Manager, Peninsula-Williamsburg
Melissa is a highly skilled marketing and communications professional with a passion for using the arts to make a positive impact in the community. She earned her Master of Arts in Sports Marketing and Public Relations at Northwestern University, Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition from New York University, and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology from Grand Valley State University.
Melissa’s expertise lies in designing and managing programs that promote inclusivity, diversity, and accessibility in the arts, most recently as Event Coordinator with Heart of Virginia Artisans and the Forward Foundation. She firmly believes that everyone should have the opportunity to engage with and benefit from artistic experiences, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Melissa’s passion for the arts extends beyond her professional life. She is an active member of the local arts community, regularly attending performances, exhibitions, and workshops. This deep engagement allows her to stay informed about emerging trends and best practices in the field.
In her free time, Melissa can be found frequenting local artisan events – usually with her pup in tow; spending time with her husband and two boys; or loving up on her Maine Coons.