Meet the Staff

Meet the people who are working hard with you at MINISTRY OF AWE to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary!

  • Over her 25 year career Meg Saligman (she/her) has produced over 40 permanent public artworks worldwide, including some of the world's largest public murals. Saligman's seminal murals in Philadelphia are considered a catalyst for the contemporary mural movement. Her practice stems from a deep desire to use public art to give a voice to those who have been marginalized. With a focus on community engagement, collaboration, and facilitating social exchange in pursuit of shared experience. Saligman’s work has been featured by the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, Public Art Review, and the Today Show. She has received honors from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Mid Atlantic Council for the Arts. She has received the Moore College of Art & Design Visionary Woman Award, Washington University in St. Louis Distinguished Alumnae, and Mural Arts Philadelphia Visionary Artist Award.


  • Lynn Saligman (she/her) is a lifelong resident of the Philadelphia area and has an undergraduate degree from Dickinson College, a master’s in public health from Tulane and a JD from Widener Law School. Lynn has contributed many days, nights, blood, sweat and tears to the development of Ministry of Awe, working with Founder and Artistic Director Meg Saligman from early conversations to brick and mortar. She has worked extensively with state and local politicians on ensuring grant funding, licensing, and compliance. In addition, she has been instrumental in establishing and reaching organizational milestones for Ministry of Awe. In her spare time Lynn loves to travel and has been an active volunteer with Eldernet of Lower Merion.

  • Lizzie Kripke (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist, designer, and director. She helped lead creation of the nation’s largest immersive art spaces as Art Department Head at Meow Wolf, which welcomes millions of visitors annually. Her expertise will guide creation of MoA and ensure an exuberant creative experience. Returning to her beloved hometown of Philadelphia, Lizzie is thrilled to reunite with longtime creative collaborator, Meg Saligman. Lizzie is an M.Arch candidate at Harvard Graduate School of Design, and she holds a BFA in Painting from Rhode Island School of Design and a B.Sc. in Neuroscience from Brown University.


  • Gavi Weitzman (she/her) is a multimedia artist and educator who lives and works in Philadelphia. She received her B.F.A. from the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts in Spring 2021. Her art practice uses printmaking, photography, painting and installation to explore tradition in relationship to gender, visceral femininity, the body and identity. In addition to being an Assistant Artist at Ministry of Awe, Gavi has worked with a number of artists and institutions in the Philadelphia area including Second State Press and the Fabric Workshop and Museum. Gavi continues to build on an interest in Jewish ritual and education through her professional and personal work, and currently serves as a community leader in the Center City Jewish community where she enjoys planning creative, social and musical events with her roommates. To learn more about Gavi and her artwork visit www.gweitzman.com.

  • Ella Dade M. (she/they) is a multimedia artist and educator with a B.A. in Visual Studies from the Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University. Ella has a passion for artistic research and engaging young people in creative investigation. She has worked with Meg Saligman for four years, starting as an Administrative and Artist Assistant during the first inception of MoA and most recently working as the Mural Team Manager on Vantage Point, a 10,000 square foot mural in Olean, New York. Ella is ecstatic to be back in Philly to help make Ministry of Awe a sur-reality!

  • Theo Laws (he/him) was born and raised in Philadelphia. Theo graduated from the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, where he studied drama with celebrity acting coach Melvin Williams. Theo is an entrepreneur, overseeing two businesses: Touch of Class Floors and More and Touch of Class Commercial Cleaning. Theo also works as a private bartender and security officer, and still makes time to perform for the Ministry of Awe. With all of his talents, Theo is what some would consider a Renaissance man.

  • Shawn Charles (he/him) is the leader/Team member of Elite Mobile Bubbles (E.M.B.), a company that does just about anything. In his own words, “We are very private and personal and preferably we only deal with associates of friends/family. We are based out of center city Philadelphia. So if you need help and you are a friend of my friend don't hesitate to reach out and inquire.”

MINISTRY OF AWE

Board of Trustees

  • Mary Catherine Fish (she/her) has over 35 years of experience as an engineer, policy analyst, project manager, and management consultant. She is President of MCF Consulting Inc., which provides advice and assistance to leading companies on regulatory compliance, product stewardship, quality control, auditing, legislative advocacy, and environmental management. She has on-site experience working in over 20 countries. Ms. Fish is a sought-after presenter and trainer. Education includes a B.S., Civil Engineering, Stanford University and M.A., International Affairs, American University, School of International Service.

  • L. Clarke Blynn (he/him)holds a B.S. from the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University. He has spent the last 30 years building and managing hotels in and around Philadelphia. He is a principal with Gulph Creek Development, a hotel development company. Clarke has also spent a great deal of time volunteering for local and international civic associations and charities. He understands the importance of education as the key to positive future global development. In 2008, Clarke became involved with Nurturing Minds in Africa, which provides funding for the SEGA Girls’ School in Morogoro, Tanzania. In his capacity as board member he assists with the development, construction and finances of the school.

  • Over her 25 year career Meg Saligman (she/her) has produced over 40 permanent public artworks worldwide, including some of the world's largest public murals. Saligman's seminal murals in Philadelphia, are considered a catalyst for the contemporary mural movement. Her practice stems from a deep desire to use public art to give a voice to those who have been marginalized. With a focus on community engagement, collaboration, and facilitating social exchange in pursuit of shared experience. Saligman’s work has been featured by the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, Public Art Review, and the Today Show. She has received honors from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Mid Atlantic Council for the Arts. She has received the Moore College of Art & Design Visionary Woman Award, Washington University in St. Louis Distinguished Alumnae, and Mural Arts Philadelphia Visionary Artist Award.

  • Eileen B. Quigley (she/her) counsels numerous businesses, individuals, developers, nonprofits, universities, and telecommunications companies in a wide range of real estate matters. Her practice emphasis is on land use, entitlements, zoning, administrative law, and historic preservation. She represents clients in land use matters before administrative bodies, commissions, agencies, and courts. Before joining Ballard Spahr, Eileen served for seven years in the City of Philadelphia Law Department.

  • Gus Gray (he/him) is a life skills counselor at The Women’ House, a Project Advantage Studio artist, an MLS Studios LLC, and a 7 years Project Home Board Member. Gus has a dedication to the power of community. He is resilient and meditative and possesses an incredible love for art in every form.

Advisory Committee

  • Nel Roch (she/her) is Senior Director, Lending & Investments at Reinvestment Fund, a mission-driven community development financial institution (CDFI) that is focused on providing equitable financing to strengthen neighborhoods, scale social enterprises, and build resilient communities. In that role, Nel is responsible for loan originations and strategy, including cultivating client relationships, loan structuring and underwriting, credit analysis, and management of the closing process. Nel has extensive capital markets and real estate experience, having spent 12 years in the industry before joining Reinvestment Fund in 2022.

  • Joi Deneberg (she/her) brings 40 years experience as a fashion designer, including 20 years as executive Vice President of Design for Jones New York. Joi was named the designer for many prominent labels including Lauren by Ralph Lauren and Ralph Lauren. A Philadelphian at heart and in residence, Joi has a honed vision, with a focus on artistry and design. She is dedicated to simply making her creations “look fabulous in the world that they inhabit.”