Van Wezel Foundation Welcomes Three New Board Members

July 14, 2021 – Sarasota

The Van Wezel Foundation (Foundation) recently welcomed three new board members at its annual meeting on Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Sharon Hillstrom, Rochelle Nigri and Walton Pearson were each unanimously approved to serve a three-year term. In addition, Foundation officers were voted to renewed terms, including Board Chair James Travers, Vice Chair Jenne Britell, Secretary Julie Harris and Treasurer Vernon Chalfant.

“We are thrilled to welcome Sharon, Rochelle and Walt to the Van Wezel Foundation’s Board of Directors at such a pivotal time,” said Jim Travers, board chairman. “We are so fortunate to have board membership made up of leaders in our community who share in the Foundation’s values of passion, inclusivity, collaboration and stewardship.”

Sharon Hillstrom is president and CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation, the lead economic development organization serving the nine communities that make up the Bradenton area in Manatee County. Prior to joining the Bradenton Area EDC, Hillstrom’s career was focused on sales promotion and marketing in the retail, medical and service industries. Hillstrom is active in several community organizations, currently serving on the executive committee of CareerSource Suncoast, the board of directors of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County and the Advisory Commission for the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.

“I am so pleased to have the opportunity to contribute my experience in economic development to realize the promise of a new performing arts center that will serve the entire region and be a catalyst for economic vitality,” said Hillstrom.

Rochelle Nigri is a financial advisor with The Bellwether Group at Morgan Stanley. In 1998, Nigri moved from Jamaica to Sarasota and earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida with a double concentration in Economics and International Relations. Nigri has over 17 years of experience as an advocate for clients with companies in finance, retail, media and philanthropy. Committed to being connected to the community, Nigri volunteers for causes devoted to the arts, education, and the welfare of children and families including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Girls Inc. of Sarasota County.

“The Van Wezel Foundation is committed to creating a vision for greater Southwest Florida that includes building an accessible and dynamic arts scene with innovative programming, education and lifelong learning at its core, and I am excited to be part of this transformative initiative for our community,” said Nigri.

Walton Pearson is a managing director at Brown Capital Management headquartered in Baltimore, MD, and has been in the investment management industry for over 35 years. Pearson holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science cum laude in management from St. Francis College, where he received a four-year athletic scholarship. Over the years, Pearson has served on several non-profit board of directors, including, Baltimore Community Foundation, Baltimore School for the Arts, Garrison Forest School, The Park School of Baltimore, and Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship. Pearson was also one of the founding members of the National Association of Securities Professionals Boston Chapter, where he served as the organization’s first president.

“I am pleased to join the Van Wezel Foundation’s Board of Directors as the Foundation seeks to chart a new, powerful course for the arts on the Gulf Coast. I look forward to championing the Foundation’s mission to extend arts education and bolster the vision for a new performing arts center as a cultural beacon that’s open to all,” said Pearson.

Additional board members who will continue their service for the Foundation, include Ali Bahaj, Gerald Biller, Chad Campbell, Mark Famiglio, Michele Hooper, Jaih Jackson, David Koffman, Michael Martella, John Maupin, Elaine McClure, Karl Newkirk, Nanci Ross-Weaver, Charlie Wilson and Michael Wilson. Ex officio members are Van Wezel/Sarasota Performing Arts Center Foundation CEO Cheryl Mendelson and Executive Director of the city-owned Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Mary Bensel.