Lyric Opera of Chicago elects five new board members

CHICAGO (5/7/24) — Lyric Opera of Chicago announces the election of five individuals to its Board of Directors: Santino Bibbo, Bruce Braun, Denise B. Gardner, Dorri McWhorter, and John C. Robak. Unanimously voted in by the board, each member brings a wealth of expertise from diverse professional and volunteer backgrounds across various industries. Their collective commitment to the arts and community engagement makes them a valuable addition to the opera company's leadership.

Santino Bibbo, managing director and head of capital markets at Cabrera Capital Markets, brings experience in banking and financial management. His leadership as a chair of Chicago United and involvement in various Chicagoland civic organizations showcase his dedication to community support and development.

Bruce Braun, co-leader of the commercial litigation practice group at Sidley Austin LLP, has had a distinguished career in complex commercial litigation, along with extensive civic involvement. Braun holds board positions in various local organizations, such as the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the Digestive Health Foundation of Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

Denise B. Gardner is the retired president of Insights & Opportunities, Inc., a renowned marketing and strategic planning firm. Having co-founded Namaste Laboratories along with her prior leadership role at Soft Sheen Products, she holds a prominent position in the beauty industry. Gardner is also active in the arts community, including leadership roles at the Art Institute of Chicago and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Dorri McWhorter is president and CEO of YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. Additionally, her dedication to civic engagement is evident through her involvement in corporate and civic organizations, such as William Blair and Lifeway Foods.

John C. Robak, former Chairman and CEO of Greeley and Hansen, is known for his significant contributions to civil, environmental, and water infrastructure consulting on a global scale. He brings more than 30 years of professional experience to the board and holds active roles in numerous civic and business organizations.

“We are delighted to welcome Santino Bibbo, Bruce Braun, Denise B. Gardner, Dorri McWhorter, and John C. Robak to our Board of Directors," says Sylvia Neil, Board Chair of Lyric Opera of Chicago. "Their diverse expertise and dedication to the power of the arts will directly enhance Lyric's mission and our commitment to Chicago."

These newly elected members join a distinguished group of leaders on Lyric Opera's Board of Directors and begin their terms immediately.

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About Lyric

Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to redefining what it means to experience great opera. The company is driven to deliver consistently excellent artistry through innovative, relevant, celebratory programming that engages and energizes new and traditional audiences.

Under the leadership of General Director, President & CEO Anthony Freud, Music Director Enrique Mazzola, and Special Project Advisor Renée Fleming, Lyric is dedicated to reflecting, and drawing strength from, the diversity of Chicago. Lyric offers, through innovation, collaboration, and evolving learning opportunities, ever-more exciting, accessible, and thought-provoking audience and community experiences. We also stand committed to training the artists of the future, through The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center; and to becoming increasingly diverse across our audiences, staff, programming, and artists—magnifying the welcoming pull of our art form, our company, and our city.

Through the timeless power of voice, the splendor of a great orchestra and chorus, theater, dance, design, and truly magnificent stagecraft, Lyric is devoted to immersing audiences in worlds both familiar and unexpected, creating shared experiences that resonate long after the curtain comes down.

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