President:  Wendy Black-Nasta

Wendy Black-Nasta, Founder/Executive Director of Artists for World Peace, launched her organization by asking one simple question back in the year 2000, “How can artists help change the world?” That question led her on a journey that has lasted all these years, brought her around the world to help design and create humanitarian projects, while also continuing her own career as a professional jewelry designer and artist. She is surrounded by her amazing Council of Elders, friends and supporters of AFWP as well as her close friends and family who cheerlead and support all that AFWP does. Her life partner, Bobby is her “person” through all that she does. She’s the mom to their two birth sons and 24 children she has become the “legal guardian” to until they reach the age where they are on their own. After that, she’s just their “Mama Wendy.”

Vice-President: Joanne Lombardo

Joanne Lombardo grew up in Berlin CT and sill resides there with her husband, Paul .This is where they raised their 2 daughters, Natalie and Jaclyn.  She graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from UConn and her masters degree from Quinnipiac University. She has been a practicing physical therapist for the past 37 years and currently works at Mount Sinai Hospital. 

She came to know Wendy through her jewelry shows and was so drawn to her spirit. Her close friend Terri invited her to an AFWP Council of Elders meeting and they left that meeting as new members of the council This amazing council of women is made up of intelligent, caring, passionate, creative, funny and hard working women who, together with Wendy’s vision, work to achieve humanitarian goals which seem impossible, yet are always achieved . “This sacred circle of women warms my heart and touches my soul whenever we gather .I am honored and privileged to be part of the AFWP family. In 2024 I was elected to become the Vice President of the Executive Board of Artists for World Peace, as well as choosing to remain on the Council.”

Secretary: Terri Atkinson

Terri Atkinson was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, spending most of her early years in Western Massachusetts.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from UMass and eventually an MBA from the same university.  She began her career in insurance over 40 years ago where she met her husband, Jerry.  They raised two daughters, Emma and Tess and the family eventually settled in Connecticut over 20 years ago.   She has a background in sales and marketing where she developed skills in event and project planning, training, business development, and written communication.

Fate intervened when she met Wendy at an Art Show at the New Britain Museum of American Art in New Britain shortly after she moved to Connecticut.  While attending one of her jewelry shows, she was introduced to Wendy’s humanitarian work and was inspired by her dedication to improving the lives of others in Tanzania, from building a school and health center for children, to bringing a team of doctors for an eye clinic to supporting a group of women making Peace Quilts.

Before she knew it, she was invited to a meeting of the Artists for World Peace Elders Council and to bring a friend.  She and her friend, Joanne, left that meeting as new members of the Elders Council - a group of strong women from different backgrounds with unique perspectives but a shared purpose and commitment to help communities in need.  With Wendy’s vision and passion, the generosity of our many artists and supporters, and our small group of fierce women, we have accomplished so much but there is more work to be done!

Treasurer: Dr. Robert Nasta

Dr. Robert Nasta is a composer/performer, multi-instrumentalist, and educator.  He studied music at The Berklee College of Music, the State University of New York (BA), and was awarded teaching fellowships at Wesleyan University (M.A., Ethnomusicology, Experimental Music) and the Hartt School of Music (DMA, Composition, Music Theory). He has received grants from Meet the Composer, the New York Foundation for the Arts, The National Endowment for the Arts, The New York State Council on the Arts, and Arts In Education. Robert has performed in a variety of musical settings, and has been featured as a multi-instrumentalist—performing on a wide range of instruments. He has taught music at the State University of New York, and Hartwick College, and has been an Adjunct Lecturer in Music at Middlesex Community College since 1999. Robert is also on the faculty of the Community Music School in Ivoryton, Connecticut. In addition to his work, Robert has been the Musical Director for Artists for World Peace, an international non-profit arts organization located in Middletown, CT, since 2012.

General Board Member: Joan Sutch

Joan Sutch- Executive Board Member

I am so blessed to be a part of AFWP, which allows me to combine 5 different PASSIONS! Being on the Executive Board and the Council of Elders allows me to help develop and direct humanitarian endeavors that support local, national and world wide communities.

#1 •PEACE• Feeding, housing, educating and providing access to health care to those in need, uplifting communities to a place of hope and peace.

#2 •FAITH• AFWP has hosted multiple Intercultural dialogs that have given neighbors a safe space to share their views. Including a trilogy event that explained Cultural traditions regarding Birth, Coming of Age and Death.

#3 •FAMILY• Our programs and events give my grandkids the opportunity to meet and work with other young adults who are committed to the arts, community service and humanitarian work.

My husband Ed and I moved to Ct with our 3 sons in 1985 from L.I. NY I attended to Nassau Community College and then New York Tech. We are both active volunteers: Ed-Glastonbury Fire dept, Me- Baha’i Faith, Women’s Club, UNICEF, Race Amity Day. We want our kids to know we worked to leave them a healthy planet and a better world.

#4 •FRIENDS• The magic of AFWP is not only the projects, which are mostly self sustaining, but incredibly, all of our effort feels like play. I love each one of the “Sisterhood” and truly, these meetings are MAGICAL.

#5 •ART• always