Board of Directors

Board Chair

Kendra is the Artistic and Education Director for Great Theatre and is dedicated to increasing access to the arts and developing partnerships and opportunities to tell the stories of our community and expanding learning experiences for all ages. Kendra teaches acting and theatre at St. Cloud Community and Technical College, has worked with area schools and was selected to the 2022 cohort of the Minnesota YOung American Leaders Program with the University of Minnesota and Harvard Business School. Kendra holds a Master of Theatre Studies from Southern Oregon University.

Board Co-Chair

Tyler is a Special Events & Marketing Lead with the City of St. Cloud Park and Recreation Department. Tyler has a strong passion for engagement in municipal and non-profit organizations. New to Minnesota, and the Saint Cloud community, Tyler supported the mission of The Whit Gallery by assisting in support of events. Tyler holds a B.A. Urban Planning from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI, and is currently enrolled in the Masters of Public Administration program at St. Cloud State University.

Board Secretary

Betz is an avid traveler, expressionist painter, photo essayist, activist, retired Management Consultant and IT Project Manager. New to the Saint Cloud community, Betz provided organizational support and volunteer coordination for The Whit Gallery and the Tiny School of Art and Design. Betz continues to provide organizational support for Heijeu Arts. Betz has participated in Central Minnesota Arts Board (CMAB) grant review panels and event support for The Whit Gallery, Bruno Press and TedX St. Cloud. Betz holds a B.S Art Education from Northern Illinois University and a Master Certificate in Project Management from Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.

Board Treasurer

Mary studied Business Management at University of Wisconsin River Falls and currently provides financial bookkeeping services to a wide variety of clients via BytheBooks Financial Services, LLC. Mary has been a treasurer for several non-profit boards in the Twin Cities. Mary has extensive knowledge of accounting principles, income tax policy and procedures and reporting. Mary is a published poet and first place award recipient in the 2016 National Federation of State Poetry Societies.

Arts Programming

Michael is a Saint Cloud State University English Faculty Member. Michael has extensive teaching experience, a catalog of refereed publications and presentations and vast professional development and community engagement experience. . Michael holds a PH.D in Multicultural Education from University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, a M.Ed, in Instructional Process from Washington University, St. Louis, MO and a B.S., Secondary English Education from Greenville College.

Arts Programming

Lily is a Central MN-based mixed media artist exploring agrarian and rural imagery as it relates to concepts of value, ownership, and identity. Lily teaches art at the Sartell Middle School. She was previously the Arts Coordinator at Art in Motion on the Lake Wobegon Trail. Lily holds a B.A. in Studio Arts and Art History from University of Minnesota, Morris. Lily also serves on the board of Raising a Farmer Non Profit, as well as The Holdingford Fine Arts Now Booster Club. Through her work in arts programming she strived to make arts accessible and meaningful.

Community Engagement

Anthony is a photographer who uses photography to sharpen his vision of the beauty in the world. He believes we are all connected to each other and all the things around us. Through his work he aims to bring a sense of belonging and wonder to things around us and to cherish it all. Anthony holds a B.A in Photography and Cinematography from the University of Minnesota.

Community Engagement

Keith is a native of Illinois and longtime resident of Saint Cloud, Minnesota, Keith Piskur is a poet, public speaker, and activist focusing on the subjects of diversity, human rights, violence prevention, disability awareness, and mixed orientation relationships. Keith is a longtime member of Advocates for Independence as well as a current member of Project 37 and Spiritual Social Action Committee. While attending Saint Cloud State University, Keith co-founded the disability rights organization Breaking Barriers. An avid fan of local music and theater, Keith enjoys writing, exploring nature, photography, and training his service dog. A student of life, Keith believes in encouraging connection and collaboration while also speaking your truth.

Community Engagement

Keisha is a Resource Navigator for the United Way of Central Minnesota, a Program Coordinator with Higher Works Collaborative and provides leadership and mentoring to youth through church and school programs. Keisha has been a committee member at various organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Social Venture Partners, Stearns County Human Services, Martin Luther King Service Project and a Board Member at D Blake Center serving underprivileged youth. As an AmeriCorp member, Keisha served as a Literacy Leader with the United Way of Central Minnesota. Keisha is a Jugaad Leadership Program graduate, a Beta Sigma Phi Laureate, and a 2022 Martin Luther King Humanitarian recipient.