Meet Our Board of Directors
Board Photos by Nat Hurt Photography
Board President & Fundraising Committee Chair | Jillian Helget
Jillian was born and raised in Sparks, NV and is true Nevada girl through and through. A dancer for 30 years classically trained in numerous genres of dance including; Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop and Lyrical. She has performed in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and Life and Times of Walt Disney Ballets among others holding such lead roles as; The Sugar Plum Fairy, The Merliton Queen, Doll, Clown, Flora, Alice from Alice in Wonderland, The Genie from Aladdin, Drisella from Cinderella, and many others. At the age of 15 Jillian began teaching at local dance studio Jenny's Studio of Dance where she still currently teaches. Through Jenny's Studio, Jillian found a love for all art forms on and off of the stage! Jillian is honored to have served as Executive Director of TheatreWorks of Northern Nevada for 2 and half years and is thrilled to be back on the board being succeeded by Elisha Harris! Jillian also plans numerous events and produces several shows throughout the Reno-Sparks Community to raise money and awareness for several causes and local non-profits for which she is dedicated including; serving as Executive Director of Miss Nevada and Miss Nevada's Outstanding Teen, state preliminary programs to Miss America and Miss America''s Outstanding Teen. She is a former board member of Our Center, the Parade & Meet n' Greet Chair for Northern Nevada Pride. Co-Creator of Drag Wars - the Kickoff to Northern Nevada Pride and a member of the Board for The Nevada Gay Men's Chorus. She also coaches the Reed High School Dance Team. She owns her own custom costume business "Bently & Co Designs" where she creates custom dance costumes, rhinestones all the things and creates lots of love through her love of bling and glitter!
In her free time Jillian enjoys spending time with her better half Regan, her Lhasapoo Bently and her Chorkie Penny, visiting family in Montana, traveling and camping. Jillian believes that a positive outlook and passion for all that you do will always guide you in the right direction!
Vice President | Ashley Sandifer
Vice President | Ashley Sandifer
Vice President | Ashley Sandifer
Jessica Sanchez Grimaldo has been passionate for the performing arts since she was a small child. Having gone most of her life without knowing of her now diagnosed Anxiety Disorder, this made performing very challenging for her. With her degree in Musical Theatre she hopes to help anyone and everyone with challenging their own personal obstacles to take on the performing arts so that they too can experience all the wonderful benefits the arts has to offer. Jessica strongly believes that everyone in this life is a performer regardless of their occupation or status quo and would love to help anyone who desires to embrace that.
Treasurer | Cassie Russell
Vice President | Ashley Sandifer
Vice President | Ashley Sandifer
Cassie was born in Reno, NV, and raised in Sacramento, CA. She returned to the Reno area in 2003 so she and her husband could start a family. Cassie has always had a love for the arts since she was a young girl. She enjoys painting, drawing, crafts, but live performance theater, especially musical theater, has been her favorite. She is grateful to be able to share this love of live performance with her two children, Seth and Haiden. Haiden has found her passion performing dance, and Seth found his home in acting. Seth has been a part of TWNN productions since Shrek the Musical (Artown 2017). TWNN has become very important to the Russell family, and their involvement ranges from cast, set design, props/set building, costuming, tech, and fundraising. After seeing what TWNN offered the community, and how important it became to her son, she just had to get more involved. Cassie believes that TWNN is a truly special place and important to our community. She is excited to be a part of helping the organization grow and reach more in the community.
Secretary | Scott Benton
Secretary | Scott Benton
Secretary | Scott Benton
Scott is Assistant Director of Operations and Compliance with Volunteers of America - Northern California Northern Nevada assisting in oversight of shelter operations, housing programs and mental health/substance abuse programs in the Northern Nevada region.
After spending 15 years in the medical field, Scott transition from medical practice management and nursing to non profit management.
Scott grew up in Reno dancing for several different dance studios and participating in local theatre, graduating from Reno High School and attended college in Nevada. Aside from working in the non profit sector, Scott coaches competitive cheerleading locally, directs for a local pageant scholarship program and is involved in serving his community by volunteering with the Washoe County School District,
Washoe County Health District and the City of Sparks, serving in
various leadership roles. He is committed to serving and
giving back to the youth of our community. Scott is the proud parent of three adventurous and vibrant children, Mackenzie, Masen and Maddox. Scott enjoys live theatre and concert shows, traveling and watching
his children enjoy doing whatever it is they do.
Board Member | Tina Jump
Secretary | Scott Benton
Secretary | Scott Benton
Tina was born and raised in Southern CA., moved to San Jose, CA., at the age of nineteen, where she began her career with Safeway Corporation. Tina transferred to Reno, NV. where she continued her twenty-five-year career with Safeway. Tina has worked in numerous roles including her career goal as the Regional Human Resources Manager. In this role she currently oversees 3,000 plus associates. Tina takes pride in her responsibilities which include EEO Investigations, being an associate coach and counselor, as well as a store director advisor. Tina acts as a member of the Accommodation Review Committee, interacting with associates with disabilities to identify reasonable accommodations. Tina has taken pride in implementing a work and travel program providing a cultural work experience for international students while supporting the high-volume business, during Lake Tahoe peak seasons. Tina has always had an interest in the arts including, poetry, painting, dance, and the live theater. Tina and her family were introduced to TWNN, during Shrek the Musical, (Artown 2017). While her three children have had an amazing experience being part of multiple productions,
Tina and her wife have enjoyed being parent volunteers. Tina looks forward to supporting TWNN and all they have to offer the community.
Board Member | Cambria Williams
Cambria Williams was born and raised in Los Angeles. Her father was in the television industry which is where she found her initial love of performing. She grew up in small church and community theater productions, which she believes truly formed who she is today.
Cambria has lived in Reno since 2006 and is now the Regional Sales Director of Aflac Nevada North. In addition to serving on the TWNN board, she also holds a seat on the board of the Northern Nevada Health Underwriters Association and the Nevada State Health Underwriters Association.
Cambria is a mom to Rowan (6) and Micaela (2) who keep her very busy, as if she wasn't already. She is excited to be able to contribute to the growth and community impact TWNN will continue to have on our community.