For immediate release:
Fund for the Arts
Tory Parker
Tparker@fundforthearts.org
Louisville, KY (August 13, 2026) – Fund for the Arts welcomed 8 individuals from throughout the Greater Louisville region to the Board of Directors at the start of FY27.
“Our city is full of dedicated individuals who work across every industry, who are leaders in their communities, and who believe in the power of Louisville artists and organizations,” said Interim President and CEO Brett Shepherd. “We are so grateful to our entire board of directors for giving their passion, expertise, and time in service to Fund for the Arts and our grantees.”
On July 1, Fund for the Arts welcomed 8 individuals to their Board of Directors:
- Jon Cherry, Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist
- Al Cornish, Chief Operating Officer for Closing the Gap Consulting, LLC
- Ankur Gopal, Founder and CEO of Interapt
- Kenya Lacy, Assistant Vice President, Inclusion and Diversity Manager at Republic Bank
- Todd Lowe, Managing Partner of Parthenon and former FFTA Board of Directors Chair
- Maddie Shepard, President of Jefferson County Teachers Association
- Doris Sims, Senior Vice President of Business Development for Danny Wimmer Presents
- Alan Singleton, President Emeritus at CGB Agrifinancial Services
The new slate of board members includes representatives from long-time and NEW Fund for the Arts corporate investors and community partners, teacher/school administrative representation, and a working artist who has been directly impacted by FFTA grants throughout his career.
“This exciting new slate of board members brings not only a passion for the arts, but a range of professional expertise pivotal to our work at the Fund,” said Board Chair Scott Schaftlein. “We continue to evolve our fundraising methods and how we motivate the community to invest in their arts ecosystem. Welcoming board members who have experienced every aspect of our work helps us understand the true impact the Fund can have on our community.”
On June 30, six board members completed their terms of service with Fund for the Arts Board of Directors:
- Carolle Jones Clay, Senior Vice President Managing Director – Community Relations at Republic Bank
- Erica Fields, President at Fields Consulting, LLC
- Mark Kull, Founding Partner and CEO of Capitalis Planning Partners, Former FFTA Board of Directors Co-Chair
- Brent McKim, President of the Jefferson County Teachers Association (retired)
- Yamilca Rodriguez, Founder of Bespoke Branding Agency
- Victoria Russell, Managing Director, Inclusion & Sustainability Strategy Leader – PwC, Former FFTA Board of Directors Co-Chair
“We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to those rolling off of the board after years of meaningful service. Between tumultuous shifts in arts and culture funding on the national level, the evolution of Louisville’s corporate sphere, and our own leadership transition, this has been a season of strategic pivoting,” said Shepherd. “None of which would have been possible without support from our incredible board members.”
About Fund for the Arts
Fund for the Arts is a regional nonprofit with the mission to contribute to the overall health and well-being of our community by generating resources for, investing in, and supporting our local arts, artists, and arts organizations. The Fund envisions a healthy and vibrant community where everyone embraces the art that exists in our lives every day, everyone contributes to the well-being of our arts community, and it is understood that everyone belongs to the arts community. The organization facilitates the largest arts grant program in Greater Louisville and it conducts one of the two oldest united arts campaigns in the country. For more information, visit www.fundforthearts.org
