Business and civic leaders will provide new and valued perspectives

INDIANAPOLIS – As part of its efforts to have a leadership team bringing diversity, business experience and nonprofit involvement, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art welcomes new community leaders onto its Board of Directors and Community Board of Advisors. Seven civic leaders have been appointed to the advisory board, while two past advisors have been appointed as museum directors, and the Board elected new officers.

“In its important work as an arts and cultural institution with a national reputation for excellence, the Eiteljorg for more than 33 years has been guided by a diverse group of civic leaders with expertise in finances, the legal world, education and nonprofit organizations who volunteer their time with the Board of Directors and Community Board of Advisors. Their leadership, insights and diverse perspectives have helped the Eiteljorg engage with its communities and launch important projects that will strategically position the museum for the future,” Eiteljorg President and CEO John Vanausdall said.

The Eiteljorg’s Board of Directors is made up of 34 members who oversee the nonprofit museum’s finances and set policy. Two new directors previously served on the museum’s Community Board of Advisors, and their terms began July 1:

• Rich Hailey is a nationally known trial attorney with more than 35 years of experience who specializes in complex personal injury cases. A former president of the American Association for Justice, he has given legal presentations across the country and is involved in several international trial lawyer associations. He serves on the board of numerous non-profit organizations and is a Butler University trustee.
• Judith Thomas serves as deputy mayor of neighborhood engagement in Indianapolis Mayor Joseph Hogsett’s administration. She previously ran a consulting firm focused on the diversity of arts, culture and tourism. As the past president of the Madam Walker Legacy Center, Thomas also serves on the board of directors for Indiana Destination Development Corporation Foundation, Indy Jazz Foundation and The Cabaret, and is a trustee at her alma mater, Butler University.

The Eiteljorg Board of Directors also elected new officers whose two-year term began in July:

• Pat Anker who previously was the board vice chair is now the chair. An active community volunteer, Anker has served on the boards of WFYI, the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, the American Pianists Association and Families First Indiana, now merged with Children’s Bureau. Active with the Eiteljorg since 1998 and a sponsor of various museum exhibitions and programs, she was elected to the board in 2007. She currently serves on the museum’s Development and Collections Councils and the Executive and Strategic Planning Committees, and is a past co-chair of the Indian Market and Festival.
• Fred Green who had been board secretary moves up to vice chair. An architect licensed in more than 30 states, Green was most recently president and chief operating officer at Cripe. He serves on several civic boards, including the Paul I. Cripe Charitable Foundation and Indiana Public Safety Foundation Board.
• Don Woodley is a longtime Eiteljorg director who was elected as board secretary. For more than 27 years, he has been principal of investment management firm Woodley Farra Manion Portfolio Management, which he co-founded. Woodley has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including the Indianapolis Art Center, Humane Society of Indianapolis and others.
• Sue Back, a longtime director, continues for another term as board treasurer. She is a retired certified public accountant and chartered global management accountant, who was managing director at Pile CPAs in Indianapolis.

The Board of Directors is, along with museum management and staff, currently developing the museum’s new five-year strategic plan, which will include a new DEAI policy.

The Eiteljorg’s Board of Advisors is made up of community leaders who offer critical insight and perspective to museum staff and the Board of Directors. The museum welcomes these new seven advisors:

• Joshua L. Christie is an attorney with Ice Miller LLP and partner in the firm’s business group whose practice is focused on mergers and acquisitions, corporate transactions, commercial agreements, general corporate matters and financing transactions. He has served on the boards of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and IndyHub, and was president of the Central Indiana Land Trust Inc.
• Ruth Morales serves on Mayor Joseph Hogsett’s cabinet as director of international and Latino affairs. She leads initiatives supporting immigrant Hoosiers, language access, managing international relationships, and the program development of the mayor’s leadership program. Morales works alongside the Mayor’s Latino Advisory Council along with Latinx community leaders, and she focuses her energy on fostering a global and welcoming city.
• Patrick O’Donovan has 40 years of experience in the financial services industry, and is managing director, complex manager with Raymond James & Associates and overseeing its Indiana market. O’Donovan has a passion for the arts and has served on the boards of numerous visual and performing arts organizations.
• Carina Olaru is the director of the Latino Cultural Center at Purdue University and also director of student advocacy and education. Her mentorship and support of students, faculty and staff has been a source of revival of multiple Latinx organizations within the university. She previously served as an assistant professor at Monmouth College, where she was recognized for her work with students and the community.
• Michael Quinn is the past vice president of private banking at Star Financial Bank and recently started his own general contracting business. He is a 22-year board member of Phoenix Theatre previously served for two years on the Indiana Arts Commission, and as the president of the board at Hoosier Salon and is past president of the Lockerbie Square Foundation.
• Katie Lineweaver Robinson is the vice president of programs at the Electrification Coalition. She previously served in various roles in Indianapolis city government, most recently as director of sustainability. Her accomplishments included the “It’s My City” Initiative, a three-year, $5 million effort to make the city cleaner, greener, and more beautiful.
• Tonya Vachirasomboon is an attorney and partner with Dentons Bingham Greenebaum LLP who is a member of the firm’s corporate group and co-leader of its national mergers and acquisitions practice. As a member of the firm’s partnership board and former chair of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Vachirasomboon represents the firm on many of its diversity and inclusion initiatives on a local and national level.

Longtime Eiteljorg board member L.G. Edwards has completed his two-year term as board chair and will remain on the Board of Directors. The Eiteljorg would also like to acknowledge former board chairs Mary Beth Braitman and Tom Hoback, who are shifting to director emeritus status, and Afshan Paarlberg, who is rotating off the community Board of Advisors.

About the Eiteljorg
A cultural pillar for 33 years in downtown Indianapolis’ scenic White River State Park, the Eiteljorg Museum seeks to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the arts, histories and cultures of the Native peoples of North America and of the American West by telling amazing stories. Located on the Central Canal at 500 West Washington St., the Eiteljorg is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. It was named one of the USA Today Readers’ Choice 10 Best Indiana Attractions.

Eiteljorg Museum Media Contacts

Bryan Corbin
Public Relations Manager
317.275.1315
bcorbin@eiteljorg.com

Bert Beiswanger
Director of Marketing and Communications
317.275.1317
bbeiswanger@eiteljorg.com

Sophia Holt-Wilson
Digital Marketing Coordinator
317.275.1388
shwilson@eiteljorg.com

Brooke Sullivan
Digital Marketing Specialist
317.275.1367
bsullivan@eiteljorg.com

Image caption:
Front exterior of the Eiteljorg Museum.
Image courtesy of Jessica Strickland Photography, 2013