The foundation staff
Julia Leon
Julia is the co-founder, Director and President of the JHVCF. She is also the proud daughter of the late Joe Hanks Van Cleave.
After spending over 30 years in the medical industry and with seven years of volunteer work and Rady Children’s Hospital, Julia now focuses her time on family, traveling with her husband Steven, and her own artwork.
She is the mother of three wonderful daughters and seven amazing grandchildren and resides in Austin, Texas.
“As a little girl, I have many wonderful memories of my mother painting in her studio in our home on Elden Avenue in Whittier.
Mother was bigger than life to me with all her many talents. She could paint decoupage, design jewelry, sew anything and everything, needlepoint pillows, was a fantastic cook and tap dancer. My mother was a very warm and caring woman. Not only was she beautiful on the outside, but on the inside as well. She could do it all and she did!”
The JHVCF will carry on her legacy and the joy she felt while painting and helping other artists to pursue their artistic dreams.
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Steven Leon
Steven is the co-founder, Director and CFO of the JHVCF. He is also the proud son-in-law of the late Joe Hanks Van Cleave.
After spending nearly 30 years in the building materials industry, Steven now focuses his time on the family’s business interests, and enjoys family, golf and traveling with his wife Julia.
He is the father of three amazing daughters and seven wonderful grandchildren and resides in Austin, Texas.
“It is truly an honor to be a part of keeping Joe’s memory alive through her works of art, collaborating with talented artists, supporters, helping others through her foundation and sharing this journey with the rest of the family.”
Jonathan Van Cleave
Jon is the Son of Joe Hanks Van Cleave. He is married to Rima Van Cleave and has one Son, Gedas. Jon is the Vice-President and General Counsel for the JHVCF.
“Many of my most enjoyable times as a young boy were going with my Mother to art galleries and art shows. Now, as a result of my participation in the JHVCF, I recognize her work as much more important than I ever realized. My Mother’s greatest quality was her appreciation for all forms of art and the profound influence it has on all of us”.
Rima Van Cleave
Rima is a co-founder and Director of the JHVCF. She is married to Jon Van Cleave and they have one son, Gedas Van Cleave, who is a commercial pilot, flying out of Anchorage, AK. Rima’s time and energy are dedicated to the support and management of the JHVCF.
Additionally, Rima is the founder and president of the Iknyos Foundation, a Texas non-profit foundation, the mission of which is to translate and produce inspirational books into the Lithuanian language to promote mental wellness and development.
“I believe art, in all its varied forms, is a universal language that provides all of us with new and inspiring ways to think about who we are and how we fit into the universe we live in”.
Ludo Leideritz
Photographer, publisher, gallerist and artist, Ludo has been serving as the Foundation's Art and Marketing Director. "The Foundation has served the arts communities in many wonderful, creative and philanthropic ways. Working with such fine people has been an experience that is both rewarding and also inspirational, as Art should be."