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 3, 2023 

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

President
Nasrin Thierer

Vice President – Fundraising
John A. Nitschke °

Vice President – Fundraising, Co-Chair
Salme Harju Steinberg

Vice President – Nominating
David S. Fox

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

Vice President – Strategic Planning
Michael A. Oberman

Vice President – Strategic Planning, Co-Chair
Amy Carbone

Secretary
Julian A. Oettinger

Treasurer
Gregory J. O’Leary

Members

Queta Rodriguez Bauer
Heidi Heutel Bohn
Tanja Chevalier
Juliana Y. Chyu
Pamela Crutchfield
Nancy Dehmlow
Erika E. Erich
Anthony Freud
Mira J. Frohnmayer
Melvin Gray
Mary Ellen Hennessy
Beatriz Iorgulescu
Loretta Julian
Chester T. Kamin
Michael A. Leppen
Philip Lumpkin
Frank B. Modruson
Cherilyn Murer
Phyllis Neiman
Susan Noel
Kenneth R. Norgan
Jane DiRenzo Pigott
Ted Reichardt
Richard O. Ryan
Richard Warren Shepro
Ross A. Slotten
Gay Stanek
Virginia Tobiason
Cynthia Vahlkamp
Donna Van Eekeren °
Harriet Weinstein
Jack Weiss
Debbie K. Wright
Joan Zajtchuck

Life Members

Katherine A. Abelson °
Julie Baskes °
Janet V. Burch
Lawrence O. Corry
Mrs. James W. Cozad
Mrs. Thomas D. Heath
Martha A. Hesse
Susan R. Kiphart °
Erma S. Medgyesy
Keith A. Reed °
Mrs. William D. Staley
William C. Vance °
Howard A. Vaughan, Jr.

° = Past President