Founder & Executive Director

Melissa Watson Erickson, CFRE, MSOL, aPHR, is a dynamic leader in the nonprofit sector, serving as the Founder and Executive Director of The Funding Studio—Arizona’s only professional fiscal sponsor organization dedicated to arts and innovation . With a career spanning over a decade, Melissa has been instrumental in empowering filmmakers, artists, and social entrepreneurs to secure philanthropic funding for projects that tell regional stories and drive positive change .

Melissa's passion for philanthropy ignited early, from her days as a Girl Scout selling cookies to launching her university’s first student caller fundraising initiative. Her academic journey led her to earn a BA in Communications, Curation, and Criticism of Art and Design from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, University of the Arts London, and an MS in Organizational Leadership from Quinnipiac Business School . She further honed her expertise with certifications in grant writing from UNLV, human resources from HRCI, and professional coaching, and is trained in Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead program.

Under her leadership, The Funding Studio has become a beacon for creative projects and social enterprises, offering fiscal sponsorship and strategic fundraising consulting services . Melissa's innovative approach has helped launch numerous initiatives, including the Flagstaff Film Festival and the Arizona Nonprofit Awards . Her commitment to closing age, racial, and gender gaps in access to funding has fostered a thriving ecosystem of creativity and social impact.

Beyond her work at The Funding Studio, Melissa is a sought-after speaker and podcast guest, sharing her insights on aligning visionary projects with sustainable funding models. 

Melissa's dedication to empowering creatives and fostering innovation continues to make a significant impact in the nonprofit and arts communities.

Chris Erickson is a highly accomplished banking professional with over 25 years of experience in the field of finance and fraud prevention. He has a proven track record of developing and executing successful data analytics strategies sand has consistently delivered measurable results and driven business growth.

Throughout his career, Chris has held leadership positions at Bank of America, where he has led cross-functional teams and collaborated with stakeholders at all levels to achieve organizational objectives. He is known for his exceptional analytical skills, strategic thinking, and ability to adapt to rapidly evolving market trends.

In addition to his professional achievements, Chris is a strong advocate for community engagement and social responsibility, leveraging his skills to make a positive impact on society.

His passion for arts and innovation combined with his drive for excellence, makes him a valuable asset to The Funding Studio. 

 Renee King, Deputy Legal Defender at Maricopa County Office of the Legal Defender. Specializing in juvenile dependency and severance actions. Renee has a love of musicals, botanical gardens, animals including her two dogs, and traveling with her husband and daughter.  

 Amy Yackowski is the Founder and Chief Evolution Officer at Painted Porch Strategies, a stoically-based training and advisory team dedicated to guiding current and emerging leaders and organizations in becoming change ready and resilient in their life, work, and anywhere in between. Amy is an active member of the Junior League of Phoenix, serves on the executive committee for the Junior League of Phoenix Toastmaster's club, and is currently a Toastmaster Area Director for the greater Phoenix valley. In addition, she has served in volunteer roles for charitable organizations including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, A Stepping Stone Foundation, and St. Vincent de Paul. Amy is thrilled and honored to be a part The Funding Studio and its mission to provide funding strategies and fiscal sponsorship to help turn bright ideas and passionate storytelling into shining achievements. 

 Alicia Jenkins has been a lover of the arts since she was a toddler. As a true theatre nerd, she is honored to be a founding member of The Funding Studio. She is also a freak in the spreadsheets, and can’t wait to use her budgeting expertise in service of such a great organization as treasurer. Her free time is spent with her amazing niblings, attending as many live performances as she can, and following the whims of her husband and dog.  

 Kelly Smith, MA, has been a project and change management leader for 20 years, supporting nonprofit organizations and companies in achieving success. She has a passion for grant-funded programming and provided oversight to many initiatives in the nonprofit, government, and corporate sectors, holding the position of Vice President of Health Promotions for the Western United States (American Lung Association).

 In this role, she navigated a team through organizational structure transitions. In addition, Kelly has served as a consultant in the corporate arena and taught Psychology, Bioethics, and Nonprofit Management courses at the collegiate level. 

Kelly has loved fine arts since she was a child and won the Excellence in Art award in her high school class. In graduate school, she completed expressive and art therapy coursework on her journey to an MA in Psychology.

As an avid lover of film and pop culture, Miranda brings a vibrant passion and creative spark to every conversation. Known as the go-to film buff and trusted thought partner, she loves sharing insights and connecting with others through her rich knowledge of cinema and history.

With a diverse background in data analytics and process improvement strategies, Miranda is a dynamic professional who combines her analytical expertise with innovative problem-solving. Her unique perspectives and positive energy make her a driving force for uncovering meaningful solutions and fostering collaboration.

Outside her professional life, Miranda finds joy in the kitchen, where she crafts delicious culinary creations to share with family and friends. Whether it’s experimenting with new recipes or perfecting old favorites, her love of cooking is as much about the process as it is about bringing people together.

 Mary Rivera dedicated her career to Uhaul, where she served as the executive assistant to the President before transitioning to lead their finance team. Throughout her tenure, she brought a wealth of administrative expertise and financial acumen to her roles, contributing significantly to the company's operations.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Mary is a passionate advocate for the arts, with a particular affinity for live theatre. Her advocacy extends to supporting local arts organizations and initiatives, believing strongly in their power to enrich communities and inspire creativity.

In retirement, Mary continues to be actively involved in promoting the arts, leveraging her extensive professional experience and personal passion to make a meaningful impact in cultural sectors.