February 6, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shonda Moore
Phone: 951-963-4362
Email: smoore@calhum.org
Oakland, CA —California Humanities, a nonprofit committed to fostering connections and understanding through storytelling, history, and cultural expression, is excited to welcome two new members to its team: mariana moscoso as Senior Program Officer and Elisa Kutza as Database & Grants Manager. Their expertise will help advance California Humanities’ mission by expanding program development, improving operational capacity, and supporting meaningful engagement with communities across the state ensuring the organization’s continued growth and impact.
“At California Humanities, we believe that stories have the power to build bridges and bring people together,” said Rick Noguchi, President and CEO of California Humanities. “mariana and Elisa bring valuable skills and fresh perspectives that will help us expand our impact and ensure that our programs continue to reach and resonate with people across California.”
As Senior Program Officer, mariana moscoso (ja’/elle/they) who has a master’s degree in art history, will help guide grantmaking and program initiatives, drawing on deep experience in program administration, research, and program evaluation. A nonbinary reconnecting Indigenous queer of Achi (Maya), Nicānāhuac, and Afro-Indigenous roots, mariana is a cultural practitioner, storyteller, and emerging weaver whose work reflects a deep commitment to amplifying diverse voices and preserving cultural traditions. They co-created Toj + Tijax: The Ritual of Myth Making, an Indigenous queer healing space integrating storytelling and ancestral knowledge.
“I am so excited to join California Humanities, an organization that uplifts storytelling and creates space for historically excluded voices,” said moscoso. “I look forward to helping expand the work of California Humanities, which fosters connection, cultural preservation, and the sharing of lived experiences.”
As Database & Grants Manager, Elisa Kutza will enhance California Humanities’ operational infrastructure by implementing streamlined technology and data solutions that support organizational effectiveness. A certified Salesforce Administrator, Elisa brings experience from the nonprofit sector, including arts organizations, healthcare, and community services. With an MA in Public Service Administration from DePaul University, she specializes in strengthening systems that help mission-driven organizations increase their impact.
“Strong data and technology infrastructure are the foundation of any successful nonprofit,” said Kutza. “I’m excited to support California Humanities in strengthening its impact through innovative and effective digital solutions, especially as it expands its business model.”
Both mariana and Elisa are eager to contribute to California Humanities and will bring their knowledge, creativity, and experience to support the organization’s programs and partnerships while it adapts to address changes to the funding environment.
For more information about California Humanities and its initiatives, visit www.calhum.org.
About California Humanities:
California Humanities is a nonprofit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. For 50 years, California Humanities has worked to connect Californians to ideas and one another, helping people learn about their shared history and culture through the humanities. To learn more, visit calhum.org, or like and follow on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
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