About the EdTA Board of Directors
Krista Carson Elhai
President
Term: 7/1/2023 – 6/30/2025
Theatre Educator
Claremont, CA
Richard Frazier-Sostillio
Vice President
Term: 7/1/2023 – 6/30/2025
Educator, Director, Choreographer
Warner Robins, GA
Helen Duranleau-Brennan
Past President
Term: 7/1/2023 – 6/30/2024
Literary and Arts Consultant
Davenport, IA
Joannarae Ibañez
Board Director
Term: 5/5/2021 – 6/30/2024
Theatre educator and administrator
Pico Rivera, CA
Monique Chism
Board Director
Term: 9/25/2021 – 6/30/2024
Smithsonian Institution
Upper Marlboro, MD
Patricia Santanello
Board Director
Term: 7/1/2022 – 6/30/2025
Theatre director
Dublin, OH
Silvia D. Scaife
Board Director
Term: 7/1/2022 – 6/30/2025
Theatre educator
Auburn, AL
Tricia Patrick
Board Director
Term: 12/1/2022 – 6/30/2025
Dir. of Education, Ford’s Theatre
Washington, D.C.
Mary Schuttler
Board Director
Term: 5/5/2021 – 6/30/2024
University of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO
Jeff Hall
Board Director
Term: 7/1/2023 – 6/30/2026
Educator, Director
Portland, OR
Cheryl Williams
Board Director
Term: 7/1/2023 – 6/30/2026
Director/Designer
Smithfield, VA
Nick Ginsberg
Board Director
Term: 7/1/2023 – 6/30/2027
General Manager, Foresight Theatrical
New York, NY
The EdTA board of directors comprises eight elected members, including the president and vice president, and three appointed members. The vice president/president serves a five-year term, two as VP, two as president, and one as past president. Other elected members serve three-year terms and may be re-elected for a total service of six years. Appointed members serve one four-year term.
Board Role
The EdTA board is a governing board (not a working board). What does a governing board do?
- Sets direction: Reviews EdTA’s mission to ensure that it remains a guidepost, establishes strategic goals and priorities, plans for the future.
- Ensures and protects resources: The board is responsible for protecting financial assets, physical assets, reputation, and image.
- Provides oversight: Ensures policies are in place to evaluate infrastructure, programs, and services.
- Engages in outreach: Understands, interprets, and communicates the diverse needs of the membership. Board directors act as ambassadors and advocates of the mission.
The board is not an honorary post, nor is it involved in day-to-day operations — those are managed solely by the executive director, who is the board’s employee. Board members must be comfortable making strategic and sometimes-difficult decisions that affect the entire membership.
