Board of Directors
Susan Steffy, Secretary
Susan joined the board in 1999 after her son, Jesse, graduated the Youth Symphony Orchestra after participating in the orchestra its first five years. Her first task as a new board member was to help launch the “Little Mozart” (now Elementary Strings) string instruction program in the public schools and was excited to see the students’ enthusiasm for this opportunity. Watching the students develop into skilled musicians and mature young people continues to thrill her and brings meaning to her commitment to the work of SFYSA. She has lived in the Santa Fe area since 1976 working both as a fine art photographer and as a massage therapist.
Susan joined the board in 1999 after her son, Jesse, graduated the Youth Symphony Orchestra after participating in the orchestra its first five years. Her first task as a new board member was to help launch the “Little Mozart” (now Elementary Strings) string instruction program in the public schools and was excited to see the students’ enthusiasm for this opportunity. Watching the students develop into skilled musicians and mature young people continues to thrill her and brings meaning to her commitment to the work of SFYSA. She has lived in the Santa Fe area since 1976 working both as a fine art photographer and as a massage therapist.
Lisa Adkins, Member
Lisa Adkins is a financial analyst with a BA in Accounting and an MBA in Management Information Systems. She has worked in business and finance at Los Alamos National Laboratory for 25 years as well as the New Mexico Land Conservancy, a statewide non-profit Land Trust based in Santa Fe. Lisa served on The Food Depot Board of Directors for many years and held numerous leadership positions with Santa Fe’s Cub Scout Pack 53 and Boy Scout Troop 414. She is the mom to Nick Adkins, trombone player, as well as Cameron Adkins a senior at Fort Lewis College. Lisa and her husband Ken have been supporters of SFYSA for the past five years, most recently sponsoring the Brass Choir. In her free time, Lisa enjoys attending Nick’s musical performances, traveling, playing with her dogs, and entertaining friends and family. Lisa is originally from south Texas but has lived in Santa Fe for 35 years. She is excited to join the SFYSA Board and support all the outstanding conductors, leadership, and staff as well as the talented youth musicians that make up the five ensembles. Lisa played the B flat clarinet and alto clarinet in her middle and high school days.
Lisa Adkins is a financial analyst with a BA in Accounting and an MBA in Management Information Systems. She has worked in business and finance at Los Alamos National Laboratory for 25 years as well as the New Mexico Land Conservancy, a statewide non-profit Land Trust based in Santa Fe. Lisa served on The Food Depot Board of Directors for many years and held numerous leadership positions with Santa Fe’s Cub Scout Pack 53 and Boy Scout Troop 414. She is the mom to Nick Adkins, trombone player, as well as Cameron Adkins a senior at Fort Lewis College. Lisa and her husband Ken have been supporters of SFYSA for the past five years, most recently sponsoring the Brass Choir. In her free time, Lisa enjoys attending Nick’s musical performances, traveling, playing with her dogs, and entertaining friends and family. Lisa is originally from south Texas but has lived in Santa Fe for 35 years. She is excited to join the SFYSA Board and support all the outstanding conductors, leadership, and staff as well as the talented youth musicians that make up the five ensembles. Lisa played the B flat clarinet and alto clarinet in her middle and high school days.
Lissa Garcia Lucht, Member
Born and raised in New Mexico, Lissa is a native New Mexican who cares deeply about youth and resides in Santa Fe. She is a professionally employed Information Technology worker with a deep appreciation for classical music. Lissa served for many years on the Santa Fe Youthworks Board of Directors in Santa Fe, an organization helping young people of diverse cultural and ethical backgrounds succeed in life. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern New Mexico University and her Masters of Business Administration Degree from the College of Santa Fe. Currently Lissa is attending Harvard University – Business
Analytics Program for professionals. Lissa enjoys hiking, snow skiing, traveling, and visiting opera houses. She played the flute as a child and in high school and college.
Born and raised in New Mexico, Lissa is a native New Mexican who cares deeply about youth and resides in Santa Fe. She is a professionally employed Information Technology worker with a deep appreciation for classical music. Lissa served for many years on the Santa Fe Youthworks Board of Directors in Santa Fe, an organization helping young people of diverse cultural and ethical backgrounds succeed in life. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern New Mexico University and her Masters of Business Administration Degree from the College of Santa Fe. Currently Lissa is attending Harvard University – Business
Analytics Program for professionals. Lissa enjoys hiking, snow skiing, traveling, and visiting opera houses. She played the flute as a child and in high school and college.
Don O'Sullivan, Member
is a husband and father of three young violinists. Don has witnessed the emotional and intellectual benefits of music in his children's lives having spent countless hours supporting practice, rehearsals, and recitals (and yes, sometimes it is very hard work).
Don is honored to serve the community by supporting the Santa Fe Youth Symphony Association, as it and its staff, are a treasure for northern New Mexico and its youth. Professionally, Don is a Program Manager at a national laboratory and a long-time national security professional, serving in a wide variety of management and leadership roles. He has a Ph.D. in mechanical design focused on acoustics and vibration, dual master degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Technology Policy, and dual bachelor degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Russian. Don is an avid skier and mountain biker, whose athletic ambitions often exceed his abilities.
is a husband and father of three young violinists. Don has witnessed the emotional and intellectual benefits of music in his children's lives having spent countless hours supporting practice, rehearsals, and recitals (and yes, sometimes it is very hard work).
Don is honored to serve the community by supporting the Santa Fe Youth Symphony Association, as it and its staff, are a treasure for northern New Mexico and its youth. Professionally, Don is a Program Manager at a national laboratory and a long-time national security professional, serving in a wide variety of management and leadership roles. He has a Ph.D. in mechanical design focused on acoustics and vibration, dual master degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Technology Policy, and dual bachelor degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Russian. Don is an avid skier and mountain biker, whose athletic ambitions often exceed his abilities.
Lee Rand, Member
Lee Rand and his wife, Joohee Rand are the parents of Luke (violin) and Jaden (cello). Lee enjoys actively working to support the SFYSA and the vision of the entire dedicated team. “The SFYSA enriches the lives of children and families in the Santa Fe community and it is an honor to support that effort and give back a little bit of what our family has received.” Professionally Lee is a Partner at Sun Mountain Capital and has spent his career starting, managing or investing in technology businesses. He has an MBA and a dual BA in computer science and mathematics with a minor in English and Native American studies. In his free time, he enjoys skiing and biking with the family and traveling as much as possible.
Lee Rand and his wife, Joohee Rand are the parents of Luke (violin) and Jaden (cello). Lee enjoys actively working to support the SFYSA and the vision of the entire dedicated team. “The SFYSA enriches the lives of children and families in the Santa Fe community and it is an honor to support that effort and give back a little bit of what our family has received.” Professionally Lee is a Partner at Sun Mountain Capital and has spent his career starting, managing or investing in technology businesses. He has an MBA and a dual BA in computer science and mathematics with a minor in English and Native American studies. In his free time, he enjoys skiing and biking with the family and traveling as much as possible.
David H Rogers, Member
David H Rogers is a passionate advocate for music education and community-based performance. He most recently served as president of the Los Alamos Jazz Project, helping to grow music education and performance for kids in both middle and high school. He is a jazz bassist, and performs as often as he can in small combos. He holds a BA in architecture from Princeton University, a Masters in Computer Science from UNM, and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.
David H Rogers is a passionate advocate for music education and community-based performance. He most recently served as president of the Los Alamos Jazz Project, helping to grow music education and performance for kids in both middle and high school. He is a jazz bassist, and performs as often as he can in small combos. He holds a BA in architecture from Princeton University, a Masters in Computer Science from UNM, and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.
Kathie Shultz, Member
Kathie Shultz and her husband Albert returned to his hometown of Santa Fe in 2016. She is an enthusiastic amateur pianist and advocate of diverse musical experiences for young people, and has accompanied numerous school choirs, orchestras, and soloists, including their three children. Kathie has degrees in Biology from Colorado College and Indiana University and has worked as a field ornithologist, but above all has enjoyed volunteering in schools, including developing hands-on science adventures as well as founding an orchestra and instrumental program at their kids’ school in Scotland. She strongly believes that with its abundance of world-class music, Santa Fe is perfectly poised to cultivate highly accomplished - and fun! - instrumental ensembles for its youth.
Kathie Shultz and her husband Albert returned to his hometown of Santa Fe in 2016. She is an enthusiastic amateur pianist and advocate of diverse musical experiences for young people, and has accompanied numerous school choirs, orchestras, and soloists, including their three children. Kathie has degrees in Biology from Colorado College and Indiana University and has worked as a field ornithologist, but above all has enjoyed volunteering in schools, including developing hands-on science adventures as well as founding an orchestra and instrumental program at their kids’ school in Scotland. She strongly believes that with its abundance of world-class music, Santa Fe is perfectly poised to cultivate highly accomplished - and fun! - instrumental ensembles for its youth.
Kirstin Smith, Member
Kirstin Smith moved to Santa Fe in 2021 and wanted to find a community when she found SFYSA. She loves being a part of an organization that brings music to those who may not have the opportunity otherwise. Kirstin Smith grew up and currently lives in Anchorage, Alaska, and has loved music all her life. She played in many different bands and played alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, and trombone. Since graduating from the University of Montana with a BA in communications, she's had the privilege to live in New York City, New Zealand, Vermont, and now Santa Fe. Music and community from being in bands made such a difference for Kirstin growing up. She’s so excited to continue working with SFYSA to support the staff, and the musicians of Santa Fe remotely from Alaska.
Kirstin Smith moved to Santa Fe in 2021 and wanted to find a community when she found SFYSA. She loves being a part of an organization that brings music to those who may not have the opportunity otherwise. Kirstin Smith grew up and currently lives in Anchorage, Alaska, and has loved music all her life. She played in many different bands and played alto saxophone, baritone saxophone, and trombone. Since graduating from the University of Montana with a BA in communications, she's had the privilege to live in New York City, New Zealand, Vermont, and now Santa Fe. Music and community from being in bands made such a difference for Kirstin growing up. She’s so excited to continue working with SFYSA to support the staff, and the musicians of Santa Fe remotely from Alaska.
