Meet The Team

Hello! I’m Herschel Wilson, a proud Tacoma, WA resident, family man, and tropical plant enthusiast. Graduated Western Kentucky University with a degree in Computer Information Systems. Obtained another degree in Business at Indiana University - Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI). For 14 years, I've shared my life with my amazing wife, Noelle, and our three daughters. Our love for this community inspired us to settle here and open The Painting Panda Pottery Studio, where we’ve been nurturing creativity for the past five years.

Three years ago, I founded Energize Tacoma to give back to this incredible city that has given me so much. Despite living here for just 8 years, I feel immense pride and love for Tacoma, and I deeply relate to its grit and determination.

In my free time, I transform our backyard into a tropical paradise and dive into the world of science and innovation, always seeking to learn and improve. Family is my top priority, and every moment with them is cherished.
 

Noelle, born in South Korea and raised in Indiana, is an accomplished professional with a distinguished academic background. She is a proud alumna of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and holds a Master of Social Work degree from Indiana University. With extensive experience in numerous nonprofits and a substantial career in higher education, Noelle brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her endeavors.

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As a proud mother of three daughters, Noelle stays busy balancing family life with her professional commitments. She enjoys gardening at home and has a deep love for pandas and paint-it-yourself studios, having frequented them in Indiana, New Mexico, and Washington. This love naturally led her to co-found the Painting Panda Pottery Studio.

In collaboration with Herschel Wilson, Noelle provides the creative vision for the business and frequently interfaces with customers. Her welcoming and inspiring presence helps painters feel at home and encourages creativity in the studio. Noelle's unique blend of professional experience, personal interests, and dedication to community enrichment is integral to the success and vibrant atmosphere of the Painting Panda Pottery Studio.

My name is Skyler McVaugh and I have a degree in Environmental Science from Western Washington University. After finishing college I interned with the City of Federal Way in their Surface Water Management department for a number of years before going back to school to obtain a teaching certificate from Western Governors University. I spent the next seven years teaching mainly science but also social studies and a short lived elective course at Truman Middle School. I also had the great opportunity to coach Truman's boys and girls Cross Country team two years in a row during my time teaching there.

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​In my free time I enjoy reading where I tend to switch between fiction and non-fiction every other book. I am also an accomplished athlete having completed two marathons, numerous half-marathons and 5 and 10k races. My 50cc Vespa scooter is also a source of joy for me and if you live in Tacoma you have probably seen me riding it. I am also a strong bicycle advocate and will always be a supporter of increasing bike lanes all over cities here in America.

Janet De La Cruz is from East Tacoma. Growing up in Tacoma influenced her desire to work with and for diverse communities. Her professional experience includes youth development and post-secondary education access. Janet has years of experience working in higher education and most recently she can be found supporting high school students' as they transition to college or careers as a College and Career Specialist. Beyond education, Janet is passionate about serving her community and building meaningful and mutually transformative relationships. 

For fun she likes to spend time with her sisters and friends and watch movies at The Grand Cinema. 

Beverly Naidus is an interdisciplinary artist, writer, and educator whose practice bridges socially engaged art, ecological activism, and community collaboration. As a faculty member at the University of Washington Tacoma, she pioneered a curriculum in art for social change and healing. Her artist books—One Size Does Not Fit All, What Kinda Name is That?, and Arts for Change: Teaching Outside the Frame—have been widely cited in academic and activist circles.

Her work has appeared in galleries, museums, subways, and street interventions, often addressing racism, consumerism, body image, environmental crisis, and cultural identity. She has received numerous grants, including from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and was a finalist for the Andy Warhol Foundation’s Art Writers Grant. She is also the founder of Eden Reframed, an ecological art and permaculture project on Vashon Island that integrates creative practice with sustainable living.