Gixer stories
My Path to Board Leadership:The Intersection of Art and Technology
gixer stories
Author: Matt Wehrman The most meaningful work often happens at the intersections… of disciplines, perspectives, and people. Sometimes, when you follow those intersections, you find yourself exactly where you’re supposed to be.
If you had asked me a few years ago whether I’d one day serve on the board of an art organization, I probably would have laughed. I’m a solutions architect by training – logical, structured, visual, but not necessarily “artistic” in the traditional sense. Yet, here I am, newly appointed to the board of Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center, and I’ve never felt more aligned with a mission outside my day job.
So How Did I Get Here?
Art has always been in the background of my life – not as a central pillar, but as a quiet and meaningful presence. My family holds memberships to local museums, my mother earned her MFA from UC, and my daughter is currently carving her own path in the arts after receiving her BFA from CIA. Supporting her journey opened my eyes to how difficult it can be for young, emerging artists to find spaces where they can grow, show their work, and connect with others who are equally passionate.
Even before that, I’ve always enjoyed building things – not just systems and architectures, but giant Halloween installations with my kids using papier-mâché and chicken wire. In high school, I helped build displays for my church’s haunted house. Those moments weren’t about the art per se – they were about the experience of making something imaginative and expressive. They were about creativity, communication, and community. They were about visual storytelling.
People often see technology and art as polar opposites, but I don’t. So much of what I do as a technologist requires visualization – drawing, diagramming, mapping out complex systems. These acts are inherently creative. They require empathy, too – understanding different user perspectives, and imagining how people might interact with something they’ve never seen before. That’s where the arts come in. They help me see differently. They stretch my thinking not just as a designer of systems, but as a leader.
"Boardway Bound" Leadership Training
This intersection of art and technology became even more tangible last year, when CoStrategix became a supporter of ArtsWave. During one of our All Hands meetings, I learned about ArtsWave’s Boardway Bound program – an acclaimed leadership-training initiative for professionals interested in serving on the boards of local arts organizations. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to give back in a new way.
I applied. I was accepted. And over the course of 6 months, I participated in monthly sessions covering everything from nonprofit governance and fundraising, to the role of the arts in civic engagement and community impact.
Joining the Board of Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center
As part of Boardway Bound, I explored a number of arts organizations before deciding where I might serve best. Manifest stood out immediately. Their mission – to bridge the gap between formal arts education and the professional lives of artists – resonated deeply. I remember thinking: I wish I had known about Manifest eight years ago when my daughter was going through her formal education.
Manifest is a rare space that actively supports emerging artists, students, and young professors. Through their gallery, Drawing Center studio programs, residencies, and publications, they foster growth, dialogue, and professional development in the visual arts. Their exhibits are world-class, yet accessible. Their community is vibrant, serious about the work, and generous with ideas.
But what really struck me was how similar Manifest’s culture is to ours at CoStrategix – focused, thoughtful, collaborative, and open to possibility. Whether it’s designing an application or building a data ecosystem, our work is about transformation – taking something abstract and giving it form, purpose, and value.
I’m still early in my journey with Manifest, but I already feel at home. I’m learning more about the arts ecosystem in our city and how vital organizations like Manifest are to nurturing and elevating creativity, conversation, and community. I’m excited to contribute in the ways I know best – bringing my experience in strategy, systems thinking, and visualization to support an institution that’s making a real difference in the lives of artists and the cultural fabric of our city and across the nation.
Joining Manifest’s board is not a departure from my professional path – it’s an expansion of it. It’s a reminder that the most meaningful work often happens at the intersections… of disciplines, perspectives, and people. Sometimes, when you follow those intersections, you find yourself exactly where you’re supposed to be.
Want to join our team? We’re searching for insatiably curious, digital-minded, critical thinkers who are obsessed with creative problem-solving. If you’re someone who embraces innovation, loves learning, and wants to be part of a dynamic team that’s reshaping the future of technology, you could be the perfect fit!
Check out our job openings to find the role that excites you. And don’t forget to follow us on social media to get a sneak peak of what “Gixer” life is like – we’re constantly innovating, collaborating, and having fun along the way!
