THE TEAM
JJ EL-FAR
FOUNDER, PRINCIPAL
JJ (she/her) is an Arab-American artist, entrepreneur, and creative producer based in Philadelphia and New York. Her work bridges arts, business, and social justice—strategically aligning resources behind visionary artists and organizations. In 2025, she launched FRANK Creative Solutions, a consulting firm providing strategic, development, and production support for creatives and nonprofits. J.J. also founded and leads Rising Wing, a professional network for arts and culture producers, and serves on the boards of the Parent Artist Advocacy League and Kaimera Productions. She has held leadership roles with Philadelphia Contemporary, Pig Iron Theater, Sundance Institute, and more, and previously co-founded the Harlem Arts Festival. A proud member of Women of Color in the Arts, J.J. holds an MA in Arts Administration from Goldsmiths, University of London, and a BA from Brandeis University. She lives in Philadelphia with her family, dog, and many plants.
KAARINA MACKENZIE
Kaarina is a Taiwanese-American painter, photographer, and designer based in Kingston, NY. Her background in fine arts brings depth, storytelling, and impact to every project. She creates human-centered design inspired by art, with experience spanning publishing, live events, and visual storytelling for artists and cultural organizations.
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
OLIVIA DIPASQUALE
DIRECTOR OF BRAND STORYTELLING
Olivia is a storyteller at heart, with a talent for crafting language that shapes how people experience brands, spaces, and ideas. With a background in copywriting and content strategy, she brings concepts to life at the intersection of creativity and clarity—transforming ideas into meaningful connections. She’s worked with brands at every stage of growth, from scrappy startups to Fortune 50 giants, always anchoring her work in a narrative that resonates with audiences and communities.
Originally raised on a farm, Olivia brings a grounded, sensory-rich perspective to everything she does. Since making Philadelphia her home in 2008, she’s been deeply immersed in the city’s creative and cultural landscape. Rooted in a love for travel, cooking, and style, her work is shaped by the textures of everyday life. She believes in the power of story not just to inform, but to move people—evoking emotion, shifting perception, and turning ideas into something memorable, meaningful and relatable.