The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center Board

The purpose of The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center Board is to support the Ryan Opera Center, the artist development program of Lyric Opera of Chicago, and to support the overall operations of Lyric. 

Founded in 1978, the Ryan Opera Center Board's 60 current members take great pride in helping to nurture the talents of the best emerging artists of the next generation. The Ryan Opera Center Board produces Rising Stars in Concert and the Ryan Opera Center Gala, collectively raising over $2.5 million annually. 

Last updated October 21, 2025

Honorary Co-Chairs
Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan

President
Amy Carbone

Vice President – Fundraising
Cherilyn Murer

Vice President – Nominating
David S. Fox

Vice President – Nominating, Co-Chair
Lafayette J. Ford

Vice President – Strategic Planning
Michael A. Oberman

Treasurer
Queta Rodriquez Bauer

Secretary
Gay Stanek

Members

Jonathan Becker
Leslie Bertholdt
Phoebe Boelter
Heidi Heutel Bohn
Tanja Chevalier
Juliana Y. Chyu
Pamela Crutchfield
Nancy Dehmlow
Fred L. Drucker
Erika E. Erich
Mary Ellen Hennessy
Mary Lunz Houston
Beatriz Iorgulescu
Loretta Julian
Chester T. Kamin
Karen Kawashima
Philip Lumpkin
Frank B. Modruson
Cherilyn Murer
Phyllis Neiman
John A. Nitschke °
Susan Noel
Gregory J. O'Leary
Julian A. Oettinger
Carolyn Kae Phillips
Jane DiRenzo Pigott
Ted Reichardt
Richard O. Ryan
Richard Warren Shepro
Ross Slotten
Salme Harju Steinberg
Nasrin Thierer °
Virginia Tobiason
Cynthia Vahlkamp
Donna Van Eekeren °
Roberta L. Washlow
Harriet Weinstein
Jack Weiss
Debbie K. Wright
Joan Zajtchuk

Life Members

Katherine A. Abelson °
Julie Baskes °
Janet V. Burch
Lawrence O. Corry
Mrs. James W. Cozad
Melvin Gray
Martha A. Hesse
Susan R. Kiphart °
Erma S. Medgyesy
Keith A. Reed °

° = Past President