Who We Are
Staff
President
Cynthia A. Prost, President
314.289.4001
email Cindy
President of the Arts and Education Council since June 2008. Cynthia has held senior management positions leading arts and culture nonprofit organizations for over 15 years. Prior positions include Executive Director of Cultural Festivals, a nonprofit arts organization that specializes in presenting unique community festivals and special events, including the nationally ranked Saint Louis Art Fair and the award winning St. Louis Jazz & Heritage Festival as well as the Big Read, a book festival, created under her leadership. Previous positions include serving as Director of Marketing for KSD-AM&FM, Sports Marketing and as Director of Special Events, City of St. Louis.
Cynthia received her Bachelor’s degree in communication magna cum laude and her Masters degree in management from Fontbonne University in St. Louis.
She is a recipient of a Grand Center Visionary Arts Award in 2007 as the Outstanding Arts Professional and the YWCA Leadership Award in 2006 for Non-Profit Management. She serves on the Private Sector Council of the Americans for the Arts, is a member of the St. Louis Forum and a graduate of the Focus St. Louis Leadership Program. Additionally she serves on the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Community Advisory Board, Clear Channel Communications Community Board, is a former Commissioner of the St. Louis Zoological Park, Tax Incremental Financing Commission for the City of St. Louis.
Development
Terri Leyton, Director of Development
314.289.4003
email Terri
Terri is responsible for all aspects of fundraising including corporate, foundation, and individual giving, major gifts and gift planning. Prior to joining the Council, Terri served in a variety of development positions at Washington University in St. Louis and worked for numerous nonprofit organizations in St. Louis, New York and Washington, D.C. Terri holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Washington University and serves on the board of the Crown Center for Senior Living. Terri and her husband Steve have two daughters, Mollie and Emma. Terri likes to keep art happening in her home with entertaining, gardening, knitting and cooking projects.
Lisa L. Masters, Associate Director of Development
314.289.4002
email Lisa
Lisa interacts with businesses and individuals in our region to raise funds for our annual campaign. Lisa has been with the Council for nearly two years and has more than 12 years experience in fundraising. Lisa and her husband, Paul, have three sons; Colton, Brett, and Andrew and a pet fish, “Dude.” Art is a major part of the Masters’ lives as Brett is a drummer, Andrew is a writer, and Colton is an artist. Among Lisa’s hobbies are playing the piano, reading, and watching any sports or performances involving her children. Lisa volunteers as the marketing representative, fundraiser, and recruiter for her children’s school.
Dorothy Powell, Development Manager
314.289.4008
email Dorothy
Dorothy manages the education and government divisions of development, and she holds over thirty years of experience in the education division. Dorothy and her husband Tommie have two sons and two daughters; Steven, Tommie Jr., Tammie and Wonder. Dorothy is especially fond of her grandchildren (7 boys, 3 girls) who call her “Darling.” Her favorite classical songs are Rhapsody in Blue, The Hallelujah Chorus and Moonlight Sonata.
Kathy Lee Bradley, Development Manager
314.289.4012
email Kathy
Kathy joined the Arts and Education Council in July of 2011 and works with local businesses to coordinate workplace giving campaigns. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography and electronic imaging from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and a Masters degree in Arts Administration from Boston University. She is a former president of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Alumni Association and volunteers her time as a regional alum. Passionate about visual arts, Kathy has worked in development for organizations such as the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston and the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. In their spare time, Kathy and her husband Tom enjoy attending concerts, sporting events, and spending time with their black lab Shadow.
Patricia Tichacek, Director of Development Administration
314.289.4006
email Pat
Pat has been with the Arts and Education Council since 1972. During her career at the Arts and Education Council, her duties have included raising funds, grant writing, direct mail, organizing workplace giving campaigns, publications, database management, special events, volunteer coordinator, liaison to arts organizations for various projects, and working with the board of directors on assigned programs among other responsibilities. Pat and her husband, Dave, have four daughters and several pets. She enjoys gardening, music, movies, theatre and travel.
Maria I. Straub, Development Coordinator
314.289.4005
email Maria
Maria processes gifts and memberships and helps coordinate the needs of the Development Department. She has been with the Council since November 2009. With 15 years of dance training and as a working professional Stage Manager and Production Manager, Maria is fully immersed in performing arts. Every year she serves as Festival Manager for Seven/24, a local 24-hour play festival.
Operations/Grants
Susan Rowe Jennings, Vice President, Administration and Grants
314.289.4004
email Susan
Susan Rowe Jennings, Vice President, Administration and Grants, manages the administration for the Council, the Centene Center for Arts and Education and the grant application and allocation process. Susan has been with the Council for nine years and has worked in the arts for over 20 years including managing the AXA/ Equitable Gallery in New York City and working in the Curatorial and Development Departments of the Saint Louis Art Museum. Susan and her husband Michael have two daughters; Alex and Franny. In her free time, Susan enjoys reading, dancing and music.
Joe Soer, Controller
email Joe
Marketing and Communications
Brent Bradley, Director of Marketing and Communications
314.289.4133
email Brent
Brent manages online marketing, donor and grantee communications, and assists with special events in concert with the Development team. Brent recently finished his M.A. in Marketing at Webster University and brings a passion for the arts from his B.A. in Art History. His professional background most recently includes marketing roles with the Dr. Scholl's and Famous Footwear brands at Brown Shoe Company in Clayton as well as work with the Arts Council of Indianapolis. In his spare time, Brent can be found gardening, running in the park, or traveling.
Christine Blonn, Marketing and Events Coordinator
314.289.4016
email Christine
Christine manages donor marketing, social media, and special events. She has a M.A. in Communications from Marquette University, where she won an award for best student paper. She recently returned to her home town of St. Louis after spending five years in Chicago where she most recently worked at the primary local Public Broadcasting Station, WTTW. When she’s not working, you can find her reading, watching Cary Grant movies, biking, or shoe shopping.
Brianne Moylan, Marketing and Communications Assistant
314.289.4009
email Brianne
Brianne assists in the online marketing and the marketing for the annual campaign. She is currently completing her senior year at Saint Louis University with degrees in International Business and Marketing. When not in class or working, Brianne can be found training for her next big race in Forest Park or re-watching every episode of Parks and Recreation. As a native of Iowa, Brianne loves watching the Hawkeyes and pretending she understands football.
Mike Ziegler, Social Media Intern
314.289.4000
email Mike
Mike manages avenues of social media interaction as A&E's Social Media Intern. He is studying marketing and photojournalism at St. Louis Community College—Meramec and also serves as photo editor for their student newspaper. Combining his passion for the visual arts and storytelling skills along with his social media expertise, he helps to educate others and further A&E's mission. When not nose deep in his iPhone reading Facebook or Twitter, Mike can be found drinking coffee, writing, reading and enjoying the many neighborhoods of St. Louis.
Ellen Futterman, Communications Content Editor
email Ellen
Ellen has been communications content editor since January of 2009. In that capacity, Ellen writes and edits the Council's Happenings newsletter as well as oversees many of its other publications. In addition to her work at the Council, Ellen is editor of the St. Louis Jewish Light, where she is responsible for editorial operations, including managing both staff members and freelancers. Under her editorship, the Light has won six Rockower Awards, which are the highest awards given for Jewish journalism.