For the 2024 Fall cycle of the Think Explore Share grants, AWF has gathered a remarkable group of panelists, each bringing unique expertise and deep connections to Chicago's arts and culture landscape. These experienced practitioners, leaders, and advocates represent a diverse array of disciplines, from theater and dance to nonprofit management and cultural advocacy. Together, they will review and evaluate proposals, drawing on their rich experiences in fostering innovation, equity, and community impact within the arts sector.
Ebony Chuukwu is the Program Officer for the performing arts pillar at the Walder Foundation. She is committed to addressing and finding solutions to dismantle the racial and financial inequities within the Chicago artistic community. Through her work, she is responsible for developing strategies that help performing arts organizations build capacity to fulfill their programmatic needs to their communities and audiences. Ebony’s artistic focus includes theater performance through the lens of immersive and devised mediums. Ebony holds a bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Grinnell College and a master’s degree (with highest honors) in Nonprofit Management and Social Sector Leadership from the University of Chicago. She is also a Posse Scholar Alumna.
Amanda Delheimer's scholarly and artistic work circles around the intersections of story, psychology, biases, and the body. She was chosen for the inaugural art Equity Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Facilitator cohort, funded by the Mellon Foundation and hosted by the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in 2015, and has led anti-racism work both locally and nationally. As the Artistic Director of 2nd Story, she has created countless performances, and has also facilitated trainings, workshops, and experiences for partners on a local and national level. She was an inaugural recipient of the Leadership U: One-on-One Fellowship, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and administered by the Theatre Communications Group, which placed her in residence at Lookingglass Theatre Company from 2012-2015 as a Strategic Planning Consultant. Amanda is recognized multiple times as a leader in the Chicago Arts Community, most recently in New City’s Players 50 2024 List of Advocates and Changemakers.
Logan Jones is a Chicago-based artist, administrator, and consultant. Logan is the Director of Accounting at Northlight Theatre and a Lead Facilitator at Ensemble Consulting. In his artistic work as a stage manager and production manager, he has helmed multiple productions for About Face Theatre, American Theater Company, The House Theatre of Chicago, and others. Logan has been a proud member of Actors' Equity Association since 2016 and is currently a 2024 Executive MBA candidate at Valar Institute.
Pranita Nayar founded Mandala Arts in 2014, where she serves as Executive Artistic Director. A master teacher, choreographer, and producer, Pranita’s work is rooted in South Asian dance forms, and she is an exponent of Bharatanatyam in Chicago. Her work has been presented at Lincoln Center, The Smithsonian, Harris Theater, and many other venues worldwide. She is also a three-time MacArthur Award recipient for South Asian arts leadership and has taught at various institutions, including Harvard and Northwestern University.
Kristin Patton (she/they) is the Founder and Lead Facilitator of Ensemble Consulting, where she helps arts leaders and stakeholders realize their mission. Kristin specializes in strategic planning, board development, and leadership transitions. As a queer nonbinary arts worker, Kristin centers equity and inclusion in her practice and has served as a DEI Facilitator for the Nova Collective. Kristin holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BA in Foreign Languages from Lewis & Clark College.
Daryl Ritchie is currently completing their Master’s in Performing Arts Administration at Roosevelt University. Daryl is passionate about the arts' ability to build community and has earned certificates in Inclusive and Ethical Leadership, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace, and Financial Success for Nonprofits. Daryl has worked extensively with the Harriet Tubman Effect Institute and previously held positions at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre and The Den Theatre.