About
Staff & Board
Our Staff
Anjee Helstrup-Alvarez
Executive Director
anjee [at] maclaarte [dot] org
As a lifelong cultural worker, Anjee has led transformative efforts at MACLA to build organizational capacity, secure a permanent facility, launch a youth digital media lab, and deepen program engagement while ensuring artistic excellence and community relevance. Serving as MACLA’s Executive Director since 2008, she is interested in the intersection of arts and culture in movement-building work, aiming to reimagine what is possible. She contributes to this crucial work by serving as a frequent advisor to the cultural sector and the philanthropic community. Her areas of expertise include fundraising, financial management, creative placemaking, commissioning artwork, capacity building, program development and evaluation, as well as economic and real estate development.
In 2024, Anjee was recognized with the Power 100 Award, highlighting 100 leaders making the most significant impact in the region, and in 2009, with the 40 Under 40 award, both presented by the Silicon Valley Business Journal. She is a senior fellow in the American Leadership Forum Silicon Valley Class XXXVII. She currently serves on the boards of the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits, the San José Downtown Association, and the Peer Advisory Council of the National Performance Network. Anjee earned an MA in Visual Criticism from California College of the Arts and a BFA in Pictorial Arts from San José State University. She lives in downtown San José
Eda Benites Nieto
Associate Director
eda [at] maclaarte [dot] org
Eda considers herself a jack-of-all-trades with a focus on community work. As a poet herself, Eda strongly believes in the power of art to spearhead change and hopes to leverage her ambition to empower artists of underrepresented backgrounds as they move within the art community.
She has worked alongside inspiring peers at El Centro Chicano y Latino as a program coordinator and gave back to her alma mater as an admission counselor serving the Latinx community. They also co-founded Cafecito Quechua, a community-based language and culture initiative whose purpose is to revitalize and destigmatize the learning of Quechua/Indigenous Andean languages.
Eda holds an MA in Latin American Studies and a BA in Anthropology with minors in Spanish and Biology from Stanford University. You can find her reading a book at the beach, mushroom hunting in Bay Area hiking spots, or finally repotting her plants.
Juan Carlos Aguirre
Fund Development Associate
juancarlos [at] maclaarte [dot] org
Juan Carlos Aguirre is a nonprofit professional whose work spans youth development, economic development, philanthropy, and the arts. Throughout his career, Juan Carlos has worked across community-based organizations to strengthen programs, foster meaningful engagement, and advance equity-driven strategies.
Juan Carlos is the first person in his family lineage to earn an advanced degree. He holds a B.A. in Organizational Development and an M.A. in Applied Anthropology from San José State University, where his academic work explored organizations, culture, and social change.
Outside of work, Juan Carlos is a lifelong fan of Selena and disco music, enjoys spending time with his dog Rocco, and prioritizes physical, mental, and spiritual health as essential practices for balance, sustainability, and joy.
Ruben Escalante
Teen Tech Center Director
ruben [at] maclaarte [dot] org
Ruben Escalante is a Filmmaker, Photographer, and Youth Advocate at MACLA’s Teen Tech Center. Ruben was born in Madera, California, and grew-up in Dos Palos, CA.
Once Ruben graduated from High School they moved to San José to pursue an education in Cinema. Since graduating Ruben has worked at numerous elementary schools focusing on art therapy. They started a collective titled Emo Kids of Color, E.K.O.C for short, a collective of artists who specialize in photography, zines, film, music, and poetry.
Alessandra Lopez
Teen Tech Center Pathways Facilitator
alessandra [at] maclaarte [dot] org
Alessandra Lopez is an East Side San José native with a Communication Studies degree from San José State University.
Previously, Alessandra has worked with elementary and middle school students across San José with Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County. Her MACLA journey began when she joined as a Temporary Teaching Assistant, continuing as a Teen Tech Center Program Associate and now Teen Tech Center Pathways Facilitator!
Alessandra’s role at MACLA heavily emphasizes youth mentorship with a passion for film production. Her dedication to working with young people from diverse backgrounds, especially in under-resourced communities to provide a safe space and build their confidence in pursuing artistic creativity is encouraging and making a positive impact on young people in San José!
Alyssarhaye Graciano
Visual Arts Curator
alyssarhaye [at] maclaarte [dot] org
Alyssarhaye is a practicing textile artist, published author, and community curator. Her curatorial practice has focused on emerging and established artists of color, uplifting untold stories, and artistic expressions.
An experienced arts administrator, she has held positions at Silicon Valley Creates, New Museum Los Gatos, and ran a small business, BlackSheepMade offering textile workshops and selling her art. As an arts advocate, she volunteers on the GenArts Steering Committee, writes for Content Magazine, and is currently in the Multicultural Arts Leadership Institute (MALI), Class 14. Born and raised in San José, Alyssarhaye is trilingual with a BA in Languages and Literature with an emphasis in Spanish and French from the University of California, Riverside.
In her spare time, she is an avid cyclist exploring Bay Area trails. When she’s not on her bike, she is a budding home chef who likes to cook Thai food and explore her Mexican-Filipino family recipes.