Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation Renews Board Officer Leadership for 2026-2027

Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation has announced its Board Officers for the 2026-2027 fiscal year following unanimous approval by its Board of Directors during the Foundation's annual meeting held on June 25, 2026. Dr. Jenne K. Britell and Drayton Saunders will continue serving as Co-Chairs of the Board, helping guide the Foundation as it advances its mission to expand access to arts education, enrich communities, and steward the planning and fundraising efforts for a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center. Also re-elected are Vice Chair Nanci Weaver, Treasurer Gerald L. Biller, and Secretary Julie Harris. 

"I congratulate our Board Officers and thank each of these remarkable leaders for their continued commitment to our mission," said Tania Castroverde Moskalenko, CEO of the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation. "Their expertise and shared vision have been instrumental during an exciting period of growth. Together, we are advancing a decades-long commitment to arts education while responsibly leading the planning and fundraising efforts for a new Performing Arts Center that will inspire audiences, students and our entire community for generations." 

Board Co-Chair, Dr. Jenne K. Britell has served on the Foundation's Board since 2019 and also chairs the Building Committee. A retired banking executive, corporate board leader and experienced nonprofit advisor, she has held senior leadership positions across the public and private sectors and served on numerous Fortune 500 and nonprofit boards, including Lincoln Financial Corporation, TIAA-CREF, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Curtis Institute of Music and the Santa Fe Opera. Locally, she has served on the boards of Ringling College and the Circus Arts Conservatory. Her extensive experience in governance, finance, and strategic planning continues to guide the Foundation as it advances one of the region's most significant cultural projects. 

Drayton Saunders, President of Michael Saunders & Company, continues to bring a deep commitment to Sarasota's cultural and civic future as Co-Chair. He also serves as Campaign Cabinet Chair, leading the Foundation's fundraising efforts, and has been a member of the Board since 2021. A Sarasota native, Saunders serves on the board of Gulfside Bank and is a member of Sarasota County's Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. He previously served on the boards of the Sarasota County Economic Development Corporation and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. His leadership and longstanding investment in the region continue to strengthen the Foundation's efforts to build a performing arts center that will serve generations to come. 

Nanci Weaver serves as Vice Chair of the Board and Chair of the Arts Education and Community Engagement Committee. A former award-winning news and content producer with CNN, CBS and ABC News, Weaver is a leading advocate for expanding access to the arts in Sarasota. Her efforts include supporting transportation and tickets that enable young people to participate in arts programs and championing the vision for a new performing arts center. 

Arts advocate Gerald L. Biller serves as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee, overseeing the Foundation’s fiscal strategy and stewardship. A retired executive and dedicated philanthropist, Biller is a longtime supporter of the region’s cultural and nonprofit community, with a commitment to advancing arts education, regional theater and organizations that provide vital human services. 

An avid supporter of the arts and their positive impact on the community, Julie Harris serves as Board Secretary and Chair of the Governance Committee. She also serves on the Advisory Committee for Sarasota Ballet and the Ringling College Board and Executive Committee for Student Affairs and has served on the Board for the Circus Arts Conservatory. 

The members of the Board of Directors for the Foundation's 2026-2027 fiscal year are:

• Mark P. Famiglio
• Ella Chase Hyland
• Eileen A. Kamerick
• David Koffman
• Ling Markovitz
• James Matras
• Dr. John Maupin
• Karl Newkirk
• Steven G. Osgood
• Barbara Ann Sellinger
• James Travers
• Monica Van Buskirk
• Michael Wilson

 About Sarasota Performing Arts FoundationSarasota Performing Arts Foundation's mission is to create and sustain a vibrant performing arts center, advance education, and enrich communities by inspiring minds through the power of the arts. Since 1987, the Foundation has partnered with the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall to bring arts education to more than 40,000 students annually across five counties. Today, the Foundation continues this commitment while leading the vision for a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center in partnership with the City of Sarasota, the Bay Park Conservancy, and the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. https://www.performingartsfoundation.org/