Gallery Team
Yolanda Faye
Gallery Director
Yolanda Faye is a U.S. Air Force veteran, California native, and experienced curator dedicated to telling stories that often go unheard. She brings more than thirty-five years of connection to the military community through active duty service, life as a military spouse, and longtime advocacy for veterans and their families. Yolanda holds a Master’s degree in Museum Studies and began collaborating with the Veterans Gallery as a curator in 2023. In 2025, she formally joined the Veterans Gallery as Gallery Director, leading the revitalization of the gallery and launching its Fellowship Program. As Gallery Director, Yolanda stewards a space that embraces the full complexity of veteran identity while serving as a hub for community, storytelling, and the arts in San Francisco. She is committed to expanding access and ensuring the gallery reflects the diverse experiences of the veteran community.
Serena Kathleen Johnson
Art Director
Serena Kathleen Johnson is a multimedia creative and art director who has worked across nonprofit, exhibition, publishing, and technology sectors. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, her leadership ethos is built from a wealth of experience in design, marketing, and project management. She specializes in visual communication, moving brands forward, crafting immersive storytelling in digital and 3D spaces, and designing solutions that prioritize accessibility and community well-being. Drawing on her experience in the independent press community, she is also a passionate bookmaker and writer. Serena operates an independent design practice and serves on the Board of Directors for the Independent Publishing Resource Center. As the Veterans Gallery's Art Director, she leads our designers, communications professionals, and creatives in telling stories that expand and uplift veteran identities.
Ji Soo Kim (김지수)
Curator
Ji Soo Kim is a San Francisco-based curator whose recent work focuses on the Korean War and its aftermath. Raised across multiple countries and educated in South Korea, she is fully bilingual in Korean and English, enabling her to conduct research and oral history interviews in both cultural contexts. She holds a Master’s degree in Museum Studies from San Francisco State University. She has collected oral histories from American and South Korean veterans and civilians, translating these experiences into public exhibitions. Her recent work includes an exhibition at the USS Hornet Museum (2025), and she is currently preparing a new exhibition at the San Francisco War Memorial Building (2026). Drawing on her cross-cultural background, her work seeks to bridge historical memory between Korean and American audiences.
Nicholas Guzman
Historian and Collection Manager
Native to Southern California, Nicholas Guzman moved to San Francisco where he recently received his Master's Degree in Museum Studies from the University of San Francisco. For years he has had an enthusiasm for Historical Fashion, Military History, and the preservation of historical objects for future generations. He recently opened a permanent exhibition, Roll Call! Life on an Essex Class Carrier, as a Guest Curator, at the USS Hornet – Sea, Air, and Space Museum, blending his three enthusiasms. Currently, Nicholas acts as the Veterans Gallery's Historian, researching, recording, and documenting the activities of the Gallery, both past and present; and also acts as the Collections Manager, implementing best practices for long-term preservation of the Gallery's collection.
Hayley Blonstein
Brand & Exhibition Designer
Hayley is a San Francisco-based graphic designer whose work aims to inspire, connect, and spark curiosity. Originally from Los Angeles, she came to San Francisco for undergrad and fell in love with the Bay Area's vibrant spirit of expression and abundance of community. In 2024, she graduated from the University of San Francisco with a dual bachelor's in Design and Psychology. Fascinated by storytelling, identity, and the unique, everyday lives of people, Hayley's projects primarily exist in the realm of branding, packaging, and publication design. Her work has been featured at SOMArts, Haight Street Art Center, and 500 Capp St.
Zara Allen
Collections Research Fellow
Zara Allen was born and raised on Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i. In December 2025, she graduated from the University of San Francisco with a Master's degree in Museum Studies. Much of her work in the museum field has been shaped by her internship in the Ornithology and Mammalogy department and her volunteer role in the Botany department at the California Academy of Sciences. Zara is committed to connecting museum collections with their communities, particularly biological collections, which often contain specimens of cultural significance. She is eager to apply her experience to the Veterans Gallery, supporting the stewardship of their collections and conducting research into the provenance of these objects.
Clay “Cash” Parsons
Founding Volunteer
Cash is an honorably discharged Marine Corps Veteran who served during the Cold War. From his service, Cash always loved to give back and help others in any way he could, and was recognized with outstanding service for his leadership in creating supportive facilities for his Marine Wing Support Group in the Republic of Korea. Today, Cash continues this spirit of giving back, currently volunteering at the Veterans nonprofit Open Doors to Future Possibilities, and is excited for this new venture to volunteer with the American Legion Gallery to help preserve veterans’ stories, build community through the arts, and create a welcoming space where service, history, and creativity can inspire future generations.
Devan Vane
Gallery Intern
Devan Vane is getting his MA in Museum Studies from the University of San Francisco, and has a BA in History from Trinity College. With a lifelong love of history and arts museums, his fields of interest revolve around Buddhism and British history. During his time in undergrad he created a catalog on Buddhist amulets, and wrote his capstone thesis on the impact of Queen Victoria’s mourning period on public perception of monarchs and grief. In his free time, Devan enjoys reading manga, watching sports, and watching Korean and Chinese dramas.
Contact Our Team
The Veterans Gallery maintains a busy schedule of exhibitions, public programs, and events throughout the year. As a result, there may be a delay in responding to inquiries. We appreciate your patience and will reply as soon as we are able.