Starting in June, Vicki Todd will be VALA Eastside’s new executive director.

Jessica Lambert will be transitioning out of her current role as executive director to pursue new professional goals while maintaining a presence as a board member and adviser.

Todd, who has a doctoral of education, is memoir artist and life coach currently residing in Connecticut. She taught public relations courses at the university level for 17 years – 12 years as an assistant professor at Quinnipiac University and five years as a part-time instructor at Texas Tech University — while she earned her doctorate degree. Todd also served as chair of the public relations department in the Quinnipiac’s School of Communications for two years before resigning in 2015 to follow her passion of art. Todd is also the author of a visual memoir: “Unstuck: One Heroine’s Journey of Art and the Courage to Live on Purpose.” She holds a bachelor’s in advertising, a master of arts and doctoral of education.

“VALA Eastside has always been focused on allowing our volunteers and employees to grow,” said Lambert, who is also the co-founder of VALA. “I’m transitioning out of the role of executive director as I prepare to head to Seattle University School of Law to pursue intellectual property law as a means of advocating further for artists. I have full confidence that Vicki will bring extensive experience and new ideas to the organization. Her passion for art will only add value to the Redmond art community.”

Todd added, “I’m so excited to make the move from Connecticut to Redmond and honored to be invited into the VALA Eastside family. I look forward to creating exciting events that will further VALA’s mission of connecting the community to art.”

Todd will begin her role as executive director the first week of June.