Ballet Arizona’s
Board of Directors
Board of Director Officers
Ashley L. Case
Board Secretary
Ashley L. Case, Attorney and shareholder at Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. is a Board-Certified Specialist in Estate and Trust law. Ashley earned her undergraduate degree from Arizona State University (and is an obnoxiously enthusiastic Sun Devil fan). She graduated with her Juris Doctor from Chapman University School of Law and earned her LL.M. in Taxation from Boston University School of Law with a concentration on estate planning. Ashley is licensed to practice law in Arizona and before the United States Tax Court and is a State Bar of Arizona Probate and Trust Section member. In addition, she is certified as an Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC).
Ashley works with her husband, Darren Case, also a tax and estate planning attorney at Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. They have three children and three dogs. Ashley’s journey with ballet began at age four when her parents enrolled her in a local dance school. From that class, she was captivated by the grace, beauty, and discipline of ballet. Today she takes great solace and joy in the dance studio as an adult student. When not in the office or the ballet studio, Ashley is a passionate adventure seeker. Besides taking on wild activities such as bungee jumping, ice climbing, skydiving, and dogsledding, she loves to hike big mountains. She is an aspiring state “high pointer,” meaning she is attempting to hike the tallest mountain in each state in the United States; to date, she has summited the most towering peaks in Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, and North Carolina. She has also hiked seven of the Colorado “fourteeners.” In June 2022, Ashley traveled to Tanzania, Africa, where she summited Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Ashley L. Case
Board Secretary
Ashley L. Case, Attorney and shareholder at Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. is a Board-Certified Specialist in Estate and Trust law. Ashley earned her undergraduate degree from Arizona State University (and is an obnoxiously enthusiastic Sun Devil fan). She graduated with her Juris Doctor from Chapman University School of Law and earned her LL.M. in Taxation from Boston University School of Law with a concentration on estate planning. Ashley is licensed to practice law in Arizona and before the United States Tax Court and is a State Bar of Arizona Probate and Trust Section member. In addition, she is certified as an Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC).
Ashley works with her husband, Darren Case, also a tax and estate planning attorney at Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. They have three children and three dogs. Ashley’s journey with ballet began at age four when her parents enrolled her in a local dance school. From that class, she was captivated by the grace, beauty, and discipline of ballet. Today she takes great solace and joy in the dance studio as an adult student. When not in the office or the ballet studio, Ashley is a passionate adventure seeker. Besides taking on wild activities such as bungee jumping, ice climbing, skydiving, and dogsledding, she loves to hike big mountains. She is an aspiring state “high pointer,” meaning she is attempting to hike the tallest mountain in each state in the United States; to date, she has summited the most towering peaks in Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, and North Carolina. She has also hiked seven of the Colorado “fourteeners.” In June 2022, Ashley traveled to Tanzania, Africa, where she summited Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Ashley L. Case
Board Secretary
Ashley L. Case, Attorney and shareholder at Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. is a Board-Certified Specialist in Estate and Trust law. Ashley earned her undergraduate degree from Arizona State University (and is an obnoxiously enthusiastic Sun Devil fan). She graduated with her Juris Doctor from Chapman University School of Law and earned her LL.M. in Taxation from Boston University School of Law with a concentration on estate planning. Ashley is licensed to practice law in Arizona and before the United States Tax Court and is a State Bar of Arizona Probate and Trust Section member. In addition, she is certified as an Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC).
Ashley works with her husband, Darren Case, also a tax and estate planning attorney at Tiffany & Bosco, P.A. They have three children and three dogs. Ashley’s journey with ballet began at age four when her parents enrolled her in a local dance school. From that class, she was captivated by the grace, beauty, and discipline of ballet. Today she takes great solace and joy in the dance studio as an adult student. When not in the office or the ballet studio, Ashley is a passionate adventure seeker. Besides taking on wild activities such as bungee jumping, ice climbing, skydiving, and dogsledding, she loves to hike big mountains. She is an aspiring state “high pointer,” meaning she is attempting to hike the tallest mountain in each state in the United States; to date, she has summited the most towering peaks in Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, and North Carolina. She has also hiked seven of the Colorado “fourteeners.” In June 2022, Ashley traveled to Tanzania, Africa, where she summited Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Frederick C. Corey
Board Treasurer
Fred worked at Arizona State University from 1986 to 2021. In addition to serving as faculty in communication studies, he held numerous administrative roles, including vice provost, dean of University College and director of the School of Letters and Sciences. Throughout his career at ASU, Fred focused on undergraduate student success through curricular design, academic advising, degree planning, major and career exploration, and innovations in technology that provide students access to the tools they need to thrive. He has published widely in the areas of communication and performance studies with emphases on ethnographic writing, gay culture and personal narrative. He earned his PhD in communication from the University of Arizona, MS in communication from Southern Illinois University and BS in political science from Central Michigan University.
Fred lives in Phoenix with his husband Germain.
Frederick C. Corey
Board Treasurer
Fred worked at Arizona State University from 1986 to 2021. In addition to serving as faculty in communication studies, he held numerous administrative roles, including vice provost, dean of University College and director of the School of Letters and Sciences. Throughout his career at ASU, Fred focused on undergraduate student success through curricular design, academic advising, degree planning, major and career exploration, and innovations in technology that provide students access to the tools they need to thrive. He has published widely in the areas of communication and performance studies with emphases on ethnographic writing, gay culture and personal narrative. He earned his PhD in communication from the University of Arizona, MS in communication from Southern Illinois University and BS in political science from Central Michigan University.
Fred lives in Phoenix with his husband Germain.
Frederick C. Corey
Board Treasurer
Fred worked at Arizona State University from 1986 to 2021. In addition to serving as faculty in communication studies, he held numerous administrative roles, including vice provost, dean of University College and director of the School of Letters and Sciences. Throughout his career at ASU, Fred focused on undergraduate student success through curricular design, academic advising, degree planning, major and career exploration, and innovations in technology that provide students access to the tools they need to thrive. He has published widely in the areas of communication and performance studies with emphases on ethnographic writing, gay culture and personal narrative. He earned his PhD in communication from the University of Arizona, MS in communication from Southern Illinois University and BS in political science from Central Michigan University.
Fred lives in Phoenix with his husband Germain.
Paul Hommert
Board Vice Chair
Paul Hommert is the former Director of Sandia National Laboratories (2010-2015). Sandia has principal sites in Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA. At the time of Dr. Hommert’s leadership, Sandia had an annual operating revenue of about $3.0 billion, and approximately 11,000 employees. Sandia is the nation’s largest National Laboratory.
From 2000 to 2003, Hommert was the Director of Research and Applied Science at the Atomic Weapons Establishment in the United Kingdom, where he led the science and engineering organization responsible for the United Kingdom’s nuclear deterrent. From 2003 to 2006, Dr. Hommert led the Applied Physics Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory. In 2006, Dr. Hommert returned to Sandia to become Vice President of Sandia’s California site. In July, 2010, Dr. Hommert was named 13th Director of Sandia National Laboratories.
As Director, Dr. Hommert oversaw Sandia’s programmatic efforts across nuclear weapons, nonproliferation, homeland security, advanced conventional military developments, support for the Intelligence community, and energy research.
Dr. Hommert earned a BS degree cum laude in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and MS and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering from Purdue University. He received a Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award in 2010 from Purdue’s College of Engineering.
Dr. Hommert retired as Sandia Laboratory Director in July 2015, becoming a Director Emeritus of the Laboratory. Dr. Hommert is currently a member of the Advisory Council for Nuclear Security for the Department of Energy.
Dr. Hommert and his wife relocated to Phoenix in 2015 and enjoy the local arts environment (especially the Ballet), wine collecting, travel, and season tickets to the Diamondbacks. They have two children and four grandchildren.
Paul Hommert
Board Vice Chair
Paul Hommert is the former Director of Sandia National Laboratories (2010-2015). Sandia has principal sites in Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA. At the time of Dr. Hommert’s leadership, Sandia had an annual operating revenue of about $3.0 billion, and approximately 11,000 employees. Sandia is the nation’s largest National Laboratory.
From 2000 to 2003, Hommert was the Director of Research and Applied Science at the Atomic Weapons Establishment in the United Kingdom, where he led the science and engineering organization responsible for the United Kingdom’s nuclear deterrent. From 2003 to 2006, Dr. Hommert led the Applied Physics Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory. In 2006, Dr. Hommert returned to Sandia to become Vice President of Sandia’s California site. In July, 2010, Dr. Hommert was named 13th Director of Sandia National Laboratories.
As Director, Dr. Hommert oversaw Sandia’s programmatic efforts across nuclear weapons, nonproliferation, homeland security, advanced conventional military developments, support for the Intelligence community, and energy research.
Dr. Hommert earned a BS degree cum laude in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and MS and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering from Purdue University. He received a Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award in 2010 from Purdue’s College of Engineering.
Dr. Hommert retired as Sandia Laboratory Director in July 2015, becoming a Director Emeritus of the Laboratory. Dr. Hommert is currently a member of the Advisory Council for Nuclear Security for the Department of Energy.
Dr. Hommert and his wife relocated to Phoenix in 2015 and enjoy the local arts environment (especially the Ballet), wine collecting, travel, and season tickets to the Diamondbacks. They have two children and four grandchildren.
Paul Hommert
Board Vice Chair
Paul Hommert is the former Director of Sandia National Laboratories (2010-2015). Sandia has principal sites in Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA. At the time of Dr. Hommert’s leadership, Sandia had an annual operating revenue of about $3.0 billion, and approximately 11,000 employees. Sandia is the nation’s largest National Laboratory.
From 2000 to 2003, Hommert was the Director of Research and Applied Science at the Atomic Weapons Establishment in the United Kingdom, where he led the science and engineering organization responsible for the United Kingdom’s nuclear deterrent. From 2003 to 2006, Dr. Hommert led the Applied Physics Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory. In 2006, Dr. Hommert returned to Sandia to become Vice President of Sandia’s California site. In July, 2010, Dr. Hommert was named 13th Director of Sandia National Laboratories.
As Director, Dr. Hommert oversaw Sandia’s programmatic efforts across nuclear weapons, nonproliferation, homeland security, advanced conventional military developments, support for the Intelligence community, and energy research.
Dr. Hommert earned a BS degree cum laude in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and MS and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering from Purdue University. He received a Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award in 2010 from Purdue’s College of Engineering.
Dr. Hommert retired as Sandia Laboratory Director in July 2015, becoming a Director Emeritus of the Laboratory. Dr. Hommert is currently a member of the Advisory Council for Nuclear Security for the Department of Energy.
Dr. Hommert and his wife relocated to Phoenix in 2015 and enjoy the local arts environment (especially the Ballet), wine collecting, travel, and season tickets to the Diamondbacks. They have two children and four grandchildren.
Curtiss Smith
Board Chair
Curt serves as President of the Phoenix Region at Northern Trust. He oversees the growth and development of the Phoenix and Scottsdale markets alongside a tenured team of wealth management leaders who are responsible for the delivery of best in class investment management, trust, banking, and advisory based solutions.
Smith joined Northern Trust in 2015 as Senior Vice President and Banking Practice Leader for Northern Trust's Arizona, Colorado, and Nevada markets. He was charged with growing the firm's lending business while overseeing credit and portfolio related risk. Prior to joining Northern Trust, Curt worked at MidFirst Bank as the Southwest Credit Executive responsible for all regional credit risk activities and as Market Manager for Commercial Banking. Before joining MidFirst, he was with Wells Fargo Bank and Bank of America.
Curt earned a BS in accounting from Santa Clara University and an MBA from W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. He is a licensed CPA in the State of Arizona and is a Certified Private Wealth Advisor ® designee through The Investments & Wealth Institute.
Curt is a current board member at Arizona Community Foundation, a member of Greater Phoenix Leadership. He is a past board member of the Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants, Arcadia Little League, and Executive Council Charities.
Curt is married with two children and enjoys traveling, family, and sports. His daughter danced at the School of Ballet Arizona for ten years.
Curtiss Smith
Board Chair
Curt serves as President of the Phoenix Region at Northern Trust. He oversees the growth and development of the Phoenix and Scottsdale markets alongside a tenured team of wealth management leaders who are responsible for the delivery of best in class investment management, trust, banking, and advisory based solutions.
Smith joined Northern Trust in 2015 as Senior Vice President and Banking Practice Leader for Northern Trust's Arizona, Colorado, and Nevada markets. He was charged with growing the firm's lending business while overseeing credit and portfolio related risk. Prior to joining Northern Trust, Curt worked at MidFirst Bank as the Southwest Credit Executive responsible for all regional credit risk activities and as Market Manager for Commercial Banking. Before joining MidFirst, he was with Wells Fargo Bank and Bank of America.
Curt earned a BS in accounting from Santa Clara University and an MBA from W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. He is a licensed CPA in the State of Arizona and is a Certified Private Wealth Advisor ® designee through The Investments & Wealth Institute.
Curt is a current board member at Arizona Community Foundation, a member of Greater Phoenix Leadership. He is a past board member of the Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants, Arcadia Little League, and Executive Council Charities.
Curt is married with two children and enjoys traveling, family, and sports. His daughter danced at the School of Ballet Arizona for ten years.
Curtiss Smith
Board Chair
Curt serves as President of the Phoenix Region at Northern Trust. He oversees the growth and development of the Phoenix and Scottsdale markets alongside a tenured team of wealth management leaders who are responsible for the delivery of best in class investment management, trust, banking, and advisory based solutions.
Smith joined Northern Trust in 2015 as Senior Vice President and Banking Practice Leader for Northern Trust's Arizona, Colorado, and Nevada markets. He was charged with growing the firm's lending business while overseeing credit and portfolio related risk. Prior to joining Northern Trust, Curt worked at MidFirst Bank as the Southwest Credit Executive responsible for all regional credit risk activities and as Market Manager for Commercial Banking. Before joining MidFirst, he was with Wells Fargo Bank and Bank of America.
Curt earned a BS in accounting from Santa Clara University and an MBA from W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. He is a licensed CPA in the State of Arizona and is a Certified Private Wealth Advisor ® designee through The Investments & Wealth Institute.
Curt is a current board member at Arizona Community Foundation, a member of Greater Phoenix Leadership. He is a past board member of the Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants, Arcadia Little League, and Executive Council Charities.
Curt is married with two children and enjoys traveling, family, and sports. His daughter danced at the School of Ballet Arizona for ten years.
Board of Directors
Doug Ball
Community Volunteer
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Doug Ball retired from a 37-year career at Boeing where he was the director for enterprise-wide technology strategy development. Prior to that Doug was chief engineer for Aerodynamics within Boeing Commercial Airplanes. He was fortunate to have worked on every in-production Boeing commercial airplane as well as the Dark Star reconnaissance vehicle. He began his career at General Dynamics where he worked on the F-111 and F-16 programs. Throughout his career he has served as consultant to NASA, the National Research Council and the U.S. Air Force. He is the current co-chair of the External Advisory Board for Ohio State’s Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering program. He also serves on the steering committee for Hyperion’s high-performance computing user forums. In 2006, he received a distinguished alumni award from the university’s College of Engineering, in 2013 he was the recipient of the Garvin L. Von Eschen award for leadership in aerospace engineering, and in 2018 he received a distinguished service award.
Doug currently lives in Mesa, Arizona with his lovely wife, Connie Stine.
Doug Ball
Community Volunteer
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Doug Ball retired from a 37-year career at Boeing where he was the director for enterprise-wide technology strategy development. Prior to that Doug was chief engineer for Aerodynamics within Boeing Commercial Airplanes. He was fortunate to have worked on every in-production Boeing commercial airplane as well as the Dark Star reconnaissance vehicle. He began his career at General Dynamics where he worked on the F-111 and F-16 programs. Throughout his career he has served as consultant to NASA, the National Research Council and the U.S. Air Force. He is the current co-chair of the External Advisory Board for Ohio State’s Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering program. He also serves on the steering committee for Hyperion’s high-performance computing user forums. In 2006, he received a distinguished alumni award from the university’s College of Engineering, in 2013 he was the recipient of the Garvin L. Von Eschen award for leadership in aerospace engineering, and in 2018 he received a distinguished service award.
Doug currently lives in Mesa, Arizona with his lovely wife, Connie Stine.
Doug Ball
Community Volunteer
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Doug Ball retired from a 37-year career at Boeing where he was the director for enterprise-wide technology strategy development. Prior to that Doug was chief engineer for Aerodynamics within Boeing Commercial Airplanes. He was fortunate to have worked on every in-production Boeing commercial airplane as well as the Dark Star reconnaissance vehicle. He began his career at General Dynamics where he worked on the F-111 and F-16 programs. Throughout his career he has served as consultant to NASA, the National Research Council and the U.S. Air Force. He is the current co-chair of the External Advisory Board for Ohio State’s Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering program. He also serves on the steering committee for Hyperion’s high-performance computing user forums. In 2006, he received a distinguished alumni award from the university’s College of Engineering, in 2013 he was the recipient of the Garvin L. Von Eschen award for leadership in aerospace engineering, and in 2018 he received a distinguished service award.
Doug currently lives in Mesa, Arizona with his lovely wife, Connie Stine.
Kristen Boilini
Pivotal Policy Consulting LLC
Kristen Boilini is a managing partner at Pivotal Policy Consulting, a full-service government affairs consulting firm.
Kristen has worked in and around politics for over 30 years, as staff to two governors and as an advocate for business, government and non-profit interests. As a second-generation Arizonan, she strives to influence public policy in ways that benefit all Arizonans and works to support programs that enhance the quality of life in our ever-growing state. Kristen developed her love of dance from her mother and her love of music from her father, making Ballet Arizona a perfect place for her to contribute.
Kristen holds an M.S. in Economics, an M.A. in Human Development and a Ph.D. in Organizational Development. She lives in central Phoenix with her husband, Marco Ceglie, and two Standard Schnauzers.
Kristen Boilini
Pivotal Policy Consulting LLC
Kristen Boilini is a managing partner at Pivotal Policy Consulting, a full-service government affairs consulting firm.
Kristen has worked in and around politics for over 30 years, as staff to two governors and as an advocate for business, government and non-profit interests. As a second-generation Arizonan, she strives to influence public policy in ways that benefit all Arizonans and works to support programs that enhance the quality of life in our ever-growing state. Kristen developed her love of dance from her mother and her love of music from her father, making Ballet Arizona a perfect place for her to contribute.
Kristen holds an M.S. in Economics, an M.A. in Human Development and a Ph.D. in Organizational Development. She lives in central Phoenix with her husband, Marco Ceglie, and two Standard Schnauzers.
Kristen Boilini
Pivotal Policy Consulting LLC
Kristen Boilini is a managing partner at Pivotal Policy Consulting, a full-service government affairs consulting firm.
Kristen has worked in and around politics for over 30 years, as staff to two governors and as an advocate for business, government and non-profit interests. As a second-generation Arizonan, she strives to influence public policy in ways that benefit all Arizonans and works to support programs that enhance the quality of life in our ever-growing state. Kristen developed her love of dance from her mother and her love of music from her father, making Ballet Arizona a perfect place for her to contribute.
Kristen holds an M.S. in Economics, an M.A. in Human Development and a Ph.D. in Organizational Development. She lives in central Phoenix with her husband, Marco Ceglie, and two Standard Schnauzers.
Mike Bolar
Immediate Past Chair, Stoker Ostler
Mike Bolar is Chief Investment Officer and Senior Portfolio Manager at Stoker Ostler.
Stoker Ostler is a wealth advisory firm serving more than 600 individuals and families, across the United States and internationally, overseeing more than $1 billion in assets under management.
Mike chairs the firm’s investment committee, which sets investment policies and portfolio strategies for the firm. He works with clients in identifying their financial goals and establishing investment strategies to help them reach those goals. Mike has experience in investing for individuals, trusts, endowments, pensions, mutual funds, and institutional clientele.
Mike has a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a Certified Financial Planner™. He is a current member and past president of the Phoenix Society of Financial Analysts and is a member of the CFA Institute. Mike also served as a board member for the City of Phoenix Deferred Compensation Plan Trust. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Wichita State University.
Mike is an avid hiker, backpacker, and reader and enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters.
Mike Bolar
Immediate Past Chair, Stoker Ostler
Mike Bolar is Chief Investment Officer and Senior Portfolio Manager at Stoker Ostler.
Stoker Ostler is a wealth advisory firm serving more than 600 individuals and families, across the United States and internationally, overseeing more than $1 billion in assets under management.
Mike chairs the firm’s investment committee, which sets investment policies and portfolio strategies for the firm. He works with clients in identifying their financial goals and establishing investment strategies to help them reach those goals. Mike has experience in investing for individuals, trusts, endowments, pensions, mutual funds, and institutional clientele.
Mike has a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a Certified Financial Planner™. He is a current member and past president of the Phoenix Society of Financial Analysts and is a member of the CFA Institute. Mike also served as a board member for the City of Phoenix Deferred Compensation Plan Trust. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Wichita State University.
Mike is an avid hiker, backpacker, and reader and enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters.
Mike Bolar
Immediate Past Chair, Stoker Ostler
Mike Bolar is Chief Investment Officer and Senior Portfolio Manager at Stoker Ostler.
Stoker Ostler is a wealth advisory firm serving more than 600 individuals and families, across the United States and internationally, overseeing more than $1 billion in assets under management.
Mike chairs the firm’s investment committee, which sets investment policies and portfolio strategies for the firm. He works with clients in identifying their financial goals and establishing investment strategies to help them reach those goals. Mike has experience in investing for individuals, trusts, endowments, pensions, mutual funds, and institutional clientele.
Mike has a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a Certified Financial Planner™. He is a current member and past president of the Phoenix Society of Financial Analysts and is a member of the CFA Institute. Mike also served as a board member for the City of Phoenix Deferred Compensation Plan Trust. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Wichita State University.
Mike is an avid hiker, backpacker, and reader and enjoys spending time with his wife and three daughters.
Carla Cohen
Community Volunteer
Carla Steiner Cohen was born in Ripon, Wisconsin on May 18, 1959. She and her husband, Adrian, split their time each year between their homes in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee, and Scottsdale, Arizona.
Carla has a degree in fashion merchandising from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. After college, she was a buyer and manager of several departments of the Boston Store, a Midwest-based store chain. She left the retail world to work for the research department of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Wisconsin's largest newspaper, focusing on the creation and analysis of consumer and political polling.
Carla has been devoted to ballet from an early age. She began lessons at the age of four, and continued through high school dancing en pointe with the Ripon College dance corps. She was a longtime season ticket holder with the Milwaukee Ballet, and became involved with Ballet Arizona as a Circles member.
Carla has been devoted for many years to community activities. She served as a member and chair of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation committee on Jewish Community Center children's programming. She also served on the local PTA of her children's schools. Carla served for a decade at a meal kitchen for underprivileged Milwaukee residents, and has volunteered in Phoenix at the St. Mary's Food Bank. She has been closely participating in Phoenix for more than five years with activities connected to Adrian's position as an executive member of the board of trustees of the Heard Museum.
Carla's interests beyond ballet include golf. She has assumed leadership positions as a president of the ladies' division of Wisconsin's North Shore Country Club, and as the club's tournament representative for the Milwaukee Women's Golf District Association.
Carla is the principal owner of a manufactured home community in the Milwaukee suburb of Cudahy.
Carla Cohen
Community Volunteer
Carla Steiner Cohen was born in Ripon, Wisconsin on May 18, 1959. She and her husband, Adrian, split their time each year between their homes in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee, and Scottsdale, Arizona.
Carla has a degree in fashion merchandising from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. After college, she was a buyer and manager of several departments of the Boston Store, a Midwest-based store chain. She left the retail world to work for the research department of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Wisconsin's largest newspaper, focusing on the creation and analysis of consumer and political polling.
Carla has been devoted to ballet from an early age. She began lessons at the age of four, and continued through high school dancing en pointe with the Ripon College dance corps. She was a longtime season ticket holder with the Milwaukee Ballet, and became involved with Ballet Arizona as a Circles member.
Carla has been devoted for many years to community activities. She served as a member and chair of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation committee on Jewish Community Center children's programming. She also served on the local PTA of her children's schools. Carla served for a decade at a meal kitchen for underprivileged Milwaukee residents, and has volunteered in Phoenix at the St. Mary's Food Bank. She has been closely participating in Phoenix for more than five years with activities connected to Adrian's position as an executive member of the board of trustees of the Heard Museum.
Carla's interests beyond ballet include golf. She has assumed leadership positions as a president of the ladies' division of Wisconsin's North Shore Country Club, and as the club's tournament representative for the Milwaukee Women's Golf District Association.
Carla is the principal owner of a manufactured home community in the Milwaukee suburb of Cudahy.
Carla Cohen
Community Volunteer
Carla Steiner Cohen was born in Ripon, Wisconsin on May 18, 1959. She and her husband, Adrian, split their time each year between their homes in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee, and Scottsdale, Arizona.
Carla has a degree in fashion merchandising from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. After college, she was a buyer and manager of several departments of the Boston Store, a Midwest-based store chain. She left the retail world to work for the research department of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Wisconsin's largest newspaper, focusing on the creation and analysis of consumer and political polling.
Carla has been devoted to ballet from an early age. She began lessons at the age of four, and continued through high school dancing en pointe with the Ripon College dance corps. She was a longtime season ticket holder with the Milwaukee Ballet, and became involved with Ballet Arizona as a Circles member.
Carla has been devoted for many years to community activities. She served as a member and chair of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation committee on Jewish Community Center children's programming. She also served on the local PTA of her children's schools. Carla served for a decade at a meal kitchen for underprivileged Milwaukee residents, and has volunteered in Phoenix at the St. Mary's Food Bank. She has been closely participating in Phoenix for more than five years with activities connected to Adrian's position as an executive member of the board of trustees of the Heard Museum.
Carla's interests beyond ballet include golf. She has assumed leadership positions as a president of the ladies' division of Wisconsin's North Shore Country Club, and as the club's tournament representative for the Milwaukee Women's Golf District Association.
Carla is the principal owner of a manufactured home community in the Milwaukee suburb of Cudahy.
Stephen Hardy
Community Advocate, Author
Stephen Hardy grew up in the Pacific Northwest, where his first exposure to ballet was at the age of 12 when he saw Coppelia at PNB. Though his opportunity to see more ballet was limited, he never forgot the experience, and as an adult, ballet became and has remained his first artistic love.
His career of twenty-plus years as a fashion designer provided him with the opportunity to live and work in San Franciso and New York City and to travel throughout Asia. In New York City, where he met his husband, Addison, Stephen took advantage of the arts and culture available with relish. They were season subscribers to NYC Opera, NYC Ballet, The Joyce, Manhattan Theatre Club, and New York Theatre Workshop, among other arts organizations. In 2008, he left the Fashion industry to be a stay-at-home dad to his and his husband’s two adopted sons, raising them in rural Connecticut. In 2015, a job offer brought the family to Phoenix. Delving into the arts scene, they quickly became subscribers and donors to Phoenix Theatre, Arizona Opera, Stray Cat Theatre, Black Theatre Troupe, and, of course, Ballet Arizona, among others.
Stephen is currently developing his career as a novelist and has published several books of fiction.
Stephen Hardy
Community Advocate, Author
Stephen Hardy grew up in the Pacific Northwest, where his first exposure to ballet was at the age of 12 when he saw Coppelia at PNB. Though his opportunity to see more ballet was limited, he never forgot the experience, and as an adult, ballet became and has remained his first artistic love.
His career of twenty-plus years as a fashion designer provided him with the opportunity to live and work in San Franciso and New York City and to travel throughout Asia. In New York City, where he met his husband, Addison, Stephen took advantage of the arts and culture available with relish. They were season subscribers to NYC Opera, NYC Ballet, The Joyce, Manhattan Theatre Club, and New York Theatre Workshop, among other arts organizations. In 2008, he left the Fashion industry to be a stay-at-home dad to his and his husband’s two adopted sons, raising them in rural Connecticut. In 2015, a job offer brought the family to Phoenix. Delving into the arts scene, they quickly became subscribers and donors to Phoenix Theatre, Arizona Opera, Stray Cat Theatre, Black Theatre Troupe, and, of course, Ballet Arizona, among others.
Stephen is currently developing his career as a novelist and has published several books of fiction.
Stephen Hardy
Community Advocate, Author
Stephen Hardy grew up in the Pacific Northwest, where his first exposure to ballet was at the age of 12 when he saw Coppelia at PNB. Though his opportunity to see more ballet was limited, he never forgot the experience, and as an adult, ballet became and has remained his first artistic love.
His career of twenty-plus years as a fashion designer provided him with the opportunity to live and work in San Franciso and New York City and to travel throughout Asia. In New York City, where he met his husband, Addison, Stephen took advantage of the arts and culture available with relish. They were season subscribers to NYC Opera, NYC Ballet, The Joyce, Manhattan Theatre Club, and New York Theatre Workshop, among other arts organizations. In 2008, he left the Fashion industry to be a stay-at-home dad to his and his husband’s two adopted sons, raising them in rural Connecticut. In 2015, a job offer brought the family to Phoenix. Delving into the arts scene, they quickly became subscribers and donors to Phoenix Theatre, Arizona Opera, Stray Cat Theatre, Black Theatre Troupe, and, of course, Ballet Arizona, among others.
Stephen is currently developing his career as a novelist and has published several books of fiction.
Eleni Hauptman
Plattner, Schneidman & Schneider, P.C.
Eleni Hauptman is a partner at Plattner, Schneidman & Schneider, P.C.
Plattner, Schneidman & Schneider, P.C. is a boutique law firm specializing in business, estate planning, real estate, and tax planning matters. Eleni practices in the areas of estate planning, tax planning, and probate and trust administration. She is a licensed attorney in Arizona and Wyoming.
Eleni earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Public Administration and Policy from the University of Arizona and her juris doctor degree from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.
Eleni is a southern Arizona native. Eleni is excited to be a part of Ballet Arizona and is dedicated to expanding the reach of Ballet Arizona to those in her community and beyond.
Eleni is married to Jeremy Hauptman, and they have a son, Noah (age 2), and are expecting their second child in February 2024!
Eleni Hauptman
Plattner, Schneidman & Schneider, P.C.
Eleni Hauptman is a partner at Plattner, Schneidman & Schneider, P.C.
Plattner, Schneidman & Schneider, P.C. is a boutique law firm specializing in business, estate planning, real estate, and tax planning matters. Eleni practices in the areas of estate planning, tax planning, and probate and trust administration. She is a licensed attorney in Arizona and Wyoming.
Eleni earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Public Administration and Policy from the University of Arizona and her juris doctor degree from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.
Eleni is a southern Arizona native. Eleni is excited to be a part of Ballet Arizona and is dedicated to expanding the reach of Ballet Arizona to those in her community and beyond.
Eleni is married to Jeremy Hauptman, and they have a son, Noah (age 2), and are expecting their second child in February 2024!
Eleni Hauptman
Plattner, Schneidman & Schneider, P.C.
Eleni Hauptman is a partner at Plattner, Schneidman & Schneider, P.C.
Plattner, Schneidman & Schneider, P.C. is a boutique law firm specializing in business, estate planning, real estate, and tax planning matters. Eleni practices in the areas of estate planning, tax planning, and probate and trust administration. She is a licensed attorney in Arizona and Wyoming.
Eleni earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Public Administration and Policy from the University of Arizona and her juris doctor degree from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University.
Eleni is a southern Arizona native. Eleni is excited to be a part of Ballet Arizona and is dedicated to expanding the reach of Ballet Arizona to those in her community and beyond.
Eleni is married to Jeremy Hauptman, and they have a son, Noah (age 2), and are expecting their second child in February 2024!
Kat Hurd
Saluda Medical
Kat Hurd is a Vice President of Sales for Saluda Medical.
Professionally, Kat has dedicated her energy to help chronic pain patients restore their quality of life and physical function with innovative implantable technology. Whether here in the Valley or across the Western US, her time is spent helping providers gain access to emerging technologies and connect with a broader population of patients to improve access to care. Prior to joining Saluda Medical, Kat spent 11 years at Boston Scientific, also in implantable technologies. She holds a Masters degree in Exercise Science, and Baccalaureate degrees in Physiology and Dance, all from the University of Iowa.
Kat’s love of dance began at a young age, continued through college, and extended into her adult life as a Phoenix Suns Dancer. She has a prolific resume of philanthropic activity, most notably raising more than $200,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and is excited to combine her passion for dance and her prowess in fundraising. Kat’s specific interests include increasing community exposure to the arts and broadening access to dance education for Phoenicians of all ages.
Kat Hurd
Saluda Medical
Kat Hurd is a Vice President of Sales for Saluda Medical.
Professionally, Kat has dedicated her energy to help chronic pain patients restore their quality of life and physical function with innovative implantable technology. Whether here in the Valley or across the Western US, her time is spent helping providers gain access to emerging technologies and connect with a broader population of patients to improve access to care. Prior to joining Saluda Medical, Kat spent 11 years at Boston Scientific, also in implantable technologies. She holds a Masters degree in Exercise Science, and Baccalaureate degrees in Physiology and Dance, all from the University of Iowa.
Kat’s love of dance began at a young age, continued through college, and extended into her adult life as a Phoenix Suns Dancer. She has a prolific resume of philanthropic activity, most notably raising more than $200,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and is excited to combine her passion for dance and her prowess in fundraising. Kat’s specific interests include increasing community exposure to the arts and broadening access to dance education for Phoenicians of all ages.
Kat Hurd
Saluda Medical
Kat Hurd is a Vice President of Sales for Saluda Medical.
Professionally, Kat has dedicated her energy to help chronic pain patients restore their quality of life and physical function with innovative implantable technology. Whether here in the Valley or across the Western US, her time is spent helping providers gain access to emerging technologies and connect with a broader population of patients to improve access to care. Prior to joining Saluda Medical, Kat spent 11 years at Boston Scientific, also in implantable technologies. She holds a Masters degree in Exercise Science, and Baccalaureate degrees in Physiology and Dance, all from the University of Iowa.
Kat’s love of dance began at a young age, continued through college, and extended into her adult life as a Phoenix Suns Dancer. She has a prolific resume of philanthropic activity, most notably raising more than $200,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and is excited to combine her passion for dance and her prowess in fundraising. Kat’s specific interests include increasing community exposure to the arts and broadening access to dance education for Phoenicians of all ages.
Barbara Katz
The Katz Company EMC, Inc.
Barbara “Barb” Katz has been a consultant, trainer, columnist and recruiter in the world of emergency medicine for 30 years and is considered the country’s leading expert in the emergency medicine job market.
She received a BA in fine arts in 1973 from West Virginia University and spent the next 20 years chasing the dream in Manhattan, before getting involved with the physician recruiting industry, eventually opening her own firm in 2001.
Barb relocated to Phoenix in 2007 and, after spending nearly 16 years as a Rotarian, she has chosen to focus her commitment and efforts on the arts as well as the Arizona wine and restaurant industries. Barb joined the board of Ballet Arizona in 2019 after nearly a year as a Prima Circle donor and hopes to create a bridge between the ballet and the Arizona wine and food scene.
Barbara Katz
The Katz Company EMC, Inc.
Barbara “Barb” Katz has been a consultant, trainer, columnist and recruiter in the world of emergency medicine for 30 years and is considered the country’s leading expert in the emergency medicine job market.
She received a BA in fine arts in 1973 from West Virginia University and spent the next 20 years chasing the dream in Manhattan, before getting involved with the physician recruiting industry, eventually opening her own firm in 2001.
Barb relocated to Phoenix in 2007 and, after spending nearly 16 years as a Rotarian, she has chosen to focus her commitment and efforts on the arts as well as the Arizona wine and restaurant industries. Barb joined the board of Ballet Arizona in 2019 after nearly a year as a Prima Circle donor and hopes to create a bridge between the ballet and the Arizona wine and food scene.
Barbara Katz
The Katz Company EMC, Inc.
Barbara “Barb” Katz has been a consultant, trainer, columnist and recruiter in the world of emergency medicine for 30 years and is considered the country’s leading expert in the emergency medicine job market.
She received a BA in fine arts in 1973 from West Virginia University and spent the next 20 years chasing the dream in Manhattan, before getting involved with the physician recruiting industry, eventually opening her own firm in 2001.
Barb relocated to Phoenix in 2007 and, after spending nearly 16 years as a Rotarian, she has chosen to focus her commitment and efforts on the arts as well as the Arizona wine and restaurant industries. Barb joined the board of Ballet Arizona in 2019 after nearly a year as a Prima Circle donor and hopes to create a bridge between the ballet and the Arizona wine and food scene.
John Kinser
Enterprise Bank & Trust
John Kinser leads the Commercial Real Estate banking group at Enterprise Bank & Trust. In addition to leading the production team in Arizona, his duties include leadership and mentoring of all CRE professionals in the Southwest markets including Arizona, Southern California, Nevada, and New Mexico. He sits on the board of REIAC and is a prospective member of the Men’s Arts Counsel.
John is a Phoenix, Arizona native who can often be found hiking and biking around the beautiful Sonoran Desert. His passion is big mountain trekking and has travelled the world in search of adventure including New Zealand, Japan, Iceland, Chile and Nepal, among others.
John earned both a BS in Finance and an MBA from Arizona State University (Go Devils!).
John Kinser
Enterprise Bank & Trust
John Kinser leads the Commercial Real Estate banking group at Enterprise Bank & Trust. In addition to leading the production team in Arizona, his duties include leadership and mentoring of all CRE professionals in the Southwest markets including Arizona, Southern California, Nevada, and New Mexico. He sits on the board of REIAC and is a prospective member of the Men’s Arts Counsel.
John is a Phoenix, Arizona native who can often be found hiking and biking around the beautiful Sonoran Desert. His passion is big mountain trekking and has travelled the world in search of adventure including New Zealand, Japan, Iceland, Chile and Nepal, among others.
John earned both a BS in Finance and an MBA from Arizona State University (Go Devils!).
John Kinser
Enterprise Bank & Trust
John Kinser leads the Commercial Real Estate banking group at Enterprise Bank & Trust. In addition to leading the production team in Arizona, his duties include leadership and mentoring of all CRE professionals in the Southwest markets including Arizona, Southern California, Nevada, and New Mexico. He sits on the board of REIAC and is a prospective member of the Men’s Arts Counsel.
John is a Phoenix, Arizona native who can often be found hiking and biking around the beautiful Sonoran Desert. His passion is big mountain trekking and has travelled the world in search of adventure including New Zealand, Japan, Iceland, Chile and Nepal, among others.
John earned both a BS in Finance and an MBA from Arizona State University (Go Devils!).
Sarah Kist
APS
Sarah Kist is the General Manager of Fossil Engineering at Arizona Public Service Company (APS). Sarah leads an organization of engineers and project managers that support the Fossil Generation Fleet across the state as well as in New Mexico, including six gas and oil-fired power plants and two coal-fired power plants. Sarah has worked for APS for over ten years holding various roles in engineering and operations across the company’s different business units including roles at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Transmission and Distribution, and the Fossil organization.
Sarah was born in Illinois and relocated to Arizona with her family in 1988. She attended college at Arizona State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering in 2005.
Sarah is married with two daughters and in her free time enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Sarah Kist
APS
Sarah Kist is the General Manager of Fossil Engineering at Arizona Public Service Company (APS). Sarah leads an organization of engineers and project managers that support the Fossil Generation Fleet across the state as well as in New Mexico, including six gas and oil-fired power plants and two coal-fired power plants. Sarah has worked for APS for over ten years holding various roles in engineering and operations across the company’s different business units including roles at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Transmission and Distribution, and the Fossil organization.
Sarah was born in Illinois and relocated to Arizona with her family in 1988. She attended college at Arizona State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering in 2005.
Sarah is married with two daughters and in her free time enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Sarah Kist
APS
Sarah Kist is the General Manager of Fossil Engineering at Arizona Public Service Company (APS). Sarah leads an organization of engineers and project managers that support the Fossil Generation Fleet across the state as well as in New Mexico, including six gas and oil-fired power plants and two coal-fired power plants. Sarah has worked for APS for over ten years holding various roles in engineering and operations across the company’s different business units including roles at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Transmission and Distribution, and the Fossil organization.
Sarah was born in Illinois and relocated to Arizona with her family in 1988. She attended college at Arizona State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering in 2005.
Sarah is married with two daughters and in her free time enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Karen Jurichko Lowell
Womble Bond Dickinson
Karen Jurichko Lowell is a partner in Womble Bond Dickinson’s Business Transactions and Tax practice groups, advising clients on a variety of business and tax planning matters.
With a proven background in resolving business tax disputes, Karen guides clients on sales, use, and property tax matters, including tax audits and appeals through various administrative stages, the tax court, and the court of appeals. She advises manufacturers, high-tech companies, construction contractors and developers, electric utilities, solar energy companies, tax exempt organizations, and other clients on various multistate sales and use tax issues, including advising e-commerce businesses on their multistate sales and use tax nexus and collection obligations. She also has experience with property tax valuation appeals for various types of industrial and commercial properties, corporate transactions, and health care taxes. Karen has also helped clients plan and execute strategies, solve problems, and realize opportunities using business law, primarily in corporate formation, financing and acquisition transactions, exempt status applications, and contract negotiations. Her clients include public and private companies (startups as well as medium and large businesses), for-profit and nonprofit corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
Like many children, Karen started taking ballet classes as a young child and fell in love with the art form. She has been a fan and supporter of Ballet Arizona for years, including serving for three years on Ballet Arizona’s Contemporary Council, and is excited to continue supporting Ballet Arizona as a Board Member.
Karen Jurichko Lowell
Womble Bond Dickinson
Karen Jurichko Lowell is a partner in Womble Bond Dickinson’s Business Transactions and Tax practice groups, advising clients on a variety of business and tax planning matters.
With a proven background in resolving business tax disputes, Karen guides clients on sales, use, and property tax matters, including tax audits and appeals through various administrative stages, the tax court, and the court of appeals. She advises manufacturers, high-tech companies, construction contractors and developers, electric utilities, solar energy companies, tax exempt organizations, and other clients on various multistate sales and use tax issues, including advising e-commerce businesses on their multistate sales and use tax nexus and collection obligations. She also has experience with property tax valuation appeals for various types of industrial and commercial properties, corporate transactions, and health care taxes. Karen has also helped clients plan and execute strategies, solve problems, and realize opportunities using business law, primarily in corporate formation, financing and acquisition transactions, exempt status applications, and contract negotiations. Her clients include public and private companies (startups as well as medium and large businesses), for-profit and nonprofit corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
Like many children, Karen started taking ballet classes as a young child and fell in love with the art form. She has been a fan and supporter of Ballet Arizona for years, including serving for three years on Ballet Arizona’s Contemporary Council, and is excited to continue supporting Ballet Arizona as a Board Member.
Karen Jurichko Lowell
Womble Bond Dickinson
Karen Jurichko Lowell is a partner in Womble Bond Dickinson’s Business Transactions and Tax practice groups, advising clients on a variety of business and tax planning matters.
With a proven background in resolving business tax disputes, Karen guides clients on sales, use, and property tax matters, including tax audits and appeals through various administrative stages, the tax court, and the court of appeals. She advises manufacturers, high-tech companies, construction contractors and developers, electric utilities, solar energy companies, tax exempt organizations, and other clients on various multistate sales and use tax issues, including advising e-commerce businesses on their multistate sales and use tax nexus and collection obligations. She also has experience with property tax valuation appeals for various types of industrial and commercial properties, corporate transactions, and health care taxes. Karen has also helped clients plan and execute strategies, solve problems, and realize opportunities using business law, primarily in corporate formation, financing and acquisition transactions, exempt status applications, and contract negotiations. Her clients include public and private companies (startups as well as medium and large businesses), for-profit and nonprofit corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
Like many children, Karen started taking ballet classes as a young child and fell in love with the art form. She has been a fan and supporter of Ballet Arizona for years, including serving for three years on Ballet Arizona’s Contemporary Council, and is excited to continue supporting Ballet Arizona as a Board Member.
Mary Ann Luciano
Community Volunteer
Mary Ann grew up in New York City and has been a lifelong, passionate lover of ballet and opera since childhood. She feels honored that she grew up seeing performances by all of the great superstars with the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater and the Metropolitan Opera. Moving to Arizona, she likewise developed a passion for Ballet Arizona and is thrilled to be affiliated with such a fantastic organization that receives increasing national recognition. She hopes to bring the perspective and knowledge to the board that comes with the vast experience of ballet appreciation.
In her professional career, Mary Ann has worked for some of the largest global cosmetics companies developing sales leaders around the world. She has consulted and led programs to enhance executives’ skills as leaders and communicators in both New York and Arizona. She currently serves on the board of the Cancer Support Community of Arizona. Previously, she was a docent for the Heard Museum and is involved in numerous local charities including Phoenix Children’s Hospital, The Salvation Army, and St. Mary’s Foodbank Alliance.
Mary Ann Luciano
Community Volunteer
Mary Ann grew up in New York City and has been a lifelong, passionate lover of ballet and opera since childhood. She feels honored that she grew up seeing performances by all of the great superstars with the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater and the Metropolitan Opera. Moving to Arizona, she likewise developed a passion for Ballet Arizona and is thrilled to be affiliated with such a fantastic organization that receives increasing national recognition. She hopes to bring the perspective and knowledge to the board that comes with the vast experience of ballet appreciation.
In her professional career, Mary Ann has worked for some of the largest global cosmetics companies developing sales leaders around the world. She has consulted and led programs to enhance executives’ skills as leaders and communicators in both New York and Arizona. She currently serves on the board of the Cancer Support Community of Arizona. Previously, she was a docent for the Heard Museum and is involved in numerous local charities including Phoenix Children’s Hospital, The Salvation Army, and St. Mary’s Foodbank Alliance.
Mary Ann Luciano
Community Volunteer
Mary Ann grew up in New York City and has been a lifelong, passionate lover of ballet and opera since childhood. She feels honored that she grew up seeing performances by all of the great superstars with the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater and the Metropolitan Opera. Moving to Arizona, she likewise developed a passion for Ballet Arizona and is thrilled to be affiliated with such a fantastic organization that receives increasing national recognition. She hopes to bring the perspective and knowledge to the board that comes with the vast experience of ballet appreciation.
In her professional career, Mary Ann has worked for some of the largest global cosmetics companies developing sales leaders around the world. She has consulted and led programs to enhance executives’ skills as leaders and communicators in both New York and Arizona. She currently serves on the board of the Cancer Support Community of Arizona. Previously, she was a docent for the Heard Museum and is involved in numerous local charities including Phoenix Children’s Hospital, The Salvation Army, and St. Mary’s Foodbank Alliance.
Kara Montalvo
Salt River Project
Kara Montalvo is Salt River Project’s Director of Environmental Services. In this position, Kara leads a talented and knowledgeable team of environmental professionals who develop and implement environmental policies, programs, strategies, and systems for regulated SRP power and water facilities. Kara also represents SRP’s interests in environmental rulemaking and policy actions at the local, state, and federal levels.
Kara was raised in central Ohio and holds a B.S. degree in Natural Resources from The Ohio State University. After several early career positions with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kara returned to school to obtain an M.S. degree in Technical Communications from Colorado State University. She has since focused on a career supporting the electric utility industry. She has wide-ranging experience in the development and permitting of generation and transmission projects from positions with the professional consulting firms CH2M Hill and Burns & McDonnell and arrived at SRP after her work as Manager of Environmental, Safety and Health for Arizona’s Generation & Transmission Cooperatives. Kara has held leadership positions in a number of professional organizations, including Western Energy Supply & Transmission Associates, the National Association of Environmental Professionals, and the Electric Power Research Institute.
Kara and her husband Dave support many non-profit organizations within the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. She is currently Vice President of the Board of Directors for Liberty Wildlife, a Phoenix-area non-profit wildlife rehabilitation and education organization, and recently completed seven years as a Board member for The Phoenix Theatre Company, the largest producing regional theatre company in central Arizona.
Kara has a passion for travel and is working on improving her photography skills. She and Dave share four granddaughters who keep them very busy! Kara looks forward to introducing them to Ballet Arizona.
Kara Montalvo
Salt River Project
Kara Montalvo is Salt River Project’s Director of Environmental Services. In this position, Kara leads a talented and knowledgeable team of environmental professionals who develop and implement environmental policies, programs, strategies, and systems for regulated SRP power and water facilities. Kara also represents SRP’s interests in environmental rulemaking and policy actions at the local, state, and federal levels.
Kara was raised in central Ohio and holds a B.S. degree in Natural Resources from The Ohio State University. After several early career positions with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kara returned to school to obtain an M.S. degree in Technical Communications from Colorado State University. She has since focused on a career supporting the electric utility industry. She has wide-ranging experience in the development and permitting of generation and transmission projects from positions with the professional consulting firms CH2M Hill and Burns & McDonnell and arrived at SRP after her work as Manager of Environmental, Safety and Health for Arizona’s Generation & Transmission Cooperatives. Kara has held leadership positions in a number of professional organizations, including Western Energy Supply & Transmission Associates, the National Association of Environmental Professionals, and the Electric Power Research Institute.
Kara and her husband Dave support many non-profit organizations within the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. She is currently Vice President of the Board of Directors for Liberty Wildlife, a Phoenix-area non-profit wildlife rehabilitation and education organization, and recently completed seven years as a Board member for The Phoenix Theatre Company, the largest producing regional theatre company in central Arizona.
Kara has a passion for travel and is working on improving her photography skills. She and Dave share four granddaughters who keep them very busy! Kara looks forward to introducing them to Ballet Arizona.
Kara Montalvo
Salt River Project
Kara Montalvo is Salt River Project’s Director of Environmental Services. In this position, Kara leads a talented and knowledgeable team of environmental professionals who develop and implement environmental policies, programs, strategies, and systems for regulated SRP power and water facilities. Kara also represents SRP’s interests in environmental rulemaking and policy actions at the local, state, and federal levels.
Kara was raised in central Ohio and holds a B.S. degree in Natural Resources from The Ohio State University. After several early career positions with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kara returned to school to obtain an M.S. degree in Technical Communications from Colorado State University. She has since focused on a career supporting the electric utility industry. She has wide-ranging experience in the development and permitting of generation and transmission projects from positions with the professional consulting firms CH2M Hill and Burns & McDonnell and arrived at SRP after her work as Manager of Environmental, Safety and Health for Arizona’s Generation & Transmission Cooperatives. Kara has held leadership positions in a number of professional organizations, including Western Energy Supply & Transmission Associates, the National Association of Environmental Professionals, and the Electric Power Research Institute.
Kara and her husband Dave support many non-profit organizations within the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. She is currently Vice President of the Board of Directors for Liberty Wildlife, a Phoenix-area non-profit wildlife rehabilitation and education organization, and recently completed seven years as a Board member for The Phoenix Theatre Company, the largest producing regional theatre company in central Arizona.
Kara has a passion for travel and is working on improving her photography skills. She and Dave share four granddaughters who keep them very busy! Kara looks forward to introducing them to Ballet Arizona.
Veronica Moore
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Veronica Moore inspires others to do the right thing, digs through the red tape, and holds people accountable. She is currently the Staff Vice President of Corporate & Medicare Compliance and ESG at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ). Originally starting out as a nursing major and seeing no end to her squeamishness, she quickly changed schools and majors to study Health Administration at the University of Phoenix and then an MBA from Midwestern International University. Her professional interests focus on developing and maintaining effective compliance programs and making it easy for others to do the right thing. Collaborating with others to find creative solutions to meet business needs while complying with company and regulatory requirements is how she fills the time when she is not playing her cello.
Veronica Moore
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Veronica Moore inspires others to do the right thing, digs through the red tape, and holds people accountable. She is currently the Staff Vice President of Corporate & Medicare Compliance and ESG at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ). Originally starting out as a nursing major and seeing no end to her squeamishness, she quickly changed schools and majors to study Health Administration at the University of Phoenix and then an MBA from Midwestern International University. Her professional interests focus on developing and maintaining effective compliance programs and making it easy for others to do the right thing. Collaborating with others to find creative solutions to meet business needs while complying with company and regulatory requirements is how she fills the time when she is not playing her cello.
Veronica Moore
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Veronica Moore inspires others to do the right thing, digs through the red tape, and holds people accountable. She is currently the Staff Vice President of Corporate & Medicare Compliance and ESG at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ). Originally starting out as a nursing major and seeing no end to her squeamishness, she quickly changed schools and majors to study Health Administration at the University of Phoenix and then an MBA from Midwestern International University. Her professional interests focus on developing and maintaining effective compliance programs and making it easy for others to do the right thing. Collaborating with others to find creative solutions to meet business needs while complying with company and regulatory requirements is how she fills the time when she is not playing her cello.
Christel Mosby
Grand Canyon Education
With 3 decades of marketing experience, Christel Mosby leads all communication efforts as Chief Marketing Officer at Grand Canyon Education (GCE). GCE is a $3.6 billion education services company focused on promoting student success and growth at higher education institutions nationwide. GCE currently serves dozens of partner colleges and universities with Grand Canyon University (GCU) being the largest. Under Ms. Mosby’s impressive 18 + years of leadership at GCE, she’s overseen enrollment growth at GCU from 1,000 students to over 113,000 nationwide.
Her team includes over 200 subject matter experts in areas like traditional and digital media, affiliate marketing, paid search, social media, email, data science, consumer research and creative services. She is also proud to head a division that gives GCU students the chance to gain professional agency experience while offering the same innovative and professional marketing services to PK-12 schools at a reduced rate.
Ms. Mosby is a long-time resident of Arizona. She earned her MBA from the University of Phoenix and her B.S. in Marketing from Northern Arizona University. In addition to serving on the Foundation Board of the Scottsdale Charros, she is also on the Phoenix Diocese Night of Hope Committee and leader in the Camelback Chapter of the National Charity League. The arts are close to Ms. Mosby’s heart, and she is honored to support Ballet Arizona as a newly appointed board member in 2023.
Christel Mosby
Grand Canyon Education
With 3 decades of marketing experience, Christel Mosby leads all communication efforts as Chief Marketing Officer at Grand Canyon Education (GCE). GCE is a $3.6 billion education services company focused on promoting student success and growth at higher education institutions nationwide. GCE currently serves dozens of partner colleges and universities with Grand Canyon University (GCU) being the largest. Under Ms. Mosby’s impressive 18 + years of leadership at GCE, she’s overseen enrollment growth at GCU from 1,000 students to over 113,000 nationwide.
Her team includes over 200 subject matter experts in areas like traditional and digital media, affiliate marketing, paid search, social media, email, data science, consumer research and creative services. She is also proud to head a division that gives GCU students the chance to gain professional agency experience while offering the same innovative and professional marketing services to PK-12 schools at a reduced rate.
Ms. Mosby is a long-time resident of Arizona. She earned her MBA from the University of Phoenix and her B.S. in Marketing from Northern Arizona University. In addition to serving on the Foundation Board of the Scottsdale Charros, she is also on the Phoenix Diocese Night of Hope Committee and leader in the Camelback Chapter of the National Charity League. The arts are close to Ms. Mosby’s heart, and she is honored to support Ballet Arizona as a newly appointed board member in 2023.
Christel Mosby
Grand Canyon Education
With 3 decades of marketing experience, Christel Mosby leads all communication efforts as Chief Marketing Officer at Grand Canyon Education (GCE). GCE is a $3.6 billion education services company focused on promoting student success and growth at higher education institutions nationwide. GCE currently serves dozens of partner colleges and universities with Grand Canyon University (GCU) being the largest. Under Ms. Mosby’s impressive 18 + years of leadership at GCE, she’s overseen enrollment growth at GCU from 1,000 students to over 113,000 nationwide.
Her team includes over 200 subject matter experts in areas like traditional and digital media, affiliate marketing, paid search, social media, email, data science, consumer research and creative services. She is also proud to head a division that gives GCU students the chance to gain professional agency experience while offering the same innovative and professional marketing services to PK-12 schools at a reduced rate.
Ms. Mosby is a long-time resident of Arizona. She earned her MBA from the University of Phoenix and her B.S. in Marketing from Northern Arizona University. In addition to serving on the Foundation Board of the Scottsdale Charros, she is also on the Phoenix Diocese Night of Hope Committee and leader in the Camelback Chapter of the National Charity League. The arts are close to Ms. Mosby’s heart, and she is honored to support Ballet Arizona as a newly appointed board member in 2023.
Tracy Olson
Snell & Wilmer, LLP
Tracy Olson is an associate attorney at the law firm of Snell & Wilmer, LLP. She is a part of the firm’s special litigation and compliance group where she focuses her practice on representing businesses and individuals in constitutional, government relations and regulatory matters. Her state and federal constitutional and governmental relations practice includes election law, political law and commercial litigation. In her regulatory practice, Tracy regularly represents and consults with healthcare clients regarding complex compliance questions, licensing complaints and government investigations.
Tracy received her Juris Doctor from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, magna cum laude and her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Southern Methodist University. As an Arizona native and former dancer, Tracy is honored to serve on Ballet Arizona’s Board of Directors.
Tracy Olson
Snell & Wilmer, LLP
Tracy Olson is an associate attorney at the law firm of Snell & Wilmer, LLP. She is a part of the firm’s special litigation and compliance group where she focuses her practice on representing businesses and individuals in constitutional, government relations and regulatory matters. Her state and federal constitutional and governmental relations practice includes election law, political law and commercial litigation. In her regulatory practice, Tracy regularly represents and consults with healthcare clients regarding complex compliance questions, licensing complaints and government investigations.
Tracy received her Juris Doctor from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, magna cum laude and her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Southern Methodist University. As an Arizona native and former dancer, Tracy is honored to serve on Ballet Arizona’s Board of Directors.
Tracy Olson
Snell & Wilmer, LLP
Tracy Olson is an associate attorney at the law firm of Snell & Wilmer, LLP. She is a part of the firm’s special litigation and compliance group where she focuses her practice on representing businesses and individuals in constitutional, government relations and regulatory matters. Her state and federal constitutional and governmental relations practice includes election law, political law and commercial litigation. In her regulatory practice, Tracy regularly represents and consults with healthcare clients regarding complex compliance questions, licensing complaints and government investigations.
Tracy received her Juris Doctor from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, magna cum laude and her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Southern Methodist University. As an Arizona native and former dancer, Tracy is honored to serve on Ballet Arizona’s Board of Directors.
Kim Paltzik
Community Volunteer
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Bio Coming Soon!
Kim Paltzik
Community Volunteer
From: Phoenix, Arizona
Bio Coming Soon!
Merle Rosskam
Community Volunteer
Merle was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and raised in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She graduated from the University of Illinois, Medical Center, Chicago. Her undergraduate years were spent at Richmond Professional Institute, now Virginia Commonwealth University. Her Bachelor of Science degree is in Occupational Therapy and she was registered and licensed to practice upon completion of her clinical course of study. Additional coursework followed. She met her husband, Steve and moved to Chicago after her transfer. She was the department head of several rehab and therapeutic programs in both physical medicine and psychological settings.
After the birth of her daughter, Merle settled into Motherhood with years of power volunteering in the communities in which she lived. She was board president, women’s auxiliary president, citizen of the year, representative to her county’s drug program and numerous other positions of mentorship and leadership. Her husband’s family’s connections to Scottsdale years before drew Merle and Steve to Arizona and they began an involvement with the arts that continues to this day. Merle is also a board member of Arizona 5 Arts Circle, she serves as a Scottsdale Center for the Arts Board of Director and serves on the Heard Museum’s annual gala committee. She and Steve have made a commitment to support Ballet Arizona, as well as the Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona Opera, the Phoenix Symphony, the Heard Museum, and the Desert Botanic Garden. She is mother to an artist, mother-in-law to a design engineer, and grandmother to a most creative and happy grandson!
Merle Rosskam
Community Volunteer
Merle was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and raised in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She graduated from the University of Illinois, Medical Center, Chicago. Her undergraduate years were spent at Richmond Professional Institute, now Virginia Commonwealth University. Her Bachelor of Science degree is in Occupational Therapy and she was registered and licensed to practice upon completion of her clinical course of study. Additional coursework followed. She met her husband, Steve and moved to Chicago after her transfer. She was the department head of several rehab and therapeutic programs in both physical medicine and psychological settings.
After the birth of her daughter, Merle settled into Motherhood with years of power volunteering in the communities in which she lived. She was board president, women’s auxiliary president, citizen of the year, representative to her county’s drug program and numerous other positions of mentorship and leadership. Her husband’s family’s connections to Scottsdale years before drew Merle and Steve to Arizona and they began an involvement with the arts that continues to this day. Merle is also a board member of Arizona 5 Arts Circle, she serves as a Scottsdale Center for the Arts Board of Director and serves on the Heard Museum’s annual gala committee. She and Steve have made a commitment to support Ballet Arizona, as well as the Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona Opera, the Phoenix Symphony, the Heard Museum, and the Desert Botanic Garden. She is mother to an artist, mother-in-law to a design engineer, and grandmother to a most creative and happy grandson!
Merle Rosskam
Community Volunteer
Merle was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and raised in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She graduated from the University of Illinois, Medical Center, Chicago. Her undergraduate years were spent at Richmond Professional Institute, now Virginia Commonwealth University. Her Bachelor of Science degree is in Occupational Therapy and she was registered and licensed to practice upon completion of her clinical course of study. Additional coursework followed. She met her husband, Steve and moved to Chicago after her transfer. She was the department head of several rehab and therapeutic programs in both physical medicine and psychological settings.
After the birth of her daughter, Merle settled into Motherhood with years of power volunteering in the communities in which she lived. She was board president, women’s auxiliary president, citizen of the year, representative to her county’s drug program and numerous other positions of mentorship and leadership. Her husband’s family’s connections to Scottsdale years before drew Merle and Steve to Arizona and they began an involvement with the arts that continues to this day. Merle is also a board member of Arizona 5 Arts Circle, she serves as a Scottsdale Center for the Arts Board of Director and serves on the Heard Museum’s annual gala committee. She and Steve have made a commitment to support Ballet Arizona, as well as the Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona Opera, the Phoenix Symphony, the Heard Museum, and the Desert Botanic Garden. She is mother to an artist, mother-in-law to a design engineer, and grandmother to a most creative and happy grandson!
Mack Schwing
Community Volunteer
Bio to come!
Mack Schwing
Community Volunteer
Bio to come!
Jennifer Holsman Tetreault
TPI Composites
Jenny currently serves as the VP and Associate General Counsel of Litigation and Compliance for TPI Composites, a global wind-blade manufacturer with locations throughout the United States, Europe, China, India, and Mexico. She is responsible for the company’s global anti-corruption program, ethics hotline, internal investigations, HR and employment matters, commercial and contract negotiation, and domestic/international regulatory compliance.
Jenny holds a Juris Doctorate and Master’s in Political Science from Syracuse University and a B.S. in Political Science from Arizona State University.
Beyond proudly serving on the Ballet Arizona Board of Directors, Mrs. Holsman Tetreault currently serves as the past Board Chair for Valley of the Sun United Way and on the Women United Global Leadership Council. She also serves on the Board of Directors for numerous community organizations, including Community Legal Services, Waste Not, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Girl Scouts, the O’Connor Institute, Herberger Theater, and the Phoenix Library Foundation.
In recognition of her work in the community, Jenny was named one of the “Most Influential Women in Business” for 2020 by AZ Business Magazine, and she was honored as the “Sustainer of the Year” from the Junior League of Phoenix in 2019. Additionally, she was a “Spirit of Philanthropy” recipient by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2018 and recognized as one of the “Top 10 (National) Attorneys under 40” by the Association of Corporate Counsel in 2017. Jenny graduated from Valley Leadership in 2010 and was a Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy Fellow in 2011.
Most importantly, she is surrounded by an incredible team, including her husband Colin Tetreault, her 7-year-old son (Connor), and her five-year-old daughter (Madeline) (a student at the School of Ballet Arizona). They love Ballet Arizona, the ASU Sun Devils and Syracuse Orangeman, incredible food, traveling, outdoor activities, and exploring the world seeking their next adventure.
Jennifer Holsman Tetreault
TPI Composites
Jenny currently serves as the VP and Associate General Counsel of Litigation and Compliance for TPI Composites, a global wind-blade manufacturer with locations throughout the United States, Europe, China, India, and Mexico. She is responsible for the company’s global anti-corruption program, ethics hotline, internal investigations, HR and employment matters, commercial and contract negotiation, and domestic/international regulatory compliance.
Jenny holds a Juris Doctorate and Master’s in Political Science from Syracuse University and a B.S. in Political Science from Arizona State University.
Beyond proudly serving on the Ballet Arizona Board of Directors, Mrs. Holsman Tetreault currently serves as the past Board Chair for Valley of the Sun United Way and on the Women United Global Leadership Council. She also serves on the Board of Directors for numerous community organizations, including Community Legal Services, Waste Not, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Girl Scouts, the O’Connor Institute, Herberger Theater, and the Phoenix Library Foundation.
In recognition of her work in the community, Jenny was named one of the “Most Influential Women in Business” for 2020 by AZ Business Magazine, and she was honored as the “Sustainer of the Year” from the Junior League of Phoenix in 2019. Additionally, she was a “Spirit of Philanthropy” recipient by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2018 and recognized as one of the “Top 10 (National) Attorneys under 40” by the Association of Corporate Counsel in 2017. Jenny graduated from Valley Leadership in 2010 and was a Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy Fellow in 2011.
Most importantly, she is surrounded by an incredible team, including her husband Colin Tetreault, her 7-year-old son (Connor), and her five-year-old daughter (Madeline) (a student at the School of Ballet Arizona). They love Ballet Arizona, the ASU Sun Devils and Syracuse Orangeman, incredible food, traveling, outdoor activities, and exploring the world seeking their next adventure.
Jennifer Holsman Tetreault
TPI Composites
Jenny currently serves as the VP and Associate General Counsel of Litigation and Compliance for TPI Composites, a global wind-blade manufacturer with locations throughout the United States, Europe, China, India, and Mexico. She is responsible for the company’s global anti-corruption program, ethics hotline, internal investigations, HR and employment matters, commercial and contract negotiation, and domestic/international regulatory compliance.
Jenny holds a Juris Doctorate and Master’s in Political Science from Syracuse University and a B.S. in Political Science from Arizona State University.
Beyond proudly serving on the Ballet Arizona Board of Directors, Mrs. Holsman Tetreault currently serves as the past Board Chair for Valley of the Sun United Way and on the Women United Global Leadership Council. She also serves on the Board of Directors for numerous community organizations, including Community Legal Services, Waste Not, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Girl Scouts, the O’Connor Institute, Herberger Theater, and the Phoenix Library Foundation.
In recognition of her work in the community, Jenny was named one of the “Most Influential Women in Business” for 2020 by AZ Business Magazine, and she was honored as the “Sustainer of the Year” from the Junior League of Phoenix in 2019. Additionally, she was a “Spirit of Philanthropy” recipient by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2018 and recognized as one of the “Top 10 (National) Attorneys under 40” by the Association of Corporate Counsel in 2017. Jenny graduated from Valley Leadership in 2010 and was a Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Academy Fellow in 2011.
Most importantly, she is surrounded by an incredible team, including her husband Colin Tetreault, her 7-year-old son (Connor), and her five-year-old daughter (Madeline) (a student at the School of Ballet Arizona). They love Ballet Arizona, the ASU Sun Devils and Syracuse Orangeman, incredible food, traveling, outdoor activities, and exploring the world seeking their next adventure.
G. Van Velsor Wolf Jr.
Community Volunteer
Van practiced exclusively in environmental and natural resources law for the last 36 years in Phoenix at the federal, state, and local levels. His work focused on environmental due diligence in transactions, environmental liabilities and permits, analysis of lender and borrower liabilities, drafting of relevant provisions, environmental regulatory compliance and permitting, litigation involving environmental permits, and defense against environmental claims.
Van attended Yale University receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1966 and, following four years in the Peace Corps in East Africa, received a Juris Doctor degree at Vanderbilt University Law School. While at Vanderbilt, he served as Research Editor for the Vanderbilt Law Review.
Van is an Adjunct Professor of Environmental Law at Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law at ASU and serves on the Dean’s Board of Advisors for Vanderbilt Law School. He was the National Chairman of the Board for the American Cancer Society and served on the Board of the Herberger Theater Center and the Board of the Phoenix Theater.
Van joined the Ballet Arizona Board of Directors in 2017, termed off for one year, and has now returned for another term.
G. Van Velsor Wolf Jr.
Community Volunteer
Van practiced exclusively in environmental and natural resources law for the last 36 years in Phoenix at the federal, state, and local levels. His work focused on environmental due diligence in transactions, environmental liabilities and permits, analysis of lender and borrower liabilities, drafting of relevant provisions, environmental regulatory compliance and permitting, litigation involving environmental permits, and defense against environmental claims.
Van attended Yale University receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1966 and, following four years in the Peace Corps in East Africa, received a Juris Doctor degree at Vanderbilt University Law School. While at Vanderbilt, he served as Research Editor for the Vanderbilt Law Review.
Van is an Adjunct Professor of Environmental Law at Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law at ASU and serves on the Dean’s Board of Advisors for Vanderbilt Law School. He was the National Chairman of the Board for the American Cancer Society and served on the Board of the Herberger Theater Center and the Board of the Phoenix Theater.
Van joined the Ballet Arizona Board of Directors in 2017, termed off for one year, and has now returned for another term.
G. Van Velsor Wolf Jr.
Community Volunteer
Van practiced exclusively in environmental and natural resources law for the last 36 years in Phoenix at the federal, state, and local levels. His work focused on environmental due diligence in transactions, environmental liabilities and permits, analysis of lender and borrower liabilities, drafting of relevant provisions, environmental regulatory compliance and permitting, litigation involving environmental permits, and defense against environmental claims.
Van attended Yale University receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1966 and, following four years in the Peace Corps in East Africa, received a Juris Doctor degree at Vanderbilt University Law School. While at Vanderbilt, he served as Research Editor for the Vanderbilt Law Review.
Van is an Adjunct Professor of Environmental Law at Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law at ASU and serves on the Dean’s Board of Advisors for Vanderbilt Law School. He was the National Chairman of the Board for the American Cancer Society and served on the Board of the Herberger Theater Center and the Board of the Phoenix Theater.
Van joined the Ballet Arizona Board of Directors in 2017, termed off for one year, and has now returned for another term.
Bradley Wyatt
Dickinson Wright
Brad Wyatt is a member of Dickinson Wright's Corporate practice group. Mr. Wyatt regularly advises companies in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate governance matters and general contracting. Mr. Wyatt also has extensive experience representing both public and private companies in corporate finance and securities matters and has helped numerous clients secure additional capital through public and private debt and equity financings.
Education & Credentials
Education
Brigham Young University
B.A., 2000- Dean's List College of Social Sciences
- cum laude
William and Mary School of Law
J.D., 2004- Order of the Coif
Bar Admission
- Arizona
- Michigan
- Texas
Spoken Languages
- Spanish
Bradley Wyatt
Dickinson Wright
Brad Wyatt is a member of Dickinson Wright's Corporate practice group. Mr. Wyatt regularly advises companies in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate governance matters and general contracting. Mr. Wyatt also has extensive experience representing both public and private companies in corporate finance and securities matters and has helped numerous clients secure additional capital through public and private debt and equity financings.
Education & Credentials
Education
Brigham Young University
B.A., 2000- Dean's List College of Social Sciences
- cum laude
William and Mary School of Law
J.D., 2004- Order of the Coif
Bar Admission
- Arizona
- Michigan
- Texas
Spoken Languages
- Spanish
Bradley Wyatt
Dickinson Wright
Brad Wyatt is a member of Dickinson Wright's Corporate practice group. Mr. Wyatt regularly advises companies in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate governance matters and general contracting. Mr. Wyatt also has extensive experience representing both public and private companies in corporate finance and securities matters and has helped numerous clients secure additional capital through public and private debt and equity financings.
Education & Credentials
Education
Brigham Young University
B.A., 2000- Dean's List College of Social Sciences
- cum laude
William and Mary School of Law
J.D., 2004- Order of the Coif
Bar Admission
- Arizona
- Michigan
- Texas
Spoken Languages
- Spanish
Board Emeriti
Joan Berry
Board Member Emerita
Joan grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. She attended Northwestern University where she met her husband, Charlie. They have been married 47 years; have two sons, Kevin and Ryan (Donna) and four grandchildren who all live in Scottsdale.
Joan started her teaching career in Skokie, Illinois while Charlie attended law school at Northwestern. They moved to Phoenix in 1973. Since then she has taught or volunteered in school programs from primary grades through high school. Additionally, she taught English as a Second Language to adults at Friendly House for 13 years.
She served on the performing arts board of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and was a founder and director of Phoenix Ballet Company. When PBC merged with two other companies to form BAZ, she served on that initial board. Charlie and Joan have continually supported BAZ since its inception and she returned to the board in 2014.
Joan took ballet for many years, studied with Kelly Brown in Arizona, and attended adult classes at the School of Ballet Arizona at the previous studio. Taking dance classes, belonging to a few clubs, gardening, enriching her family’s lives through the arts, and traveling with them all when time permits fills her calendar.
Joan Berry
Board Member Emerita
Joan grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. She attended Northwestern University where she met her husband, Charlie. They have been married 47 years; have two sons, Kevin and Ryan (Donna) and four grandchildren who all live in Scottsdale.
Joan started her teaching career in Skokie, Illinois while Charlie attended law school at Northwestern. They moved to Phoenix in 1973. Since then she has taught or volunteered in school programs from primary grades through high school. Additionally, she taught English as a Second Language to adults at Friendly House for 13 years.
She served on the performing arts board of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and was a founder and director of Phoenix Ballet Company. When PBC merged with two other companies to form BAZ, she served on that initial board. Charlie and Joan have continually supported BAZ since its inception and she returned to the board in 2014.
Joan took ballet for many years, studied with Kelly Brown in Arizona, and attended adult classes at the School of Ballet Arizona at the previous studio. Taking dance classes, belonging to a few clubs, gardening, enriching her family’s lives through the arts, and traveling with them all when time permits fills her calendar.
Joan Berry
Board Member Emerita
Joan grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. She attended Northwestern University where she met her husband, Charlie. They have been married 47 years; have two sons, Kevin and Ryan (Donna) and four grandchildren who all live in Scottsdale.
Joan started her teaching career in Skokie, Illinois while Charlie attended law school at Northwestern. They moved to Phoenix in 1973. Since then she has taught or volunteered in school programs from primary grades through high school. Additionally, she taught English as a Second Language to adults at Friendly House for 13 years.
She served on the performing arts board of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts and was a founder and director of Phoenix Ballet Company. When PBC merged with two other companies to form BAZ, she served on that initial board. Charlie and Joan have continually supported BAZ since its inception and she returned to the board in 2014.
Joan took ballet for many years, studied with Kelly Brown in Arizona, and attended adult classes at the School of Ballet Arizona at the previous studio. Taking dance classes, belonging to a few clubs, gardening, enriching her family’s lives through the arts, and traveling with them all when time permits fills her calendar.
Jacquie Dorrance
Board Member Emerita
Jacquie Dorrance, a devoted mother and grandmother, born in Caracas, Venezuela, has for years dedicated her public life to bettering the lives of others. She does this as a leader in the philanthropic community and by guiding philanthropic investment in projects that will serve future generations. The breadth with which she and her husband Bennett Dorrance, and their family, have dedicated their charitable activities is indeed extraordinary, spanning natural resource conservation, education, arts and culture, science, and medical research.
Jacquie served on the Ballet board for the past 6 years during a time of tremendous growth and change for the organization. She led the charge as cabinet co-chair for the Next Step capital campaign successfully raising $13 million for the new Ballet Arizona Center for Dance. She moved the organization into its future.
Jacquie is very active with The Dorrance Family Foundation as founder and board member and is directly involved with Arizona State University as Honorary Chair of the President’s Club, Barrow Women’s Board, Steele Memorial Children’s Research Center (PANDA), TGen’s Center for Rare Childhood Diseases (C4RCD), The Nature Conservancy, and several arts and culture organizations including the Phoenix Art Museum and Desert Botanical Garden.
Jacquie Dorrance
Board Member Emerita
Jacquie Dorrance, a devoted mother and grandmother, born in Caracas, Venezuela, has for years dedicated her public life to bettering the lives of others. She does this as a leader in the philanthropic community and by guiding philanthropic investment in projects that will serve future generations. The breadth with which she and her husband Bennett Dorrance, and their family, have dedicated their charitable activities is indeed extraordinary, spanning natural resource conservation, education, arts and culture, science, and medical research.
Jacquie served on the Ballet board for the past 6 years during a time of tremendous growth and change for the organization. She led the charge as cabinet co-chair for the Next Step capital campaign successfully raising $13 million for the new Ballet Arizona Center for Dance. She moved the organization into its future.
Jacquie is very active with The Dorrance Family Foundation as founder and board member and is directly involved with Arizona State University as Honorary Chair of the President’s Club, Barrow Women’s Board, Steele Memorial Children’s Research Center (PANDA), TGen’s Center for Rare Childhood Diseases (C4RCD), The Nature Conservancy, and several arts and culture organizations including the Phoenix Art Museum and Desert Botanical Garden.
Jacquie Dorrance
Board Member Emerita
Jacquie Dorrance, a devoted mother and grandmother, born in Caracas, Venezuela, has for years dedicated her public life to bettering the lives of others. She does this as a leader in the philanthropic community and by guiding philanthropic investment in projects that will serve future generations. The breadth with which she and her husband Bennett Dorrance, and their family, have dedicated their charitable activities is indeed extraordinary, spanning natural resource conservation, education, arts and culture, science, and medical research.
Jacquie served on the Ballet board for the past 6 years during a time of tremendous growth and change for the organization. She led the charge as cabinet co-chair for the Next Step capital campaign successfully raising $13 million for the new Ballet Arizona Center for Dance. She moved the organization into its future.
Jacquie is very active with The Dorrance Family Foundation as founder and board member and is directly involved with Arizona State University as Honorary Chair of the President’s Club, Barrow Women’s Board, Steele Memorial Children’s Research Center (PANDA), TGen’s Center for Rare Childhood Diseases (C4RCD), The Nature Conservancy, and several arts and culture organizations including the Phoenix Art Museum and Desert Botanical Garden.
Jerry Harden*
Board Member Emeritus
Jerry and his wife Linda, have been longtime supporters of Ballet Arizona, not just financially but through service as well. Jerry joined the board in 2001, serving in several leadership roles including Chair of the Development and Governance Committees, as well as Vice Chair. He retired from the board in 2008 and was named an emeritus member in recognition of his exemplary service to Ballet Arizona.
Ballet Arizona would truly not be the company it is today without Jerry’s leadership and support. We thank and remember Jerry with love and admiration.
“Jerry was an engineer, not a dancer, but when he heard that Phoenix was about to lose its professional ballet company he could not let that happen. He and Linda drove down to the
company offices with a large check. It saved the company. He gave the same amount the next year after year after year and was dedicated to Ballet Arizona for decades until the end of his life. Jerry was a true hero in the history of Ballet Arizona. You and I would not be seeing these dancers today, if not for Jerry Harden.”
– Carol Schilling, Board Chair Emerita
“In the annals of Ballet Arizona supporters who made a real difference to the life of the organization, Jerry and Linda Harden deserve a chapter all their own. Jerry and Linda are among those rare individuals who run towards, instead of away from, a crisis. At the time Jerry joined the Ballet board over 20 years ago, the Ballet was in perilous financial circumstances. But that Board, with Jerry as one of its leaders, simply refused – through sheer force of will – to let the company fail. They made the decisions that brought in Ib Andersen, that made a commitment to first-quality productions above all else, that created the environment for a successful Ballet School, and that has made Ballet Arizona one of the true and enduring cultural gems of our vibrant Phoenix community.”
– David Thompson, Former Board Chair
“During the Ballet’s 2000 financial crisis, a mysterious man called, who wouldn’t give his name, and said he would donate the $60,000, needed for phase 1 of our fundraising goal. I eventually learned the mysterious angel’s name was Jerry Harden. Jerry had never been to a ballet but he believed that ‘Arizona deserved a professional ballet company.’”
– Gwen Hillis, Board Chair Emerita
Jerry Harden*
Board Member Emeritus
Jerry and his wife Linda, have been longtime supporters of Ballet Arizona, not just financially but through service as well. Jerry joined the board in 2001, serving in several leadership roles including Chair of the Development and Governance Committees, as well as Vice Chair. He retired from the board in 2008 and was named an emeritus member in recognition of his exemplary service to Ballet Arizona.
Ballet Arizona would truly not be the company it is today without Jerry’s leadership and support. We thank and remember Jerry with love and admiration.
“Jerry was an engineer, not a dancer, but when he heard that Phoenix was about to lose its professional ballet company he could not let that happen. He and Linda drove down to the
company offices with a large check. It saved the company. He gave the same amount the next year after year after year and was dedicated to Ballet Arizona for decades until the end of his life. Jerry was a true hero in the history of Ballet Arizona. You and I would not be seeing these dancers today, if not for Jerry Harden.”
– Carol Schilling, Board Chair Emerita
“In the annals of Ballet Arizona supporters who made a real difference to the life of the organization, Jerry and Linda Harden deserve a chapter all their own. Jerry and Linda are among those rare individuals who run towards, instead of away from, a crisis. At the time Jerry joined the Ballet board over 20 years ago, the Ballet was in perilous financial circumstances. But that Board, with Jerry as one of its leaders, simply refused – through sheer force of will – to let the company fail. They made the decisions that brought in Ib Andersen, that made a commitment to first-quality productions above all else, that created the environment for a successful Ballet School, and that has made Ballet Arizona one of the true and enduring cultural gems of our vibrant Phoenix community.”
– David Thompson, Former Board Chair
“During the Ballet’s 2000 financial crisis, a mysterious man called, who wouldn’t give his name, and said he would donate the $60,000, needed for phase 1 of our fundraising goal. I eventually learned the mysterious angel’s name was Jerry Harden. Jerry had never been to a ballet but he believed that ‘Arizona deserved a professional ballet company.’”
– Gwen Hillis, Board Chair Emerita
Jerry Harden*
Board Member Emeritus
Jerry and his wife Linda, have been longtime supporters of Ballet Arizona, not just financially but through service as well. Jerry joined the board in 2001, serving in several leadership roles including Chair of the Development and Governance Committees, as well as Vice Chair. He retired from the board in 2008 and was named an emeritus member in recognition of his exemplary service to Ballet Arizona.
Ballet Arizona would truly not be the company it is today without Jerry’s leadership and support. We thank and remember Jerry with love and admiration.
“Jerry was an engineer, not a dancer, but when he heard that Phoenix was about to lose its professional ballet company he could not let that happen. He and Linda drove down to the
company offices with a large check. It saved the company. He gave the same amount the next year after year after year and was dedicated to Ballet Arizona for decades until the end of his life. Jerry was a true hero in the history of Ballet Arizona. You and I would not be seeing these dancers today, if not for Jerry Harden.”
– Carol Schilling, Board Chair Emerita
“In the annals of Ballet Arizona supporters who made a real difference to the life of the organization, Jerry and Linda Harden deserve a chapter all their own. Jerry and Linda are among those rare individuals who run towards, instead of away from, a crisis. At the time Jerry joined the Ballet board over 20 years ago, the Ballet was in perilous financial circumstances. But that Board, with Jerry as one of its leaders, simply refused – through sheer force of will – to let the company fail. They made the decisions that brought in Ib Andersen, that made a commitment to first-quality productions above all else, that created the environment for a successful Ballet School, and that has made Ballet Arizona one of the true and enduring cultural gems of our vibrant Phoenix community.”
– David Thompson, Former Board Chair
“During the Ballet’s 2000 financial crisis, a mysterious man called, who wouldn’t give his name, and said he would donate the $60,000, needed for phase 1 of our fundraising goal. I eventually learned the mysterious angel’s name was Jerry Harden. Jerry had never been to a ballet but he believed that ‘Arizona deserved a professional ballet company.’”
– Gwen Hillis, Board Chair Emerita
Gwen Hillis
Chairman Emerita
Bio Coming Soon!
Gwen Hillis
Chairman Emerita
Bio Coming Soon!
Barbara Ottosen
Board Member Emerita
Bio Coming Soon!
Barbara Ottosen
Board Member Emerita
Bio Coming Soon!
Carol Schilling
Board Chairman Emerita
Carol was born and raised near Bloomington, Indiana, and graduated from Indiana University cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature. After moving to Tucson, Arizona, she studied anthropology at the University of Arizona before moving to Phoenix as a staff writer and editor for The Phoenix Gazette.
Mrs. Schilling now makes her home in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she is active in community volunteer work, most especially Ballet Arizona. Mrs. Schilling was one of the three founding trustees of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust when the Trust began operations in 1998. Her interests include a love for travel, the Southwest, animals, hiking, music, gardening, writing, and reading.
Upon the completion of her term in 2015 she was honored as Chairman Emerita in recognition of her outstanding service to Ballet Arizona which included co-chairing the $13 million The Next Step campaign with Jacquie Dorrance to develop Ballet Arizona’s new studios.
Mrs. Schilling joined the Ballet Arizona Board of Directors in 2009.
Carol Schilling
Board Chairman Emerita
Carol was born and raised near Bloomington, Indiana, and graduated from Indiana University cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature. After moving to Tucson, Arizona, she studied anthropology at the University of Arizona before moving to Phoenix as a staff writer and editor for The Phoenix Gazette.
Mrs. Schilling now makes her home in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she is active in community volunteer work, most especially Ballet Arizona. Mrs. Schilling was one of the three founding trustees of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust when the Trust began operations in 1998. Her interests include a love for travel, the Southwest, animals, hiking, music, gardening, writing, and reading.
Upon the completion of her term in 2015 she was honored as Chairman Emerita in recognition of her outstanding service to Ballet Arizona which included co-chairing the $13 million The Next Step campaign with Jacquie Dorrance to develop Ballet Arizona’s new studios.
Mrs. Schilling joined the Ballet Arizona Board of Directors in 2009.
Carol Schilling
Board Chairman Emerita
Carol was born and raised near Bloomington, Indiana, and graduated from Indiana University cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature. After moving to Tucson, Arizona, she studied anthropology at the University of Arizona before moving to Phoenix as a staff writer and editor for The Phoenix Gazette.
Mrs. Schilling now makes her home in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she is active in community volunteer work, most especially Ballet Arizona. Mrs. Schilling was one of the three founding trustees of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust when the Trust began operations in 1998. Her interests include a love for travel, the Southwest, animals, hiking, music, gardening, writing, and reading.
Upon the completion of her term in 2015 she was honored as Chairman Emerita in recognition of her outstanding service to Ballet Arizona which included co-chairing the $13 million The Next Step campaign with Jacquie Dorrance to develop Ballet Arizona’s new studios.
Mrs. Schilling joined the Ballet Arizona Board of Directors in 2009.
David Thompson
Board Member Emeritus
David is a member of Dickinson Wright PLLC and has over 35 years of experience in law practice, specializing in providing legal advice and transactional expertise to medium-sized businesses and healthcare companies of all kinds. David provides counsel in the areas of securities (private placement offerings and regulatory compliance), lending, business formation, healthcare regulation, and advising business owners in buy-sell agreements, resolving disputes, and raising capital.
David is a graduate of Amherst College and received his law degree from the University of Virginia.
David is a member of the American Bar Association and is actively involved in fundraising and other alumni activities for Amherst College. On numerous occasions, he has been a guest speaker at Arizona State University’s Masters of Real Estate Development program and at programs sponsored by the State Bar of Arizona.
David joined the Ballet Arizona Board of Directors in 2004 and throughout his tenure served as Board Secretary, Board Vice Chair, and Board Chair. Ballet Arizona is proud to honor David and his meaningful work as a Ballet Arizona Board Emeritus.
David Thompson
Board Member Emeritus
David is a member of Dickinson Wright PLLC and has over 35 years of experience in law practice, specializing in providing legal advice and transactional expertise to medium-sized businesses and healthcare companies of all kinds. David provides counsel in the areas of securities (private placement offerings and regulatory compliance), lending, business formation, healthcare regulation, and advising business owners in buy-sell agreements, resolving disputes, and raising capital.
David is a graduate of Amherst College and received his law degree from the University of Virginia.
David is a member of the American Bar Association and is actively involved in fundraising and other alumni activities for Amherst College. On numerous occasions, he has been a guest speaker at Arizona State University’s Masters of Real Estate Development program and at programs sponsored by the State Bar of Arizona.
David joined the Ballet Arizona Board of Directors in 2004 and throughout his tenure served as Board Secretary, Board Vice Chair, and Board Chair. Ballet Arizona is proud to honor David and his meaningful work as a Ballet Arizona Board Emeritus.
David Thompson
Board Member Emeritus
David is a member of Dickinson Wright PLLC and has over 35 years of experience in law practice, specializing in providing legal advice and transactional expertise to medium-sized businesses and healthcare companies of all kinds. David provides counsel in the areas of securities (private placement offerings and regulatory compliance), lending, business formation, healthcare regulation, and advising business owners in buy-sell agreements, resolving disputes, and raising capital.
David is a graduate of Amherst College and received his law degree from the University of Virginia.
David is a member of the American Bar Association and is actively involved in fundraising and other alumni activities for Amherst College. On numerous occasions, he has been a guest speaker at Arizona State University’s Masters of Real Estate Development program and at programs sponsored by the State Bar of Arizona.
David joined the Ballet Arizona Board of Directors in 2004 and throughout his tenure served as Board Secretary, Board Vice Chair, and Board Chair. Ballet Arizona is proud to honor David and his meaningful work as a Ballet Arizona Board Emeritus.
Carol Whiteman*
Board Member Emerita
‘Carol Whiteman was the Archangel of Ballet Arizona. Carol’s first angel appearance was when she donated $100,000 to our crisis campaign. Her donation leveraged two $25,000 donations from Tina Hart and David Maniatis that took us over our $360,000 goal. Carol loved the ballet since childhood when her father took her to New York to see performances. Her artistic interest moved to the theatre but when she heard the ballet was going to close she remembered those days in New York and also the love that her deceased husband, Jack, had for ballet. Our announced closing date was Jack’s birthday and she thought “what a lovely gift that would be to Jack’s memory.” This angel continued giving to the Ballet, not just her treasury, but with years of board service by contributing her expertise in arts management and her mischievous smile and contagious laugh.’
-Gwen Hillis, Board Chair Emerita
Carol Whiteman*
Board Member Emerita
‘Carol Whiteman was the Archangel of Ballet Arizona. Carol’s first angel appearance was when she donated $100,000 to our crisis campaign. Her donation leveraged two $25,000 donations from Tina Hart and David Maniatis that took us over our $360,000 goal. Carol loved the ballet since childhood when her father took her to New York to see performances. Her artistic interest moved to the theatre but when she heard the ballet was going to close she remembered those days in New York and also the love that her deceased husband, Jack, had for ballet. Our announced closing date was Jack’s birthday and she thought “what a lovely gift that would be to Jack’s memory.” This angel continued giving to the Ballet, not just her treasury, but with years of board service by contributing her expertise in arts management and her mischievous smile and contagious laugh.’
-Gwen Hillis, Board Chair Emerita
Carol Whiteman*
Board Member Emerita
‘Carol Whiteman was the Archangel of Ballet Arizona. Carol’s first angel appearance was when she donated $100,000 to our crisis campaign. Her donation leveraged two $25,000 donations from Tina Hart and David Maniatis that took us over our $360,000 goal. Carol loved the ballet since childhood when her father took her to New York to see performances. Her artistic interest moved to the theatre but when she heard the ballet was going to close she remembered those days in New York and also the love that her deceased husband, Jack, had for ballet. Our announced closing date was Jack’s birthday and she thought “what a lovely gift that would be to Jack’s memory.” This angel continued giving to the Ballet, not just her treasury, but with years of board service by contributing her expertise in arts management and her mischievous smile and contagious laugh.’
-Gwen Hillis, Board Chair Emerita