Lyric Young Professionals Board

Joe Michalak joined the LYP Board in 2017 after having joined the LYP in 2013. He joined the LYP Board in order to help introduce Lyric to the next generation of opera fans, and give back to the arts community in Chicago. Joe is an Associate Managing Director at CIBC, and also serves as the Treasurer of the Chicago Metamorphosis Orchestra Project (ChiMOP), a nonprofit organization which seeks to affect positive social change in young students with limited access to the arts.

Neil joined the Lyric Young Professionals Board in 2019, after having been a member since 2016. He has attended performances at Lyric since 2007 and has come to depend on the drama, passion, and virtuosity to get him through the winter months. This year, he is most excited to meet new members of LYP and learn what draws them to this art form. In his professional career, Neil is a certified public accountant who specializes in audit and employee benefit plans. Otherwise, he loves trying new foods and visiting Chicago’s lakefront.

Elise first heard opera through the radio, too young to understand the host’s explanations, but still transported by the sound. From there, opera found ways to grow in her heart until she was sneaking away from boarding school to get rush tickets to the Met. After graduating from William & Mary and finding love & work in Chicago, she was thrilled to become a season ticket holder at the Lyric and joined the Lyric Young Professionals shortly after that. She is currently a Director of Operations at XSELL Technologies, a Chicago-based startup, where she works with her team to innovate the next generation of ethical AI. In her free time, she helps with her family’s cheese shop and will happily talk to you about why cheese is really just like opera.

Her fiancée is an operations maverick in the financial services sector. Their Frenchie (Monty) is learning to bark Elise’s favorite aria, “O mio babbino caro”, even though he’s more of a bark-itone than a soprano.

Elise is excited to serve as the Events Chair for LYP and work to create spaces for more people to be introduced to and celebrate the opera!

Natalie recently joined the Lyric Young Professionals Board as a Member at Large in 2018. Natalie attended her first opera at Lyric in 1998. In her professional life, Natalie has worked for Amazon as Director of Strategic Partnerships and as a Regional Sales Director at Morningstar, at Northwestern Mutual as Director of Recruitment and Development, and pursued her MBA at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business. She has volunteered for many nonprofits in the past such as Young Life and HFS and is excited to bring her experience in fundraising to the Young Professionals. Aside from opera and finance, Natalie is an aspiring golfer, skier and an avid traveler.

Sara works at TMC, a division of CH Robinson. She has great passion for Opera, and Lyric specifically; attending performances at Lyric from a young age. She has a deep passion for introducing new audiences to the opera, and embracing the idea of “Opera for All.” Notably, Sara has a history of bringing her friends to their first performance, and changing perspectives on the operagoing experience. Sara has a history of volunteerism and civic involvement dating back to high school, and most recently working with The Simple Good Chicago on event planning, fundraising, and corporate partnerships.

Jared currently serves as assistant vice president of advancement at Roosevelt University in Chicago ― growing relationships with individuals, corporations and foundations who invest in the University through charitable giving and engagement. His leadership has helped secure nearly $20 million in donations since 2020, with an emphasis on gifts intended to increase access to and equity in higher education. His previous directorships supported Roosevelt’s marketing communications and enrollment management efforts. Earlier this year, Jared assumed the role of editor for the University’s magazine, The Roosevelt Review. Jared earned a Master of Arts in voice performance from Roosevelt’s Chicago College of Performing Arts, as well as a Bachelor of Arts from Central College in Pella, Iowa. His love of music began at an early age when he joined the Des Moines Children’s Chorus. He remains a strong supporter and advocate for the arts. Jared’s passions closely align with Lyric Opera of Chicago’s commitment to equity and inclusion, and creating world-class art. He hopes to engage other young professionals in this important work ― helping diversify Lyric’s audiences. Jared joined the Lyric Young Professionals Board in 2023.

Ben is new to the Lyric Young Professionals Board in 2020, having been a member for several years prior, but has been regularly attending Lyric Opera performances since 2012 (his favorite opera is Rigoletto). He played both trumpet and piano through high school in the suburbs of Detroit, MI, but best connected with the carillon (a tuned tower bell instrument played by means of a keyboard), playing throughout his time at the University of Florida, where he studied accounting. Ben is currently a Senior Manager with the Washington National Tax office of RSM US LLP, specializing in the taxation of partnerships and financial instruments, having been with the firm since 2012. Outside of work and Lyric, Ben enjoys camping, cycling, fishing and other outdoor pursuits. Ben looks forward to working with the rest of the Lyric Young Professionals Board to advance LYP’s mission.

Sara has been a member of Lyric Young Professionals since 2016 after returning to Chicago from her residency in New Orleans. As a medical student at Rush Medical College, she found a great amount of joy and solace in going to Lyric to not only escape from medical textbooks for a couple of hours, but also to delight in the wonders of a Lyric performance. Once returning, Sara knew she wanted to continue her involvement with Lyric and became an LYP Member at Large in 2019. Her favorite opera is Pagliacci, which goes to show that great experiences can come in small packages. Outside of attending operas, Sara is an obstetrician and gynecologist and recently relocated to San Diego to join Sharp Rees-Stealy medical group. She enjoys travel, culinary adventures, and can always be found post-yoga.

Maggie joined the Lyric Young Professionals Board in 2023. Maggie works as a research analyst at the University of Chicago’s Urban Labs, where she collaborates with civic and community leaders to research the social determinants of health equity. As a quantitative researcher, Maggie aspires to leverage her skills to promote opera in the community and extend the reach of the LYP to new generations and diverse audiences through data-driven approaches.

Maggie holds a Master of Arts degree in International Relations from the University of Chicago, as well as Bachelor of Arts degrees in Business Economics and Political Science from the University of California, Irvine. Her educational background and interdisciplinary expertise shape her comprehensive approach to addressing societal complexities. With her passion for the arts, analytical acumen, and commitment to research, Maggie hopes to make a significant impact as a member of the Lyric Young Professionals Board and in her broader endeavors promoting social equity and cultural enrichment.

Alexa C. Rice is a senior director with Handshake Partners, where she oversees client accounts and assists with providing strategic guidance to clients through research and writing. Prior to joining Handshake, Alexa spent time working in public relations and communications at BBDO Worldwide, Fleishman-Hillard, and Yoox; her work took her to Shanghai for a year in 2011-12. Alexa is a member of Lyric Young Professionals and serves on its Board. She also serves on the board of Openlands and is passionate about ecology, environmental justice, and making green spaces accessible for all people. She recently earned a master’s degree in divinity from Harvard Divinity School; her work focused on Womanist interpretation of the Bible and the comparative study of the Abrahamic traditions. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College in 2011. Alexa is the granddaughter of the late John and the late Eunice Johnson (founders and leaders of Johnson Publishing) and the daughter of Linda Johnson Rice (longtime chair and CEO of Johnson Publishing). Alexa enjoys tango dancing, horseback riding, and clay target shooting.

Katie joined the LYP board in 2022. As a board member, Katie aims to make opera accessible to broader and more diverse populations than is historically typical — she believes opera is for everyone. Katie holds a B.M. in Vocal Performance and a B.A. in English Writing from DePauw University, an M.Ed. in Elementary Education from The University of Missouri, St. Louis, and a Ph.D. in Arts Administration, Education and Policy from The Ohio State University. Katie is a Senior Research Scientist at the University of Chicago’s Urban Education Institute, working with UChicago Impact. Her research interests include adolescent literacy and arts-based pedagogies, particularly the intersection between literacy, art-making, and social justice. Katie also serves on the Chicago Public Library Foundation Associate Board and is a Sustainer with the Junior League of Chicago. In her free time, Katie enjoys reading, needlepointing, and singing opera to her dog. Her favorite concert aria to perform for him is Mozart’s “No, no, che non sei capace.”

Caroline joined the LYP board as a member-at-large in 2022 and serves on the events committee. She watched her first opera–a production of La traviata on VHS tape–as a toddler, sitting on the couch with her father, and began attending performances at Lyric in 1996. The many years that she spent accompanying her grandfather on his subscription are among her most treasured memories, and she continued to catch as many performances as possible during her years at Northwestern University. She enjoys sharing this moving and vibrant art form with audience members new and old. Caroline is deeply committed to impactful fundraising, event planning, and community engagement in her home city of Chicago and also serves on the PAWS Chicago Professional Board.

Joan has always had a love of music and learned to read sheet music before she could read words. Growing up, she took regular piano and ballet lessons. The first opera she attended was The Marriage of Figaro at age 11, and she’s been a regular opera-goer ever since. Joan does her best to embrace her inner nerd and has self-guided study sessions before she watches a show, but she also just really loves sitting back and enjoying the music. Her favorite aria is “Madamina, il catalogo è questo” from Don Giovanni. Joan currently works at BP, marketing jet fuel. She recently relocated to Houston where she’s trying not to let her new baby get too much in the way of the opera season, birding, and her continual exploration of new hobbies.

Jaime is ecstatic to join the LYP Board as a Member at Large for the 2023/2024 season. She attended her first production at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Rusalka, in 2014 with her grandmother. Jaime is an opera singer by trade, and has now transitioned primarily to arts administration, currently working for Grantmakers in the Arts. They are also an advisory board member for the African American Network at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Her favorite operas include Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah and Rhiannon Gidden’s Omar.

Brian Shumaker may have fallen asleep at his first opera (Madama Butterfly) at age 14, but no worries, he's a huge fan anyway. A native of Louisville, KY, he first joined LYP in 2011. As a "retired" classical tenor, he loves interacting with new people at all stages of their opera development through LYP and being an ambassador for the art form. He performs regularly with the Apollo Chorus of Chicago and even still sings professionally on occasion. He works in learning design and development for a corporate training firm.

Linda joined the Board of Lyric Young Professionals as a Member at Large in 2021. Linda’s love of opera originated in the pages of her favorite mystery story, The Phantom of the Opera. Intrigued by its parallels to the legend of Faust, she was transformed into an opera devotee by the discovery of a recording of Gounod’s Faust which remains the cherished favorite of her music collection. In 2008, she realized a long held dream when she attended her first opera, Bizet’s Carmen, at Lyric Opera of Chicago and has since become a loyal subscriber. She works as a teacher, librarian, and tech-specialist at Carol Stream Elementary School and has devoted herself to the pursuit and advocacy of arts and education having earned her B.A. in English Literature and Theatre Performance from North Central College and graduated with merit from the University of Leicester with an M.A. in Victorian Studies, specializing in Gothic and Romantic Literature. Her natural affinity for the string section of the orchestra has inspired her to become an amateur violinist and harpist. She is also a passionate admirer of Hector Berlioz and his music.

Sunny joined the Lyric Young Professionals Board as a Member At Large for the 2020/21 Season. Music has been a lifelong love for Sunny. She grew up with opera thanks to her father who sang tenor arias around the house. She played the cello and piano and sang in various school and church choirs. At Cornell University, she was one of the original members of Hearsay, an all-female a cappella group. She hopes to help the LYP expand the reach of opera to new generations and help increase the accessibility of opera for diverse communities and audiences. Sunny earned her bachelor's degree from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations and a graduate degree in Global Affairs from New York University. After more than five years as a Human Resources professional, Sunny earned her law degree from Loyola University Chicago. Sunny is the Assistant General Counsel at Griffith Foods International Inc., a global food seasoning company. She is also on the board of the Korean American Bar Association of Chicago and Hanul Family Alliance, a local non-profit providing comprehensive community-based services to Asian American and immigrant seniors and families in the Chicagoland area.

Laura grew up in a family where music was a second language. She is a lifelong performer, singing and playing piano, trumpet, and French horn since childhood. Laura performed in her first opera in high school and was ecstatic to discover LYP and a new home at Lyric as an adult. She earned her BS and MS in chemical engineering from the University of Rochester and works in low-carbon energy consulting at Advisian, a Worley Group company.