Mary Stowell joins Lyric Opera of Chicago Board of Directors

CHICAGO (5/27/25) — The leadership team at Lyric Opera of Chicago is pleased to announce that Mary Stowell has officially joined its Board of Directors, following her election at the company’s Annual Meeting on May 22. A longtime supporter of Lyric and a leader in civil rights law, Stowell brings extensive experience as an attorney, now retired, and a lifelong commitment to civil rights and the arts to her newly elected role on the board.

“I have long admired Mary. Her deep legal expertise and her enduring support for Lyric make her an exceptional addition to our Board,” says Sylvia Neil, Board Chair. “Mary’s passion and intelligence will strengthen our work as a Board as we continue guiding Lyric’s growth and impact in the community.”

Mary Stowell is a founding partner and was of counsel to the law firm of Stowell & Friedman, which focuses on civil and workers' rights. Before founding Stowell & Friedman, she was an Assistant United States Attorney in the Criminal Division of the Northern District of Illinois. She currently also serves on the Board of the ACLU of Illinois. Stowell earned her BA from the University of Missouri - Kansas City and her JD from Northwestern University School of Law.

A Lyric subscriber since 1985, Stowell has played a vital role in supporting the company for nearly four decades. She is also the newest member of Lyric’s Enrique Circle, a group of distinguished supporters who sponsor Music Director Enrique Mazzola. The Enrique Circle is composed of Lyric’s most dedicated patrons, committed to championing Maestro Mazzola’s artistic vision and ensuring the continued success of his musical leadership and legacy at Lyric.

Stowell’s term on the Board begins immediately, and she joins the more than 100 members who help guide the strategic direction and long-term vitality of the company.

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About Lyric

Lyric Opera of Chicago is where the world sings — and where Chicago comes alive.

Under the leadership of General Director, President & CEO John Mangum and Music Director Enrique Mazzola, Lyric stands at the intersection of artistic excellence and civic purpose, harnessing the full power of opera — voice, orchestra, stagecraft, and story — to illuminate the questions, emotions, and experiences that define us as human beings. Nearly 75 seasons of world-class performances have made Lyric one of the greatest opera companies in the world. What drives us now is what has always driven us: the belief that this art form, at its best, can move people in ways nothing else can.

Lyric is also Chicago’s partner — in its neighborhoods, its schools, and its communities — through education, engagement, and a relentless commitment to making opera accessible, relevant, and irresistible to everyone. At the heart of that commitment is The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, which trains the artists who will carry this art form into its future. Every night when the curtain rises, Lyric reminds this city — and the world — why live performance still matters.

Lyric Opera of Chicago doesn’t just present opera, it redefines what opera can be. It’s where Chicago comes to be moved, inspired, and connected.

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