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"Christopher is a virtuous leader with a profound ability to cultivate meaningful, long-standing relationships, which makes him a dynamic leader in the cultural and philanthropic field."

— Kamilah Forbes, Executive Producer, The Apollo Theater

“I cannot imagine collaborating with a more dynamic colleague, whose intellect and heart has influenced the creative output of hundreds of storytellers. Christopher has a rare and deep and inventive spirit, as well as the ability to make visions and ideas come to full-bodied life. He brought into being the most remarkable places around the globe – islands off the coast of Kenya, in the Moroccan desert – designing sensitively for a wide and diverse international cohort of theatre makers. He is empathetic, curious, a gifted producer and blessed with grace and a gentle sense of humor.” 

— Philip Himberg, CULTURAL CONSULTANT

“Christopher has a deep sense of place and people. His attention to detail and the care he imparts to everyone is inspiring. Most of all, I admire his commitment to defying postcolonial practices and unequal production mechanisms in the arts.”

— Jumana Al-Yasiri, Curator

“Christopher is a visionary in the truest sense. His capacity for empathy and sensitivity is limitless and his experience in international contexts has afforded him a profound understanding of the needs of artists and arts sectors all over the world. He faces challenges with immeasurable fresh insight, prodigious poise, and an unwaveringly constructive attitude. The extent of Christopher’s knowledge and drive are second to none: he is a natural leader, an acute listener, and a trusted, valued friend. “

— Abdullah Al-Kafri, Executive Director, Ettijahat

“Working with Christopher over the past two decades has been an honor and a pleasure. His creative mind and thoughtful guidance have been essential to an important partnership. He is collaborative by nature, always an independent thinker, and his good nature is a joy. We are very grateful that he played a meaningful role with Ucross.” 

— Sharon Dynak, FORMER President, Ucross Foundation

"Christopher is the quintessential artist advocate. He possesses a very specific type of quiet power that is always thoughtful, generous, intentional, and honest.  I count myself very fortunate to be among the many artists to whom he has graciously extended that quiet power.  It has enabled me to take great artistic risk towards great reward and fostered a truly global sense of community.  I am so very grateful for his perspective and counsel."

— Somi, Vocalist & writer

“In collaborating with Christopher, we saw both his strategic imagination and his rich, sensitive design sensibility. Plus, he's an absolute pleasure to work with!”

— Casper ter Kuile, co-founder Sacred Design Lab

“I’ve worked with Christopher over a period of five years on the development and evolution of Creative Tensions. Through the many ups and downs of the creative process, Christopher has been an unfailingly gracious and attentive collaborator. He is an astute decision maker with a natural bias toward action, yet he is patient and steady when obstacles arise. I have always appreciated Christopher’s good humor and consider myself lucky to call him a friend.”

— Anna Silverstein, IDEO

Christopher showed up in my post-pandemic, post-uprising, post-optimism, post-faith-in-power, lost-lonely-languishing days with his metaphorical flashlight and brought hope, confidence, and joy. Christopher's singular ability to simultaneously see the systems and the individuals is breathtaking. His gentle permission to his colleagues to take risks, offer vision, change what doesn't work, and extend a helping hand made me glad to show up everyday. Working alongside a leader who allows for our full emotional selves to be brave, creative, and accountable taught me more about leadership than I thought was possible. I am eternally grateful to count him as a friend and fellow creative thinker/agent for joyful change in this wild world.

— Rebecca Noon, Community Arts Organizer

“Christopher had a major hand in architecting some of the most nurturing, productive, inclusive structures for making work and community I have experienced in my thirty plus years of making theater.  He has a great and rare gift for creating and managing systems that manifest an organization’s values in daily practice.”

— Lisa Kron, Playwright & Performer

“One of Topher’s greatest qualities is the way that he imbues any meeting or event that he has organised with the spirit of inclusiveness, graciousness, beauty and respect. This is no doubt because he embodies these qualities himself and leads by example. Topher's thoughtful curiosity and desire to understand the big “why" is a great strength that is increasingly important in a fast-paced world.”

— Roya Baghai, Founder, Videos for Change