Board of Directors

Milwaukee Ballet relies on the talents of many individuals beyond those on stage or in the studios. In addition to our dedicated staff, we are supported by a variety of diverse people who volunteer their time and expertise serving on our Board of Directors and on our Board Committees

Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Cheryl Carron, Board Chair & President | JLL
Christine Irgens, Treasurer & Finance Chair, Chair Elect
Donna Baumgartner
Sarah Thomas Pagels, Secretary, Community Engagement Co-Chair | Laffey, Leitner & Goode
Liz Bickley, Community Engagement Co-Chair | Korn Ferry
Kelly Noyes, Nominating & Governance Chair, School & Academy Co-Chair | von Briesen & Roper, s.c.
Jan Pirozzolo-Mellowes, Immediate Past President | Foley & Lardner
John Rumpf, Advancement Chair | Robert W. Baird & Co.

Directors At Large

Irissol Arce | Northwestern Mutual
Jon Biorkman | BMO Commercial Bank
Jason Eggert | Old National Bank
Gretchen Jameson School & Academy Co-Chair | Versiti
Amy Schmidt Jones | Sensient Technologies
Sarah Kimball
Suzanne Martens, MD | Sheboygan Count EMS, Lakeshore Technical College
Beverley Morgan | Rockwell Automation
Molly Mulroy | WEC Energy Group
Jill Pelisek | UWM Lubar School of Business
William Raasch, MD | Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Sports Medicine Institute
Jodi Ristau | Baird, Phillips Ristau Group
Yollande Tchouapi | Johnson Controls

Emeritus Board

Jane Bell
Kathleen Allen Crocker
Sarah Damsgaard
Katie Heil
Justin Mortara
Jodi Peck

Honorary Directors

Nana Allis*
Audrey Baird*
Roberta Boorse*
Barbara Brumder*
Robert Eiseman*
Mariette Orth*
Joan and Jack* Stein
Mary Trainer

Ex-officio

Michael Pink, Artistic Director
Tai Pauls, Managing Director & Chief Advancement Officer

Committees

Advancement

Chair:
John Rumpf, Board of Directors | Robert W. Baird

Members:
Donna Baumgartner, Board of Directors
Jane Bell, Emeritus Board
Christine Irgens, Board of Directors
Gretchen Jameson, Board of Directors
Maxx Rodriguez, Community Volunteer | Oak View Group
Cherie Paust Swenson, Community Volunteer | Sojourner Family Peace Center

Community Engagement

Co-Chairs:
Liz Bickley, Board of Directors | Korn Ferry
Sarah Thomas Pagels, Board of Directors | Laffey, Leitner & Goode

Members:
Uniqua Adams, Community Volunteer | Versiti
Deana Velazquez, Community Volunteer | MKE Academy of Sciences
Linda Wade, Community Volunteer | Above The Clouds

Finance

Chair:
Christine Irgens, Board of Directors

Members:
Steve Beguhn, Community Volunteer | We Energies
Jon Biorkman, Board of Directors | BMO Commercial Bank
Drew Feller, Community Volunteer | BMO Harris
Jason Eggert, Board of Directors | Old National Bank
Jill Pelisek, Board of Directors | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Jan Pirozzolo-Mellowes, Board of Directors | Foley & Lardner

Events

Members:
Kristyn Brenner, Community Volunteer
Darci Johnson, Community Volunteer | Ipsen
Beverley Morgan, Board of Directors | Rockwell Automation
Maxx Rodriguez, Community Volunteer | Oak View Group
Fran Sutter, Community Volunteer | GMR Marketing
Ashley Voelz, Community Volunteer | Artisan Partners

Nominating & Governance

Chair:
Kelly Noyes, Board of Directors | von Briesen & Roper

Members:
Cheryl Carron, Board of Directors | JLL
Christine Irgens, Board of Directors
Donna Baumgartner, Board of Directors
Sarah Thomas Pagels, Board of Directors | Laffey, Leitner & Goode LLC

School & Academy

Co-Chair:
Gretchen Jameson, Board of Directors | Versiti, Inc
Kelly Noyes, Board of Directors | von Briesen & Roper

Members:
Elizabeth Drew, Community Volunteer | Medical College of Wisconsin
Amanda Elliott, Community Volunteer
Amy Schmidt Jones, Board of Directors | Sensient Technologies
Beverley Morgan, Board of Directors | Rockwell Automation
Brigid Wollersheim | Peace of Mind Wellness

Emerging Leaders Council

Co-Chairs:
Anna Jablonski, Community Volunteer | Sabljak & Budisch

Members
Hannah Chin, Community Volunteer | Whitefish Bay School District

Audrey Cook, Community Volunteer | Godfrey & Kahn

Carolyn Culea, Community Volunteer | Kennedy Dance Company

Katie Gaspar, Community Volunteer | Michels

Jazmin Gonzalez, Community Volunteer | Northwestern Mutual

Sarah Gremonprez, Community Volunteer

Lauren Head, Community Volunteer | Boelter + Lincoln

Stephanie Hobbins, Community Volunteer | UWM School of Continuing Education

Jacob Kalashian, Community Volunteer | BMO

Jessica Lawrence, Community Volunteer | First Supply

Kayla McCann, Community Volunteer | Michael Best

Ben Teich, Community Volunteer | Husco

Get Involved

As we continue to shape the future of Milwaukee Ballet, we call upon passionate individuals to be part of our journey! If you are interested in sharing your talents to further Milwaukee Ballet's work and mission, we would love to connect with you to determine whether the Board or a Committee may be a good fit. We believe that diversity of thought and experience strengthens our organization, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to consider joining us in our mission!

Please click the button below to fill out the interest form and a member of our team will be in touch.

Interest Form

About the Board & Committees

Board of Directors: Our esteemed Board of Directors is comprised of business leaders, professionals, and community volunteers who play a pivotal role in guiding strategic direction and operations for the Company. Candidates being considered for the Board will be interviewed by members of the Nominating & Governance Committee and Executive leadership team.
Advancement Committee: Focusing on Development (Fundraising) and Marketing, this committee’s goal is to provide oversight and guidance for Milwaukee Ballet’s strategies to achieve successful performance and contributed revenue outcomes. With a focus on long-term sustainability, the Committee will review strategies for alignment with the brand vision and strategic goals of the Company.
Community Engagement Committee: Focusing on Community Engagement, this committee’s goal is to provide feedback and guidance to Milwaukee Ballet’s community partnerships and programming within the Milwaukee community. Working with groups like Big Brothers Big Sisters, this committee strives to diversify and exemplify our belief and practice that ballet is truly for everyone.
Emerging Leaders Council: The Emerging Leaders Council (ELC) nourishes young professionals interested in developing their role as a future leader and advocate within the fine arts community. ELC members will provide guidance and ideation to propel Milwaukee Ballet into the future, with particular focus on developing the next generation of patrons and supporters. This council is perfect for young professionals looking for leadership and board experience.
Events Committee: Throughout the year, Milwaukee Ballet aims to put on many cultivation events whether for fundraising, ticket-drivers, or patron engagement purposes. The Events Committee aims to develop, plan, and execute these events via assistance with auction items, sponsorships, ticket sales, décor, food & beverage, etc.
Finance Committee: Focusing on the financial aspect of our business, this committee’s goal is to provide feedback and guidance to ensure the financial health, accountability, and sustainability of our organization. This group’s expertise and oversight helps maintain financial transparency, safeguard assets, and support Milwaukee Ballet’s mission and strategic objectives.
Operations Committee: Focusing on the efficient operations of Milwaukee Ballet's physical and digital footprint, this committee's goal is to provide feedback and guidance to Milwaukee Ballet's Operations Department.
School Committee: Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy is the only school in the Midwest that is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance. This committee’s goal is to provide feedback and guidance for MBSA’s enrollment and programming of all levels with the goal of increasing enrollment, diversity of students, and quality of education.