Board of Directors

Karen Randolph (President) is a marketing consultant. She currently serves on the Board of the American Refugee Committee, a not-for-profit organization that works for the survival, health and well being of refugees, displaced persons and those at risk. Karen was a member of the Goodman Theatre's Discovery Board and has contributed many hours as a volunteer marketing and audience development consultant for the Goodman and the Ravinia Festival.

Genevieve Daniels (Vice President, Treasurer) is the managing partner of GMD & Partners, Ltd., a law firm that provides legal support to small to mid-sized businesses in labor and employment matters, corporate transactional work and commercial litigation, as well as represents individuals, developers and investors in residential and commercial transactions. Genevieve is a fan of the Chicago arts scene and also serves as legal counsel to the Joffrey Ballet. Her first Remy Bumppo experience was seeing Waiting for Godot, the company's third production. She enjoys participating in the arts, and wants to take an active role in the creation of a space where good theatre can occur.

Nancy McDaniel (Founding President, current Secretary) had a 28-year career in the Research Department at Leo Burnett. She is co-owner of Dumela Contemporary African Art, contributing editor of GoInside Internet magazine, and a frequent volunteer for Chicago Greeters, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Earthwatch. She is a former Board member of the Goodman Theatre's Discovery Board and Wrightwood Neighbors Conservation Association.

Greg Matthew Anderson More about Greg >

Brent Beardsley is a Partner and Managing Director with the Boston Consulting Group, Inc, working with financial services companies in the Asset Management and Wealth Management areas. His work has focused primarily on growth strategies, operational effectiveness, and organizational design. He has covered many innovation topics in his casework, including deep customer discovery, idea generation, prioritization, and product management. Brent holds a master's degree in business administration from the University of Michigan, a master's of science in mechanical engineering from Northwestern University and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University.

Diane Falk is a senior loan officer with Fifth Third Bank in Wilmette and brings extensive experience in financial services and sales to Remy Bumppo. She is a long time supporter af the arts, having previously been involved with Music on Stage in Palatine, and the "Patrons of the Arts" organization at St. Viator high school. She is also a current volunteer at WFMT.

Nick Sandys (Artistic Director) More about Nick >

Brenda Schnede Grusecki is an English teacher who retired from Oak Park and River Forest High School where she chaired the English Division for seventeen years. Subsequently, she has worked as instructor and supervisor of student teachers at Northwestern University and Dominican University. She spent many years teaching in the gifted program (Center for Talent Development) for middle and high school students at Northwestern. As a Board Director of the Family Service and Mental Health Center of Oak Park and River Forest (re-named Thrive Counseling Center), Brenda served in several capacities including officer positions, gala co-chair, and co-chair of a successful endowment campaign. In 2009, she received the Rita Johnson Humanitarian Award from the organization. Currently, Brenda is a board director of Landmarks Illinois. With her husband, Brenda administers a family foundation that funds education, the arts, and housing and social service initiatives and programs. The Gruseckis enjoy and support the many cultural opportunities that Chicago offers.

Norah Jones is an associate in the Tax-Exempt Organizations Group at Quarles & Brady LLP. She focuses her practice on advising public charities, private foundations, hospitals, trade associations, and other tax-exempt entities on a variety of legal and tax matters, including governance, grant making, and international issues. Norah received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. She is a member of the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law's Associate Board and the Chicago Community Trust's Young Professional Advisory Committee. Norah lives in Logan Square with her husband Tim.

Kristin Larsen (Executive Director) joined Remy Bumppo after serving as the Director of Programs at the Arts & Business Council of Chicago. Kristin has 15 years of experience in the administration of nonprofit and commercial cultural agencies that support the performing arts through presentation, production, organizational stabilization, and technical assistance. She has been a stage manager, company manager, and production manager in Chicago, regionally and off-Broadway for various theatres and dance companies. She was the operations manager of Facets Multimedia, a premier film presenter and supplier of hard-to-find and independent films and a Business Representative with Actors' Equity Association, the union that represents Actors and Stage Managers nationwide. Kristin serves on the Board of Directors of the League of Chicago Theatres, an alliance of theaters which leverages its collective strength to promote, support and advocate for Chicago's theater industry. Kristin has her BFA in production management from The Theatre School, DePaul University and a MA in facilitating organizational effectiveness in the arts from DePaul University's School for New Learning.

Travis W. Life is an attorney who concentrates his practice in entertainment law, intellectual property, licensing and civil litigation. He represents playwrights, actors, musicians and other artists, as well as artists' businesses in various transactional and litigation matters. Travis is a new member of Remy Bumppo's Board of Directors and looks forward to his time with this wonderful theatre company.

James Lupo is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs: Curriculum and a Senior Lecturer at Northwestern University School of Law. At Northwestern, Jim teaches Contract Law and a seminar on Law and Rhetoric, which includes the study of "legal theater" and how it can inform an advocate’s rhetorical practice. Prior to joining academia in 2003, Jim's law practice concentrated in commercial litigation, including not-for-profit, education, and directors' and officers' liability issues. He is thrilled to be a part of the Remy Bumppo community.

Ann Mommsen formerly worked as the Director of Special Events for Notre Dame High School and volunteers for B-HIV in Evanston, Dream Halloween and CAFFA (dealing with children affected by AIDS).

Michael H. Nadler is a C.P.A who has spent his career working for a number of real estate development and owner/management companies as a CFO/Controller. He currently is a CFO on the Go, working with businesses and non-profits applying his extensive problem solving skill sets to contribute positive growth and create value added enhancements. Mike is a long time supporter of live theater and dance as well as a life member of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a long time patron of Remy Bumppo, he is looking forward to spreading the word about this wonderful theater company.

Mary Pavia has been involved with theater her entire life. Over the years she has appeared onstage in over one hundred productions, has worked backstage, directed, and even helped to start a theater group. She is an active member of the Theater of Western Springs. Outside of the theater, Mary is an avid runner, and volunteer for PADS of DuPage County. She is a graduate of Elmhurst College and has studied with the Royal Shakespeare Company at Oxford. After seeing Remy Bumppo's first production (and all of the subsequent ones!) she knew she wanted to be a part of this amazing company.

Be in good company – by volunteering!

We’re looking for individuals who first and foremost love Remy Bumppo and theatre. Additionally, we are seeking individuals who have experience in the fields of finance/ accounting, information technology, fundraising, program planning/ development & evaluation, and/or strategic planning. Ideal candidates have diverse networks and/or ties to art-supporting companies in the Chicago area. Is this you?

Volunteers contribute, on average, about 6-10 hours a month attending board and committee meetings as well as board-related events. In exchange for your service, you have the opportunity to interact with a dynamic group of people and play a vital role in Chicago’s cultural community. From the members on our Board to our patrons, Remy Bumppo attracts a remarkable group of creative and diverse personalities.

To learn more about becoming a Remy Bumppo Board or Committee volunteer contact Board President Karen Randolph at karen400@aol.com or Executive Director Kristin Larsen at 773-244-8119.