Leadership and Governance

A 21-person Board of Directors governs the Foundation. Included on the Board are the Chairs of the Friends groups' Advisory Boards. In addition, the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Overland Park and a representative of the City Council serve as Directors without vote. The remaining members are community leaders interested in furthering the mission of the Foundation and maintaining the outstanding quality of life in Overland Park.

2025 Board of Directors

President Holly Streeter-Schaefer Attorney, Burns & McDonnell
Vice President-Development Jennifer Gerlach Partner, Project Advocates
Vice President-Community Elaine Stolze Sr. Director, Development & Community Relations, The American Theatre Guild KC
Secretary Marga Spangler Vice President - Private Banker, UMB
Treasurer Jeffrey Byers Manager, Business Analysis, T-Mobile
Past President Phil Bressler Director, Client & Creative Services, Rhycom, Inc.
Chair, Friends of the Arboretum Todd Denmark Analyst, US Department of Homeland Security 
Chair, Friends of Overland Park Arts Laura Harsch Program Officer, Shawnee Mission Education Foundation
Chair, Friends of the Farmstead Heather Krecji Operations Director, Angel Capital Association
City Council Representative Chris Newlin Chair, Community Development Committee
Parks and Recreation Department Representative Jeremy Myers Assistant Director
Members at Large: Jocelyn Beckley Sr. Associate, Alumni Strategy and Engagement, KPMG
  Abigail Czinege Project Manager, Dynamic Logistix
  Bess Wallerstein Huff Arts Professional
  Eric Kratty Director of Operations, World Class Unlimited, Inc.
  Melissa Seiler Producer, HUB INTERNATIONAL
  Ken Selzer Retired Insurance Executive
  Clayton Smith Retired Executive Pastor and Foundation Director, Church of the Resurrection
  Fred Spears Principal, Leadership Systems
  Kimberly Wilkerson Vice President, Haas & Wilkerson Insurance

Foundation Staff

Vicki Lilly: Executive Director - vicki.lilly@artsandrec-op.org

Jennifer Cairns: Development Director - jennifer.cairns@artsandrec-op.org

Brit Waye: Community Engagement Manager - brit.waye@artsandrec-op.org

Stewardship

The Foundation accepts unrestricted, temporarily restricted and permanently restricted (endowment) gifts. For the purpose of leaving a legacy gift to the Foundation as part of a bequest or any estate-planning tool, the official name of the Foundation is The Arts & Recreation Foundation of Overland Park, Inc. The Foundation's EIN is 48-1171599. To discuss leaving a legacy gift, please contact us by email at info@artsandrec-op.org

  GIFT ACCEPTANCE POLICY     

2023 Tax Return - Public Inspection

2023 Financial Statements YE12.31.23 with Independent Auditors' Report

View governance documents including bylaws and policies.

2023 Board Orientation

Structure

Memberships and volunteer opportunities are available through the Foundation's Friends groups.

The Foundation Board of Directors is responsible for all major fundraising and provides oversight for the Friends groups' activities which include:

  • Membership Programs
  • Commemorative/Tribute Gifts Programs
  • Volunteer Programs
  • Special Events
  • Marketing, Promotions and Community Outreach
  • Exhibits, Projects and Educational Programming

The Foundation and the Friends groups work in concert with Parks and Recreation Department staff on all events, exhibits, projects, and programs. The Foundation also works with the City of Overland in determining the capital projects it will fund.