Deniz Tasdemiroglu Conger
Interim Executive Director
deniz@thecircusproject.org
she/her
Deniz H. Tasdemiroglu, MPA, CFRE, is drawn to life-changing and impactful work that is focused on addressing our world’s most pressing challenges and advancing missions that transform our world. She is a nonprofit and fund development executive with 25+ years of experience working directly in the nonprofit community including health care systems, education, colleges/universities, arts/cultural centers, human service and humanitarian NGOs, and social change organizations. Experienced in leading nonprofits, teams, boards, and communities through multi-million-dollar capital and comprehensive campaigns, program expansion, revenue growth, and change management, she is a globally minded leader dedicated to building community-centered, equitable, and inclusive philanthropy programs. Motivated by organizational cultures prioritizing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and advancing social impact goals.
Deniz is the co-founder of Illumeworks, a social impact startup and founding principal of GoMavi Nonprofit Consulting. Her interests in community building, cultural engagement, and volunteering started early in her life as a first generation American growing up in a cultural community. Those early experiences along with her academic and professional pursuits have grown into a lifelong passion for public service, social innovation, and advocacy. She also serves on nonprofit boards and volunteers with several Oregon and national nonprofits. Deniz is a University of Michigan alumna and holds bachelor and master’s degrees in political science, environmental policy, public policy, and nonprofit administration.
Kari Hunter
Education Manager, and Coach
kari@thecircusproject.org
she/her
Drawing from a background in dance, gymnastics, theater, and music, Kari has been training, performing and coaching circus arts since 2001. Her coaching credits include the Circus Guild, Versatile Arts, Emerald City Trapeze, Le Cirque Centre, the Circus Center (San Francisco), New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA), and the School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts (SANCA) where she served as lead aerial coach for the Professional Preparatory Program. Deemed an “aerialist par excellence” by the Seattle Times, Kari has graced the stage in over 30 major U.S. cities and internationally with the Seattle Opera, Pallazo Variety, Freidrichsbau Variety (Germany), Festival Burlesco (Portugal), and Teatro Zinzanni (Seattle), among others.
Jacki Ward Kehrwald
Communications Manager
jacki@thecircusproject.org
she/her
Jacki has over a decade of experience as a professional circus artist, including contracts with AIDA Cruises, Acrobatic Conundrum, and Cavalia's Odysseo, touring in the biggest Big Top in the world. Throughout her performing experiences, she also mentored in media relations, and developed a passion for visual design and communications. Jacki holds a Bachelor's of Arts from the University of Puget Sound where she studied Anthropology of the Performing Arts, and is currently completing a degree in Graphic Design. She was awarded both the Fulbright and the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship, through which she traveled to Mongolia, China, India, France and Canada to study local performance traditions and training methods in contortion and the circus arts. She is delighted to fuse her two professional passions: communications and the circus arts.
Matt Beene
Finance & HR Manager
matt@thecircusproject.org
he/him
Matt brings extensive experience in banking, finance and customer service to his role at The Circus Project. He strongly believes in humanity's benevolence and is dedicated to fostering a united community through art. Matt is a ninja warrior, parkour and bouldering athlete, as well as an enthusiastic circus arts student with a lifelong dream of running away and joining the circus.