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 July 19, 2022

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

President
Nasrin Thierer

Vice President – At Large
Julie Baskes °

Vice President – Fundraising
John A. Nitschke °

Vice President – Fundraising, Co-Chair
Salme Harju Steinberg

Vice President – Nominating
Debbie K. Wright

Vice President – Nominating, Co-Chair
David S. Fox

Vice President – Strategic Planning
Juliana Y. Chyu

Vice President – Strategic Planning, Co-Chair
Michael Oberman

Secretary
Julian A. Oettinger

Treasurer
Gregory J. O’Leary

Members

Queta Rodriguez Bauer
Heidi Heutel Bohn
Amy Carbone
Tanja Chevalier
Pamela L. Crutchfield
Nancy Dehmlow
Allan Drebin °
Erika E. Erich
Lafayette J. Ford
Anthony Freud
Mira J. Frohnmayer
Melvin Gray
Lynn E. Hauser
Mary Ellen Hennessy
Martha A. Hesse
Beatriz Iorgulescu
Loretta Julian
Chester T. Kamin
Michael A. Leppen
Philip Lumpkin
Erma S. Medgysey
Helen Hall Melchior
Frank B. Modruson
Cherilyn Murer
Phyllis Neiman
Susan Noel
Kenneth R. Norgan
Jane DiRenzo Pigott
Ted Reichardt
Richard O. Ryan
Richard Warren Shepro
Gay Stanek
Virginia Tobiason
Cynthia Vahlkamp
Donna Van Eekeren °
Harriet Weinstein
Jack Weiss
Joan Zajtchuck

Life Members

Katherine A. Abelson °
Janet V. Burch
Lawrence O. Corry
Mrs. James W. Cozad
Bernard J. Dobroski
Mrs. Thomas D. Heath
Susan R. Kiphart °
Jeanne Randall Malkin
Keith A. Reed °
Mrs. William D. Staley
Mrs. J.W. Van Gorkom °
William C. Vance °
Howard A. Vaughan, Jr.

° = Past President