Staff

Will Law joined Artspace in 1992 and has worked in property development, asset management, consulting, and financial management. Among the major projects for which he has had primary responsibility are the Tilsner Artists’ Cooperative in Saint Paul, the Washington Studios in Duluth, the Riverside Artist Lofts in Reno, and El Barrio’s Artspace PS109 in New York.

As President, Mr. Law is a member of Artspace’s senior management team and is responsible for overseeing the organization’s day-to-day operations. Mr. Law graduated from the Metropolitan State College in Denver, Colorado, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Political Science.

Tionenji Aiken (Tio Aiken) is the Chief Communications Officer for Artspace Projects Inc. Recruited to Artspace in 2016 as the Communications Manager, Aiken has slowly shifted the Artspace brand to focus on multi-format storytelling with a deep desire to highlight the intersectionality of Artspace's diverse residential communities and partnerships nationwide. In 2017, Aiken became the Director of Communications. She also became the Program Director for the Rafala Green Fellowship program, a two-year fellowship that promotes equity and inclusion in non-profit real-estate by training the next generation of POCI emerging leaders working at the intersection of arts, real-estate, and community development, funded by the Ford Foundation.

Outside of her formal roles at Artspace, Aiken is a practicing poet and a champion of anyone using their creative expression to make space in the world for positive change. She currently sits on the advisory boards of Made Here MN and Giant Steps MN, and the Board of Directors for the Twin Cities Jazzfest.

She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, and holds a BA., in Cultural Studies, Comparative Literature, and Media Studies.

With over 30 years of financial expertise, Beth Chalmers serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Artspace Projects. Passionate about the arts and social impact, Beth leads financial operations and strategic planning for the nonprofit organization dedicated to creating affordable spaces for artists and arts organizations.

Beth is a seasoned Finance and Human Resources strategist with a rich background spanning diverse industries including public accounting, manufacturing, banking, consulting, housing, and the nonprofit sector. She also manages Artspace’s Human Resources and IT functions, further strengthening the organization’s operational infrastructure. Prior to Artspace, Beth directed financial operations at People Serving People, focusing on supporting homeless families. Her career has been marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to driving organizational success through sound financial management, strategic HR initiatives, and technology oversight.

Beth holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and is dedicated to leveraging financial strategies to support arts communities. She is excited to continue her journey with Artspace Projects and looks forward to collaborating with the team to make impactful contributions to the arts landscape.

Freddie, despite all attempts, has been able to skillfully evade his colleagues and refuses to write a bio of himself. It's okay, Freddie. We've got your back.   

Here is what we know: 

• He wears, on occasion, an amazing (and massive) Russian fur hat given to him by his fantastic wife. 
• His sense of humor is so intact that he manages to play verbal defense in a way that would shock a politician.
• In 2009, Freddie started exploring the real estate business and began working for Artspace leading the Performance Property team. 
• In his spare time, Freddie likes to drink pink ladies while hanging out with his friends; enjoys making people laugh; go on bike rides in the rain; and read science fiction books while soaking in a bubble bath. Just kidding. Well, everything except the making people laugh part. His good nature is contagious.

Freddie is our talented President of Performance Property, and we are so fortunate to have him taking care of myriad things at our properties. Rock on, Freddie. 

As Chief Asset Officer, Steve collaborates closely with leadership and staff to oversee Artspace’s LIHTC and Historic Credit projects. With the asset team, he is redesigning Artspace’s project evaluation framework to ensure properties maximize eligible rental income while identifying opportunities for expense reductions. In the coming years, the team will reassess each project to determine its optimal path forward—including potential sales or dispositions. In today’s evolving affordable housing landscape, Steve emphasizes adaptability, innovation, and creative problem-solving to navigate challenges.

Before joining Artspace, Steve built a diverse career in public accounting, real estate development (spanning both LIHTC and market-rate properties), brokerage, mortgage lending, and business management. With experience managing projects nationwide, he brings a multifaceted perspective to his role. Steve holds a B.A. in Accounting from Iowa Wesleyan University.

Dana is a systems thinker and strategy wrangler who’s spent nearly 20 years helping arts nonprofits tell their stories, rally support, and turn big ideas into reality. With a background in English, Art, and Nonprofit Leadership, her journey began in the press room at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), where she secured national media coverage for exhibitions and programs. She went on to lead communications and fundraising at the Duluth Art Institute (DAI), where she boosted grant revenue by more than 60%. Since 2017, Dana has been a driving force at Artspace, cultivating relationships and securing the resources that fuel our mission—from core operations to innovative programs and creative-sector infrastructure in communities across the country. Dana thrives where creativity meets logistics, always working to turn vision into impact.

Pace Winkels (He/Him) joined Artspace in 2022 as the National Advancement Manager.  The son of a musician and costume designer, Pace has been steeped in the Minneapolis artist community and understands the importance of fostering and housing the arts across the globe.  After receiving his BA in writing for TV and Film at DePaul University,  Pace returned home to Minneapolis and began work at an accessibility company, creating audio description for television and film.



When he's not working, Pace enjoys a wide variety of horror films and is an avid practitioner of Muay Thai. He's also the father to the light of his life - his pitbull, Imelda Mae.

Addison joined Performance Property Management's team at the beginning of 2021. With a BA in mathematics and theatre arts from Simpson College in Iowa, Addison believes that she's found an excellent place to work! Addison is a bookkeeper for a handful of Artspace's real estate properties and performs regular accounting duties for the team.

When she's not in the office, Addison spends much of her time around Lake Bde Maka Ska, singing showtunes around her apartment, and reading the same novels over and over. An Iowa native, Addison is thrilled to be in the Twin Cities where the winters are only marginally worse and the accent is contagious.

Mary Jo joined Artspace in 2009 as a temp after taking a few years off to raise 3 children.  Mary Jo is responsible for master lease accounts receivable, El Barrio accounts receivable and accounts payable and helps the Finance Team with other projects as needed.  She also files annual reports for all Artspace entities keeping them in good standing.  Prior to joining Artspace, Mary Jo worked as a legal secretary at a law firm in Minneapolis.

When not working, Mary Jo enjoys going on walks, exploring new places and going to plays at community theaters.

Carly Karjala graduated from South Dakota State University with a BS in Art Education. Karjala is certified through the Professional Picture Framers Association and has worked as a CPF for 10 years. She recently finished an AA in Accounting. She is excited to be a part of the finance team at Artspace. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, biking, camping, and traveling with her husband, Brent, and their son, Owen.

Nu Lee joined Artspace Project’s Performance Property Management Company team in May 2011 after graduating from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul with a BA in Accounting. Nu is Bookkeeper for several of Artspace’s real estate commercial and residential properties locally and regionally. She performs regular accounting duties, prepares monthly financial statements, and conducts regular accounting audits.

Nu brings a sense of enthusiasm to the Finance team, as well as an attention to detail that is necessary for her position. Her previous work experience varies from providing administrative support at the Department of Natural Resources; extensive customer service at the House of Wong family restaurant; and peer tutoring at St. Paul Public School’s Bruce F. Vento Elementary.

When she is not working, she cooks for big family parties, keeps the house polished, and enjoys scrapbooks and photography.

Molly McKeen (they/them) joined Artspace as a Temporary Assistant to the Finance department in the spring of 2022. McKeen is a freelance pet sitter, plays video games, and enjoys spending time with their nieces and nephews.

Shaela Wilson graduated from the Academy of Design and Technology, Chicago, in 2004. She then began to freelance while pursuing her dream of owning her own FedEx Kinkos. Shortly after that idea was born-- and after giving birth to two dance machine, lip gloss-popping divas; and after reading “The Secret”-- she began working at Artspace Projects in 2010. From making coffee and scheduling appointments to drawing up leases and managing the Artspace database, Shaela puts her awesome multi-tasking skills to work at Artspace daily. She is not limited to being the Queen of the front desk, however-- she was also MVP of the Minneapolis Pee Wee League Championship game in 1991.

In her free time, she likes to draw, spend time with her two lovely daughters, watch popcorn pop in the microwave,  watch the exercise channel while eating that butter-soaked popcorn from the couch.

Educated in the Chicago Community College system, and DePaul University, Doran also holds the following certifications:  “Certified Property Manager (IREM-NAR); Community Association Manager (License – Illinois); and Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA/CAI).  Doran has specialized in the management and development of affordable housing assets for most of his career in the real estate industry, but he has also managed commercial assets that were adjunct to his assigned residential assets.  Geographically, Doran’s asset assignments have included sites in Illinois, Ohio, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, Arkansas, Missouri, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.  And his program experience includes:  Section 42/LIHTC; Project-Based Section 8 for Families and Seniors; Section 236; RAD; Rural Development; Public and Indian Housing; and Market Rate.  Doran’s connection to the arts is in music.  He was a performing percussionist, who later wrote and taught youth in the field of marching percussive arts.  Doran is married to the love of his life: Tina, and they have 6 adult children and 10 grandchildren. 

Jean Kramer-Johnson first joined the Artspace family remotely coordinating staff travel from her Montana home. In 2002, Jean moved back to her hometown of Minneapolis, and was offered the position of Executive Assistant to the President. Three years later, Jean joined the Asset Management team and now leads Artspace’s commercial leasing operations. Jean is also the point of contact supporting new project lease up efforts and continues to serve as travel consultant to Artspace staff.

When not working, Jean loves to camp, ski, and go on long walks with her husband and her dog, Mayla Belle.

Get in touch with Pablo here.

Pablo Lituma is a first-generation Ecuadorian-American with roots in New York. Mr. Lituma is Indigenous from Azuay, Ecuador, and advocates for the cultural preservation of diaspora communities in the U.S.A. His experiences of living in distinct cultural communities have shaped a path to advocate for equity and diversity in communities. Mr. Lituma's early aspirations to create equity through community and real estate development led him to obtain his  Bachelor of Science of Architecture degree from the University at Buffalo, in New York, and later his dual Master's degrees in Architecture and Community and Regional Planning from the University of New Mexico. Mr. Lituma was part of the second cohort Rafala Green Fellowship at Artspace and now supports Artspace in a Project Manager role in the Property Development department. 

Jennifer was born and raised in New York City, where her parents met after migrating from the Dominican Republic. Jennifer is the youngest of three children and the first college graduate in the family. She holds a bachelor's degree in Forensic Science from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and is always seeking to learn more, with an interest in a wide variety of subjects. 

Before joining Artspace in 2014, Jennifer was a project manager at El Barrio's Operation Fightback, a property management and community organization focused on housing, economic development, and social service needs of East Harlem's El Barrio neighborhood. Her bright and easygoing personality, along with her deep understanding of the El Barrio neighborhood, brought great strength and coordination to Artspace's largest project to date: El Barrio's Artspace PS109; of which Jennifer is the Asset Manager. 

Andrew Michaelson has more than 10 years of experience in the field of affordable housing. He began his career with Artspace as an intern in 2006, and is now Director of Property Development. He played a key role in the development of the Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts, and is currently team lead for the Pullman Artspace Lofts in Chicago and the Space to Create Colorado initiative. He has extensive experience in historic adaptive reuse, including the rehabilitation and conversion of former cavalry buildings at Fort Snelling into supportive housing for homeless veterans and their families (a project he completed as a Senior Project Manager for CommonBond Communities).

Andrew holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Forensic Science Certificate from Hamline University, and a Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law (now Mitchell Hamline School of Law).

Andrew is a Minneapolis native, and currently resides in the Fulton neighborhood with his wife and two young daughters. He plays drums in his spare time, dabbles in home brewing, and enjoys tinkering in his basement workshop.

Becky Carlson St. Clair joined Artspace in 2011. She played a key role in the development of projects in Minot, ND; Dearborn, MI; Hastings, MN and Minneapolis, MN and is currently leading the development of SOMO Artspace Lofts, Artspace Utica Lofts, and the NKB Residential Project. Prior to joining Artspace, Becky worked for five years at Somerset Development Company, an affordable housing development company in Washington, D.C. Before moving into real estate development, she worked for two years as a cartographer at Syracuse University and at a custom cartography company in D.C. Becky has a Master of Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia, a B.A. in Geography from the Maxwell School of Citizenship, and a B.A. in Spanish from Syracuse University. Becky lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two boys.

Sarah Swingley joined Artspace in 2011, serving in Artspace’s Property Development division for over a decade. Sarah oversees a number of financial processes for Artspace, from financing applications to managing the successful closings of projects, thereby launching new construction in Artspace’s pipeline. Sarah also administers construction draws for projects across the portfolio, and had significant responsibilities advancing developments in Elgin, IL; Waukegan, IL; Hamilton, OH; and El Paso, TX—enabling 184 new units of affordable housing for artists and their families. Previously, Sarah was Senior Mutual Fund Accountant at First American Funds. She holds a Master of Urban & Regional Planning degree from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and a B.S. in Finance from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management. In her free time, Sarah stays busy with her three very active children. She enjoys home improvement projects, exploring parks and playgrounds, geocaching, kayaking, and hitting the pool. She is also a candy addict.