Woodruff Arts Center Adds Eight New Trustees to Board

New Leadership Joins the Woodruff Arts Center

The Woodruff Arts Center, a prominent cultural hub in Atlanta, recently welcomed a group of distinguished individuals to its Board of Trustees and Governing Board during its bi-annual meeting. These new members bring a wealth of experience and expertise from various industries, ensuring continued growth and innovation for the center.

Newly Appointed Board of Trustees Members

The following eight individuals have joined the Board of Trustees:

• Laura Balser – Senior Client Partner at Korn Ferry
• April Estes – Atlanta Office Managing Partner at PwC
• Christopher Hellmann – Former Chief Commercial Officer at Restaurant Technologies, Inc., and former Global VP and GM at The Coca-Cola Company
• John McKay – Partner, Southeast Region Assurance Quality and Risk Leader at ForvisMazars LLP
• Bert Nappier – Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Genuine Parts Company
• Asif Ramji – Founder and CEO of Venture Worx
• Bruce Swain – President and Chief Executive Officer at Crawford & Company
• Adrienne Trimble – Senior Vice President and Chief Inclusion Officer at Visa

These leaders represent a diverse range of backgrounds, including finance, technology, consulting, and nonprofit sectors, which will contribute to the center’s strategic direction and community engagement efforts.

New Members of the Governing Board

In addition to the new trustees, two individuals were added to the Governing Board:

• Lillian Cousins Giornelli – President of The Cousins Foundations
• Allison O’Kelly – Founder and CEO of Corps Team, who also serves as Alliance Theatre Chair

Their roles on the Governing Board will further strengthen the Woodruff Arts Center’s mission to provide access to high-quality cultural experiences and arts education.

Leadership Vision and Impact

Heidi Speckhart, the chief development officer of the Woodruff Arts Center, expressed her enthusiasm about the new additions in a press release. She stated, “We are honored to welcome these exceptional leaders to the Woodruff Arts Center Board of Trustees and Governing Board. Their collective insight and passion for service will help shape the future of the Arts Center and deepen our impact across Atlanta and beyond. We are grateful for their commitment to advancing the arts and arts education and look forward to partnering with them as we expand access to transformative cultural experiences for all.”

This sentiment reflects the center’s ongoing dedication to fostering a vibrant arts community and ensuring that cultural programming remains accessible to all residents and visitors.

Expanding Access to Cultural Experiences

With the addition of these new board members, the Woodruff Arts Center is well-positioned to continue its mission of promoting the arts through education, outreach, and innovative programming. The center’s initiatives include supporting local artists, offering educational workshops, and hosting performances and exhibitions that reflect the diversity of the Atlanta community.

By leveraging the expertise of its board members, the Woodruff Arts Center aims to create a more inclusive and dynamic cultural landscape that resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds.