Team

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Leading roles

Sarasota Performing Arts Center Foundation
(formerly Van Wezel Foundation)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2022–2023

Board Leadership

James Travers*
Chairman of the Board

Dr. Jenne K. Britell*
Board Vice-Chair

Vern Chalfant*
Board Treasurer & Chair of Finance Committee

Julie Harris*
Board Secretary

Michael Wilson*
Legal Counsel
Chair of the Audit Committee

Board Members

Gerald L. Biller

Chad Campbell

Mark P. Famiglio

Sharon Hillstrom

Michele Hooper

Dr. Jaih Jackson

David Koffman

Michael Martella*
Chair of the Governance Committee

Dr. John Maupin*
Chair of Strategic Plan Committee

Karl Newkirk

Rochelle Nigri

Walt Pearson

Drayton Saunders*
Chair of the Campaign Cabinet

Nanci Weaver*
Chair of Arts Education & Community Engagement Committee

Charles Wilson

Ex Officio Board Member

Mary Bensel
Executive Director, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

*Executive Committee

Emeritus Board Members

Herta Cuneo †
John M. Dart
Beatrice Friedman †
John Jakes
Carolyn Michel
Michael R. Pender, Jr.
Harvey Rothenberg †

† deceased

Staff

James Travers
Interim Chief Executive Officer
[email protected]

Mark Cole
Chief Advancement & Marketing Officer
[email protected]

Laura Hennessey
Chief Operating Officer
[email protected]

Sara Curtis Robinson, CFRE
Executive Director, Advancement
[email protected]

Kelli Maldonado
Executive Director, Education & Lifelong Learning
[email protected]

Shannon Roddy
Executive Director, Finance & Administration
[email protected]

Suzanne Hudson-Smith, CFRE
Director of Leadership & Legacy Giving
[email protected]

Julie Schwartz
Director of Development
[email protected]

Colleen Chamberlain
Executive Assistant and Board Administration Manager
[email protected]

Kassidy Gardner
Marketing Coordinator
[email protected]

Francis M. Kelly
Manager of Development Operations
[email protected]

Carrie Angel
Administrative Coordinator
[email protected]

Alex Pelletier
Events & Engagement Coordinator
[email protected]

Career Opportunities

Join our growing Foundation team of dynamic professionals to create a legacy project for Southwest Florida – a world class performing arts center that you will be a part of. Roll up your sleeves and step into our fast-paced entrepreneurial organization to help us achieve something truly iconic. The mission of the Foundation is to create and sustain a vibrant performing arts center, advance education, and enrich communities by inspiring minds through the power of the arts. Our values are Passion, Inclusivity, Collaboration and Stewardship. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing leadership team during the start-up phase of an enormous project that will become an important cultural resource and legacy for Southwest Florida.
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