INDIANAPOLIS – At its recent annual meeting, the Indiana Symphony Society elected several new members to its Board of Directors. Board members actively serve as goodwill ambassadors and significant contributors to the long-term success and sustainability of the orchestra. Directors have a passionate commitment to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, as indicated by their regular attendance at ISO events and activities, significant fundraising support, and personal financial contributions. A full term for a board member is three years.
The newest members include:
Matthew R. Gutwein
Matt is an experienced litigator and business executive working as a partner at DeLaney and DeLaney. Previously, he was President and CEO of the Health and Hospitals Corporation of Marion County for 18 years. He has also been an adjunct law professor at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Chief Counsel to the Governor of Indiana, and Special Counsel to Indiana’s Attorney General.
“I am honored to be a part of the ISO,” he says. “The ISO is an indispensable force for good in our community. The musicians of the ISO are among our city’s most creative and talented residents, and their positive impact, on and off the stage, is critical to our community’s cultural vibrancy. The ISO offers our community an astonishing range of music that can speak to all of our neighbors. Indianapolis is fortunate to have a world-class orchestra located in the very center of our city.”
In his spare time, Matt performs with ISO bassoonists Ivy Ringel, Mark Ortwein, and Mike Muszynski and ISO percussionist Craig Hetrick in the band Rock E Bassoon.
Nicholas Schellinger
Nick is a business development professional with Garmong Construction. He is a proud graduate of Butler University, the Indiana Leadership Forum, and the Stanley K Lacy Executive Leadership programs. As a lifelong central Indiana Hoosier, Nick believes that the cornerstone of any world-class city is a world-class arts community and has a passion for helping continue the excellent work the Symphony has done and continues to do for the community.
Justin Sufan
Justin is a Senior Director of the AES Corporation where he leads a team in market and new product development, focused on innovation and sustainability. He has been there for 18 years and serves on numerous nonprofit boards, including The Athenaeum Foundation and Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, previously earning recognition as one of the IBJ’s 40 Under 40.
“As a lifelong Indianapolis resident, my appreciation for the ISO has grown through years of attending its performances,” says Justin. “This engagement has deepened in recent years, driving a commitment to ensuring the Orchestra’s long-term viability and success. I am excited to join the board to contribute to securing the ISO’s lasting influence on Indianapolis and central Indiana.”
Tori Weyers
Indianapolis native Tori Weyers has been at OneAmerica Financial for 19 years, leading brand, marketing, events and design. Tori is a passionate supporter of the arts in Indianapolis and holds a BFA from the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Tori is excited to join the ISO board, where she will leverage her experience in brand and marketing to support continued engagement and connection of the ISO and the community.
Alexandra French
Alexandra was appointed to the board as the Chair of the Forte Leadership Committee. She is a partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP, where she has worked as a litigation attorney for businesses in the construction and agribusiness industries since 2015. She earned her B.A. from Purdue University and her J.D. from the University of Virginia. “I grew up in the greater Indianapolis area and have fond memories of attending ISO concerts at Hilbert Circle Theatre and the Prairie from age 5,” says Alexandra. “I’m joining the ISO board after several years of involvement on the Leadership Committee of Forte: Young Professionals for the ISO.
“I look forward to serving as a liaison between the ISO Board and Forte, advancing our shared goals of supporting the ISO and building a sustainable future through new audience growth and engagement with our community,” said French
Amy Kniffen
The ISO musicians elected Amy to serve as one of two musician members of the Board of Directors and is the Acting Associate Principal of the viola section. She joined the viola section of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in May of 1998 and has been an active part of the musical life of Indianapolis ever since. As a chamber musician, she has been a founding member of several quartets, first Quattra and then the Castleton String Quartet, both with ISO colleagues. Active in the recording studio, Amy also enjoyed appearing occasionally in the chamber series of Suzuki and Friends with former ISO concertmaster Hidetaro Suzuki; the Ronen Ensemble with David and Ingrid Bellman, and in the A Piacere series at the Music Room. Amy is an avid educator who offers private lessons in her home studio and has been on the faculty at Anderson and DePauw Universities and the Masterworks Festival. She regularly participates in the New Caritas Orchestra in Raleigh when it convenes for Duke Initiatives in Theology and the Arts.
About the Indiana Symphony Society
The Indiana Symphony Society Board of Directors is the governing body of the Society. The board’s fiduciary responsibilities include providing oversight and financial management of the organization through review, approval, and monitoring of the annual budget and audited financial reports of the Society. In addition, the board selects and evaluates the performance of the Society’s Chief Executive Officer. As a policy-making body, the board participates with Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra stakeholders in strategic and organizational planning, including defining the institutional mission of the ISO, which is currently “to inspire, entertain, educate, and challenge through innovative programs and symphonic music performed at the highest level.”
