Leadership

UPAF is led by experienced and dedicated professionals

The UPAF Board and staff bring years of experience across the private and nonprofit sectors together with a passion for ensuring performing arts excellence and accessibility in Southeastern Wisconsin.


UPAF Board

The community leaders who make up UPAF’s Board of Directors generously contribute their time, skills and resources to engage the community in support of UPAF’s mission and ensure strong, transparent and accountable organizational operations. 

Board Officers

2025 UPAF Board of Directors

Scott Beightol*
Board Chair
Partner
Michael Best & Friedrich LLP

Brent Tischler*
Treasurer
Community Banking CEO
Old National Bank

Stephanie Lyons*
Secretary
Chief Audit Executive, Enterprise Risk Assurance
Northwestern Mutual

Ryan L. Barbieri — Executive Vice President, M3 Insurance
Steve Booth — Chairman, President and CEO, Robert W. Baird
Jim Borris* — President & CEO, Zilber, LTD
Jeff Cady — Wealth Management Advisor, US Bancorp Investments
Andrew Flack — Chief Commercial Officer, Marcus Hotels and Resorts
Dan Gallegos — Information Technology Executive, West Bend Insurance Company
Dustin Godsey — Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Milwaukee Bucks & Fiserv Forum
Chris Goller* — Regional President, PNC Bank
Dr. Cheryl Greer-Jordan — Vice President for Inclusion and Diversity and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Medical College of Wisconsin
Bill Guc — Vice President & Controller, WEC Energy Group, Inc.
Katy Hook — Partner, PricewaterHouse Coopers
Juliet Kersten — Community Volunteer
Dr. Phyllis King — Vice Provost, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Melanie Brown Maddux — Regional Vice President, ManpowerGroup US Inc.
Tim Mattke* — CEO, MGIC
Skip McConeghy — VP, Chief Accounting & Tax Officer, Johnson Controls
George Meyer — Retired CEO, Kahler Slater
Rebecca Mitich — Office Managing Partner, Husch Blackwell
Dr. Jaya Phookan — Chief Medical Officer, Aurora Health Care
Anoop Prakash — Executive Vice President, AriensCo
Heather Ramirez* — Community Volunteer
Joe Rock* ** — Managing Partner, KPMG
Amy Schubert — Chief Administrative Officer, BMO Wealth Management
Ray Snisky — Group President, Distribution, Apple Leisure Group
Deb Spanic — VP, Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer, Clarios
Tim Stewart — President & Managing Partner, DeWitt, LLP
Natacha Velez — Director, Supplier Quality and Market Quality Excellence, Molson Coors
Gary Witt — CEO, Co-Owner & President, The Pabst Theater Group
 

*Denotes Executive Committee
**Denotes Audit Committee Compliance Officer


Staff

The United Performing Arts Fund is powered by an experienced and dedicated ensemble of fundraisers and professionals committed to performing arts excellence and inclusion. We take our role as stewards of your gifts very seriously and make the most of every donation, ensuring that the funds are used in the best way possible.

Executive Team

Annemarie Scobey-Polacheck — President & CEO
Bruce Osgood — Chief Administrative Officer
Christine Hojnacki — Chief Development Officer

Administration

Jaime Due — IT Specialist
Hanna Mueller (Walsh) — Donor Support Specialist
Katrina Reigh Rider — Operations Specialist
Lisa Rulf — Data Systems Director
Tina Sternitzky — Integrated Fundraising Director
Kathy Taylor — Gift Entry Specialist

Advancement

Sarah Giovannetti — Development Director
Colleen Hider — Development Director
Katie Korek — Public Relations & Communications Manager
Angela Topetzes Strelka — Development Director
Jennifer Wareham — Development Director, Corporate Leadership

Office of the President

Sue Connor, CPA — Finance Director
Dani Kuepper — Community Engagement Manager
Jane Reardon, CPA — Finance Director