Sally Sharp, President
Sally works as Head of Student Life at Sacred Heart Schools in Chicago and has over twenty-five years of experience working as an educational administrator developing programs and overseeing support services for children and young adults. For the past five years she has worked with CircEsteem to offer an afterschool circus class at Sacred Heart and regularly calls on CircEsteem to assist with other fun activities at school.
Meredith George, Secretary
Meredith joined CircEsteem’s board of directors in 2007. She has been an attorney since 1982. Meredith currently works as an educator in CircEsteem’s Homework Circuswork program. In addition, she volunteers on and off boards for various organizations in the Chicago area. She has three children, one of whom has been in CircEsteem since 2001.
Ken Krantz, Treasurer
Ken has been a financial planner for 7 years with Ameriprise Financial, working with individuals from various backgrounds to achieve their financial goals. Prior, he worked as an arts administrator for 11 years with various symphony orchestras across the country, including Executive Director Positions with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago (the training arm of the Chicago Symphony) and the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra. He enjoys attending the theater and symphony and plays tennis is his spare time.
Craig Jeffrey
Craig D. Jeffrey joined CircEsteem’s board of directors in 2011. He is a partner at Bryan Cave, LLP where his practice focuses on commercial real estate and finance. In addition to his role at CircEsteem, Craig also serves as a board member of Chicago Youth Centers and Quad Communities Development Corporation. Craig has focused on youth services and education related boards since he joined the St. Louis Charter School Board back in 2001.
Pamela Popeil
Pamela works as Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School in Chicago. Pamela Popeil has over twenty-five years of experience as a passionate educator and advocate for children and adolescents, ages three through eighteen. Pamela gained experience in a variety of clinical settings, including her service as Director of Education at Rock Creek Center, a residential setting for adolescents. She also has two children who have participated in CircEsteem programs for over 5 years.
Prexy Nesbitt
Born on Chicago’s West Side, Rozell “Prexy” Nesbitt has spent more than four decades as an an educator, activist, and speaker on Africa, foreign policy, and racism. Prexy’s work includes extensive consulting and training on race, multiculturalism and diversity. A teacher and lecturer for many years throughout the Chicago area, Prexy currently teaches African History at Columbia College in Chicago. He previously worked as a social worker, special assistant to Chicago’s Mayor, the late Harold Washington, and a senior program officer with the MacArthur Foundation in Chicago. Over the course of his career, Prexy has made more than ninety trips to Africa, including trips taken in secret to apartheid torn South Africa. He has worked to end colonialism in Mozambique, Zimbabwe (former Rhodesia) and Namibia (former Southwest Africa). Prexy has lectured both in the United States and abroad, and has written extensively, publishing a book and articles in more than twenty-five international journals. He also served as a co-writer on the BBC production of The People’s Century program “Skin Deep,” about racism in the United States and South Africa.
Kerry Sheehan
Kerry Sheehan is the President of Training Centers and Education Programs for the Second City. She is an arts-based education veteran with more than sixteen years experience in all aspects of management and program development. Prior to Second City , Kerry was the Director of Educational Programs for the Old Town School of Folk Music where she played an instrumental role in the school’s growth. She directed all of the school’s education programs and education outreach activities, and managed the school’s 250-person faculty, the education management staff, and the activities of more than 6500 students. Prior to the Old Town School of Folk Music, Kerry worked at WTTW/Channel 11 as the Associate Producer/Talent Coordinator for Center Stage, and served as the Educational Advisor for the children’s television program Jack’s Big Music Show (currently airing on Nickelodeon). She currently serves on the board of directors for the Illinois Theatre Association representing the professional theater division. Kerry is also a recording artist and performer in piano and accordion, and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Theory and Composition from the University of Kansas in Lawrence.
Lisa Silverman
Lisa is a Managing Director at Kroll Associates, a corporate investigative firm. She has extensive experience working with a diverse client constituency to develop effective solutions for a wide range of issues. She has worked in for-profit and non-profit environments and has extensive experience working with and volunteering for organizations that support youth and youth advocacy. Lisa also serves on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health. One of Lisa’s children has participated in CircEsteem’s programs since 2009 and is currently requesting silks and a trapeze be installed in her room.
Cat Tager
Cat Tager joined the CircEsteem Board of Directors in 2012. She is an arts administrator, musician and educator with hands-on experience in program development, management training and marketing strategy. Most recently she was the Marketing Director for the Old Town School of Folk Music where she oversaw the School’s rebranding in 2011 and focused the School’s marketing efforts for the expansion of its Lincoln Square campus in 2012. Cat is also an accomplished musician and teaches guitar at the Old Town School.