The Arts Advisory Board of Casa de Duende is a dynamic collective of artists, cultural workers, and professionals whose expertise spans the arts, arts administration, experience in both the non profit and for profit sectors, fundraising, marketing, program development, and equity-driven practices. As thought partners and collaborators, they help Casa de Duende shape projects that center socially relevant art and position artists as powerful voices for change in contemporary culture.
Board members bring their distinct voices and experiences to the table, participating in Casa de Duende planning and implementation in whatever capacity aligns with their skills and passion. Their support—be it through strategic guidance, resource sharing, championing projects in their communities, or helping extend the reach of our work—is the scaffolding that upholds our shared vision. Together, we aim to cultivate a vibrant, socially conscious arts landscape that speaks truth to power and invites communities to see, hear, and feel the world anew.
Eric Cortes is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in communications and marketing. His career has been marked by a strong track record of successfully executing national marketing strategies, overseeing content planning, social engagement monitoring, data analysis, and staying at the forefront of digital campaign trends. Cortes has consistently demonstrated his ability to enhance brand engagement with target audiences and to provide invaluable social media guidance to key stakeholders. Currently, he holds the position of Senior Director of Social at Visit Philadelphia, where he takes charge of both organic, paid and influencer strategies. Throughout his career, Cortes has executed comprehensive marketing, public relations, and social media strategies for a diverse range of industries. Notable organizations in his portfolio include VISIT PHILADELPHIA (2008-2011), Hobsons/PowerSchool, Atlantic City Alliance, American Diabetes Association, National Cancer Institute, Amtrak, and more. His remarkable contributions were particularly evident in his role on the 2020 Census campaign, which was recognized by Twitter as the "Best campaign for pivoting when it counts," and played a pivotal role in encouraging the Hispanic community to complete their census forms. In recognition of his outstanding work and contributions, Eric Cortes has received prestigious awards, underscoring his influence and dedication. In 2010, he was honored as one of the "Delaware Valley's Most Influential Latinos" at an event organized by the Philadelphia Multicultural Affairs Congress and Impacto Latin Newspaper. In 2011, he further solidified his reputation in the industry by earning the Hispanic Professional of the Year Award, one of the esteemed Excelencia Hispanic Business Awards presented annually by the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Eric Cortes has recently received two notable accolades in 2023. He was recognized as one of the "2023 Philadelphia Forty Under 40" by City and State, highlighting his continued impact in the field of communications and marketing. Furthermore, he was also honored as one of the five Colombians celebrated by El Sol Latino Newspaper, showcasing his ongoing contributions to Philadelphia’s Latino community and beyond. Eric Cortes continues to excel in his field and remains a prominent figure in the industry. Eric’s work in Visit Philadelphia garnered his team two Social Media Marketing Awards presented by The Social Shake-Up for Best Year-Round Instagram Presence and Best Mid-Tier Influencer Campaign. His team also took home the Best Social Media Enabled PR Campaign at the 2023 Social Media Masters PHL Awards presented by Social Media Day PHL. Eric Cortes holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Temple University and a master's degree in Writing Studies from St. Joseph's University. His commitment to professional growth is evident through his completion of a graduate certificate in Professional Writing at Old Dominion University in the fall of 2019.
Thora Jacobson is a visual arts management consultant focusing on systems development, project and program design and reflection on contemporary craft and printmaking. In recent years, she has also been an independent curator, having organized an exhibition at InLiquid in 2019 of materials-based artists who have taught in Philadelphia area art schools and influenced generations of students. In September 2020, she juried CRAFT! – the Da Vinci Art Alliance’s first contemporary all-craft exhibition in its 89-year history. She retired from full time employment in January 2018 when the Philadelphia Art Alliance, where she had been Executive Director for four years, became part of the University of the Arts. For three years prior to her tenure at the Art Alliance, she worked at Mural Arts Philadelphia where she served as Director of Design Review and managed the development and publication of Mural Arts @ 30 that examined the expansion and growing complexity of that organization over its first three decades. Between 2009 and 2010, Jacobson conducted a small research project for the Social Impact of the Arts Project at the University of Pennsylvania on “natural” cultural districts in South Philadelphia and created a strategic plan for the Asian Arts Initiative. From the end of 2008 to June 2010 Thora served as Chief Operating Officer at Mural Arts Philadelphia for two years and for three years before that, she was COO for the inaugural iteration of Philagrafika 2010, the first international festival of the printed image in Philadelphia. From 1972 to 2006, she was on staff of Philadelphia’s Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial, serving as its Chief Executive Officer for 23 of those years. There she created and developed both the Challenge Exhibitions (now known as the Wind Challenge since 2005), completed three major capital projects, and built out Fleisher’s Community Partnership in the Arts, working with local elementary schools and local community- based organizations to expand Fleisher’s participation in and collaboration with Southeast Philadelphia neighbors. Jacobson also chaired the Philadelphia Art Commission from 1992 to 2001 and was a Trustee and Officer of the National Guild of Community Arts Education from 2001 to 2009. In 2006, Jacobson was honored by Tri-State Artists Equity for her service to the arts community, and by Moore College of Art and Design with the Visionary Woman Award which she shared with art historian Linda Nochlin and photographer, the late, great Mary Ellen Mark. Thora is an avid collector of art. July 2025