Blumenthal Arts Welcomes New Board Chair and New Board of Trustees Members
Jan 21, 2025 / Press Releases
(January 21, 2025) Charlotte, NC – Blumenthal Arts is pleased to announce the appointment of six new members of its Board of Trustees and new Board Chair, David Head. David succeeds John Giannuzzi, who served as Board Chair for two years. Onyeka Nchege, Abbe McCracken, Brad Bender, Jeanine Wilson, Paul Hennigan, and Angela Yochem were confirmed to the board on January 16, 2025 at Blumenthal’s Annual Meeting. The 2025 Executive Committee of the Board was also announced.
The board, composed of distinguished leaders and key stakeholders from a variety of industries and backgrounds, advocates for Blumenthal Arts’ mission to present the best in the arts and, in partnership with others, share and employ the arts as a major catalyst to strengthen education, build community cohesiveness, and advance economic growth.
“Blumenthal Arts has been very lucky over the years to attract some of the best minds in Charlotte to serve as Trustees,” said Blumenthal Arts President and CEO Tom Gabbard. “Each of them is deeply committed to helping us use Blumenthal’s extraordinary venues and programs to make our community stronger. We rely on them for strategic advice and insight into the needs of our region, as well as assistance in connecting with other leaders and organizations.”
2025 BOARD CHAIR DAVID HEAD
David Head is a professional services executive with more than 20 years of experience serving clients, leading teams to drive business results, advocating for diversity, and engaging in the community. As a leader in Grant Thornton's Charlotte office, he serves major clients in the region, helps to lead Charlotte community engagement activities, and serves as Executive Sponsor for Grant Thornton's DE&I Business Resource Groups. David joined Grant Thornton after a decade as an executive at Bank of America where he held multiple business unit executive roles. He served on the Charlotte Market President's leadership team and actively engaged in multiple leadership development programs. Prior to joining the bank, David began his career at Accenture where he was a process design consultant and later a recruiting leader. During his tenure at Accenture, he spent a year in Germany tripling the talent acquisition capacity, served multiple years instructing interview skills courses globally, and championed initiatives to develop diverse, inclusive and community-oriented leaders.
ONYEKA NCHEGE
Onyeka Nchege has nearly three decades of experience as a visionary leader in information technology and digital products and services, including CIO at prominent organizations such as Toyota Industries Commercial Finance, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Interstate Batteries, and The Cooper Institute. He is Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and Information Officer at Novant Health, overseeing the delivery of cutting-edge consumer capabilities, innovative technologies, and advanced clinical solutions that enhance patient care.
ABBE MCCRACKEN
Abbe McCracken is an award-winning business owner and photographer specializing in joyful family photography and high school senior portraits. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Child Photographers and is ranked among Charlotte's best family photographers and best portrait photographers.
Prior to launching Abbe McCracken Photography in 2012, Abbe served as Vice President of Tourism & Lifestyle at Edelman Public Relations in both Chicago and Atlanta.
BRAD BENDER
Brad Bender is the Interim Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Truist Financial Corporation, a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspiring and building better lives and communities. He is a member of the company’s Operating Council.
Bender has extensive banking experience spanning a variety of roles in both the commercial and consumer segments covering credit risk, portfolio risk management, model management, acquisition integrations, and vertically integrated operations for revenue producing businesses.
JEANINE WILSON
Jeanine Wilson is the Human Resources Executive supporting the Chief Administration Office (CAO) and the Data, Digital, and Global Marketing (DDGM) organizations at Bank of America. In this role, she provides strategic HR consultation and execution for nearly 4,000 employees who deliver company-wide expertise and support in a variety of disciplines including corporate and external communications, local market strategy, public policy, CSR, corporate security, enterprise services, digital capabilities, and marketing. She also serves as the HR partner for the Charlotte market.
PAUL HENNIGAN
Paul Hennigan is the President Emeritus of Point Park University. As President, Hennigan spearheaded a new vision and strategic plan which laid the foundation for Point Park’s strong and ongoing commitment to student success, academic excellence, community engagement, and managed growth. This commitment led to the creation of many innovative programs designed for student success, including doctoral programs, online degrees, and the Center for Student Success, among others.
ANGELA YOCHEM
Angela Yochem serves as Global Chief Information Officer at Krispy Kreme, one of the most beloved sweet treat brands in the world operating in nearly 40 countries. Yochem is an Independent Director with Zurich American Insurance Group and Zurich American Life Insurance Company, and a former Independent Director for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, Rocana, and three privately held transport and logistics services companies.
Prior to joining Krispy Kreme, Angela served as EVP, Chief Transformation and Digital Officer at Novant Health, an $8B integrated healthcare system, and COO/GM at their Novant Health Enterprises division, EVP and CIO at Rent-A-Center (RCII), a multi-billion dollar rent-to-own industry leader, CIO of BDP International, one of the largest privately-held logistics companies in the world, global CTO of pharma giant AstraZeneca (AZN), and divisional CIO at Dell Technologies (DELL).
More information about the Board of Trustees can be found at blumenthalarts.org/about/blumenthal-arts/leadership.
The slate of board members for 2025 is outlined below:
-  Board Chair: David Head
- Immediate Past Chair: John Giannuzzi
- Treasurer: Liz Sterling
- Secretary: Pat Rodgers
- Education Committee Chair: Abbe McCracken
- Facilities Committee Chair: Tom Eiselt
- Governance Committee Chair: Derek Raghavan
- Marketing & Community Relations Committee Chair: Marisa Thalberg
- Strategy & Innovation Committee Chair: Rasu Shrestha
- Talent Development & Retention Committee Chair: Tricia McDermott-Spikes
Blumenthal would like to extend heartfelt thanks to five committed and talented departing Trustees who served the organization for many years: Brian Cromwell, Jen Henry, Portia MacKinnon, Susanne McGuire, and Courtney Rogers.
For more information about Blumenthal Arts, visit blumenthalarts.org.
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ABOUT BLUMENTHAL ARTS
Blumenthal Arts serves the Carolinas as a leading cultural, entertainment and education not-for-profit. For more information, call (704) 372-1000 or visit BlumenthalArts.org. Blumenthal Arts receives support from the Infusion Fund and the City of Charlotte Arts Fund. Generous support is also provided by PNC Bank, sponsor of the PNC Broadway Lights series, and Equitable, sponsor of the Equitable Bravo Series.
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