Our Team
Howard Sapper
Executive Director
Howard Sapper is a veteran music industry executive with a passion for the intersection of art and healing. As the former CEO of Global Pacific Records, The Harmony Festival, and Extrordinaire Media, he has guided companies from start-up to success. He is currently the founder and CEO of Pushpak, an award winning tour and sales company in the low speed transportation industry.
The father of a daughter who suffered a stroke at birth, Howard was drawn to Everybody Is A Star after witnessing the profound impact that music and art had on her life. For over two decades, he has dedicated himself to researching brain therapy, medicine, and alternative treatments, with a special focus on the role of art, music, and theater as therapeutic tools.
Howard brings a wealth of experience and insight to Everybody Is A Star, championing its mission to empower artists with special needs and create opportunities for self-expression through music and film.
Peter McEvilley
Creative Director
Peter McEvilley is a writer, filmmaker, and creative advocate dedicated to amplifying the voices of artists with special needs. As a founder of Everybody Is A Star, he has helped build a platform that empowers neurodiverse performers through short films and music videos. His background in writing and filmmaking allows him to bring a unique artistic vision to the organization, ensuring that each artist’s story is told with authenticity and heart.
Currently pursuing a master's degree in psychology, Peter aims to integrate his studies into his work with Everybody Is A Star, deepening the organization’s ability to support and uplift neurodiverse individuals. Passionate about the intersection of creativity and mental health, he believes in the power of storytelling to foster inclusion, understanding, and self-expression.
Paula Siegel, MFT
Board Member
Paula Siegel is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 25 years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families. She has practiced in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, schools, and non-profit counseling agencies, and has maintained a private practice in the Bay Area since 1999.
Paula has extensive training in trauma-focused therapy, including Somatic Experiencing and EMDR, as well as evidence-based couples therapy with Drs. John and Julie Gottman. She has also dedicated a significant portion of her career to providing counseling and behavior consultation for parents of children with developmental disabilities and special needs.
Beyond her professional work, Paula is passionate about the mind-body connection and the power of art, music, and creativity in healing. She enjoys singing, cooking, reading and physical exercise including hiking with friends and her four legged furry companion.
Howard Morris
Board Member
Howard Morris graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a B.A. in business administration and finance.
He is a veteran of the music and entertainment industries with extensive experience in the day to day management and operations of record labels, distribution companies, music festivals and several medium size successful businesses.
Mr. Morris is also a caregiver and advocate for special needs youth and young adults. He is an avid supporter of the Everybody is a Star foundation and it's events since it's inception, watching many lives being touched and changed.
Mr. Morris has been a board of director and active member of Sonoma ashram foundation a 501 C-3 non profit that does educational, vocational and environmental training both in the U.S. and India
Neal Sapper
Board Member
Neal Sapper is a seasoned marketing and promotion expert with a career spanning decades in the music industry. Founder of New World ‘n’ Jazz, Neal combined his passion for music with his expertise in relationship-building, leading the company to great success. He earned the prestigious Gavin Award for Jazz and Smooth Jazz Independent Promotion Person of the Year multiple times and was honored with the 2019 JazzWeek Conference Duke Dubois Humanitarian Award.
Neal’s career includes serving as Vice President of Promotions at Global Pacific Records and consulting work before founding his company. Beyond music, he is deeply involved in civic and political causes and serves on the leadership council of Indivisible Marin. Neal is also an avid fan of drama, thrillers, and action movies, drawing inspiration from their compelling storytelling.
