Detroit Institute of Arts announces new Board Members Eleven new members bring variety of experience, expertise to DIA board

Updated Nov 19, 2020

November 19, 2020 (Detroit)—The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) announces the election of 11 new board members at its Board of Directors meeting on November 18. They are: Lane Coleman, executive at Strike Group LLC and member of the DIA auxiliary group, Friends of African and African American Art; Mary Culler, chief executive at Ford Motor Company; Nicole Eisenberg, philanthropist and current member of the DIA’s Collections Committee; Hassan Jaber, founder and CEO of the ACCESS and dedicated member of the Arab community; Nancy Mitchell, youth development expert and Macomb county board member; Marsha Philpot, Detroit artist, writer and cultural historian; Judith Pritchett, Macomb county educator and Macomb county resident; Christine Provost, philanthropist and long-time supporter and DIA volunteer; Paula Silver, VP of Corporate Communications for DTE Energy and dedicated member of the Detroit communications and marketing industry; Jason Tinsley, Michigan Market Manager for J.P. Morgan Chase Private Bank and former board member of several community organizations, as well as the DIA’s Founders Junior Council; and Rhonda D. Welburn, attorney, philanthropist and current member of the DIA’s Collections Committee.

“Our new board members bring a wealth of expertise and experience with them, and we appreciate their service,” said Eugene A. Gargaro, DIA board chair. “We welcome their diversity of perspectives, backgrounds and talents, helping us continue to ensure that our board reflects the communities and region which the DIA serves.” 

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Lane Coleman

Lane Coleman is a business executive and entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the Defense, Aerospace, Government, Industrial, and Petrochemical arena. Coleman and his wife, Leigh, collect African American art and recently gifted the museum a sculpture by Kevin Cole. Currently, Lane is a member of the DIA’s Friends of African and African American Art (FAAAA) auxiliary group

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Mary Culler

Mary Culler is the Chief of Staff of the Office of the Executive Chairman at Ford Motor Company, and Development Director for Ford's Corktown redevelopment. Mary reports to the Executive Chairman and has responsibility for advancing strategic priorities and shaping internal and external engagement for the Chairman in areas such as sustainability, smart mobility, autonomous driving, and corporate citizenship. Culler holds a bachelor's degree from Indiana University and a master's degree from Harvard University. She lives in Birmingham, Michigan, with her husband, Andy Norman, and their three children.

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Nicole Eisenberg

Nicole Eisenberg is a respected philanthropic leader in the Detroit community for the last 15 years, championing causes in arts, education, health care and community outreach. She has been honored in various local and national publications, most notably being named one of the "Detroiters of the Year," by Hour Magazine in their Philanthropy Issue, highlighting her significant time, resources, and creativity given to many worthwhile endeavors. Eisenberg is a current member of the Collections Committee, and has served as the Chair of the Development Committee and member of the Executive Committee.

Image removed.

Hassan Jaber

As President and Chief Executive Officer of ACCESS, Hassan Jaber has helped grow the organization from a small group of volunteers to one with over 100 programs at 11 locations today, which includes three national institutions, all serving communities of all backgrounds. Born in Lebanon, Jaber immigrated to the United States in 1977, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics and a Master's degree in Public Administration from Wayne State University in Detroit.

Image removed.

Nancy Mitchell

Nancy Mitchell is a youth development expert with 30+ years of experience in the public sector. She retired in 2020 after 36 years of service to the Department of the Army at both the Selfridge Air National Guard Base and Detroit Arsenal in Warren. Her previous board service includes the Macomb County Food Board of Directors, the Mount Clemens Library Board, the Mount Clemens School Board and the Anton Art Center Board of Trustees.

Image removed.

Marsha Philpot

Marsha Philpot was born in Detroit and grew up in Highland Park. A Detroit cultural icon, Philpot was the opening speaker for the July 2016 opening of the Detroit '67 project at the Detroit Historical Museum and was commissioned to create a poem for the Belle Isle Conservancy. In addition to her writing, she pursues a life of fiberworks, cultural events, and style.

Image removed.

Judith Pritchett

Judith P. Pritchett, Ph.D. was elected to the State Board of Education in 2018, and served as an educator and administrator for more than 25 years in public education, serving many communities in Macomb County. Throughout her tenure, has worked as a high school social studies teacher, principal, an Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Superintendent of schools. Prior to her retirement in 2017, she held the position of Chief Academic Officer for the Macomb Intermediate School District.

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Christine Provost

Christine Provost is a long-time supporter of the DIA. Since 2016, she has provided learner-centered tours to DIA visitors as an Interpretive Programs Volunteer (IPV). She is also a member of the Women's Committee, Visiting Committee for European and Decorative Arts (VCESDA), and the European Paintings Council (EPC). Provost served as Honorary Chairs for Fash Bash 2018 as well as the Gala Committee in 2015 and 2016. Christine is an active volunteer in Birmingham Public Schools and many charitable organizations locally and internationally.

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Paula Silver

Paula Silver is Vice President of Corporate Communications for DTE Energy. She earned a bachelor's degree in Communications from Wayne State University in Detroit, as well as several executive communications certificates from the University of Michigan. Silver is a board member of The Parade Company, Detroit Public Television (DPTV) and the American Heart Association. She also sits on Wayne State University's Board of Volunteers for the College of Fine, Performing and Communications Arts and is a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).

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Jason Tinsley

Jason Tinsley is the Michigan Market Manager for J.P. Morgan Chase Private Bank and former Founders Junior Council (FJC) Board member, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University. He has served on the boards of several community organizations including the Detroit Urban League, Detroit PAL. He is currently Vice Chairman for the JPMC Michigan Market Leadership Team, Global Chair Emeritus for the J.P. Morgan Chase business resource group B.O.L.D., Board Member for Beaumont Healthcare Foundation, Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation, and Detroit Children's Fund.

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Rhonda D. Welburn

Rhonda D. Welburn is an attorney at Dickinson Wright PLLC. She attended law school and graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1994. Rhonda Welburn was selected to “Super Lawyers for 2018–2019,” an exclusive list of top-rated attorneys in specific practice areas who were chosen after a thorough evaluation of numerous criteria. Welburn is a former DIA Board member, former Chair of the Governance & Nominating Committee, and a current member of the Collections Committee.

November 19, 2020 (Detroit)—The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) announces the election of 11 new board members at its Board of Directors meeting on November 18. They are: Lane Coleman, executive at Strike Group LLC and member of the DIA auxiliary group, Friends of African and African American Art; Mary Culler, chief executive at Ford Motor Company; Nicole Eisenberg, philanthropist and current member of the DIA’s Collections Committee; Hassan Jaber, founder and CEO of the ACCESS and dedicated member of the Arab community; Nancy Mitchell, youth development expert and Macomb county board member; Marsha Philpot, Detroit artist, writer and cultural historian; Judith Pritchett, Macomb county educator and Macomb county resident; Christine Provost, philanthropist and long-time supporter and DIA volunteer; Paula Silver, VP of Corporate Communications for DTE Energy and dedicated member of the Detroit communications and marketing industry; Jason Tinsley, Michigan Market Manager for J.P. Morgan Chase Private Bank and former board member of several community organizations, as well as the DIA’s Founders Junior Council; and Rhonda D. Welburn, attorney, philanthropist and current member of the DIA’s Collections Committee.

“Our new board members bring a wealth of expertise and experience with them, and we appreciate their service,” said Eugene A. Gargaro, DIA board chair. “We welcome their diversity of perspectives, backgrounds and talents, helping us continue to ensure that our board reflects the communities and region which the DIA serves.” 

Image removed.

Lane Coleman

Lane Coleman is a business executive and entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the Defense, Aerospace, Government, Industrial, and Petrochemical arena. Coleman and his wife, Leigh, collect African American art and recently gifted the museum a sculpture by Kevin Cole. Currently, Lane is a member of the DIA’s Friends of African and African American Art (FAAAA) auxiliary group

Image removed.

Mary Culler

Mary Culler is the Chief of Staff of the Office of the Executive Chairman at Ford Motor Company, and Development Director for Ford's Corktown redevelopment. Mary reports to the Executive Chairman and has responsibility for advancing strategic priorities and shaping internal and external engagement for the Chairman in areas such as sustainability, smart mobility, autonomous driving, and corporate citizenship. Culler holds a bachelor's degree from Indiana University and a master's degree from Harvard University. She lives in Birmingham, Michigan, with her husband, Andy Norman, and their three children.

Image removed.

Nicole Eisenberg

Nicole Eisenberg is a respected philanthropic leader in the Detroit community for the last 15 years, championing causes in arts, education, health care and community outreach. She has been honored in various local and national publications, most notably being named one of the "Detroiters of the Year," by Hour Magazine in their Philanthropy Issue, highlighting her significant time, resources, and creativity given to many worthwhile endeavors. Eisenberg is a current member of the Collections Committee, and has served as the Chair of the Development Committee and member of the Executive Committee.

Image removed.

Hassan Jaber

As President and Chief Executive Officer of ACCESS, Hassan Jaber has helped grow the organization from a small group of volunteers to one with over 100 programs at 11 locations today, which includes three national institutions, all serving communities of all backgrounds. Born in Lebanon, Jaber immigrated to the United States in 1977, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics and a Master's degree in Public Administration from Wayne State University in Detroit.

Image removed.

Nancy Mitchell

Nancy Mitchell is a youth development expert with 30+ years of experience in the public sector. She retired in 2020 after 36 years of service to the Department of the Army at both the Selfridge Air National Guard Base and Detroit Arsenal in Warren. Her previous board service includes the Macomb County Food Board of Directors, the Mount Clemens Library Board, the Mount Clemens School Board and the Anton Art Center Board of Trustees.

Image removed.

Marsha Philpot

Marsha Philpot was born in Detroit and grew up in Highland Park. A Detroit cultural icon, Philpot was the opening speaker for the July 2016 opening of the Detroit '67 project at the Detroit Historical Museum and was commissioned to create a poem for the Belle Isle Conservancy. In addition to her writing, she pursues a life of fiberworks, cultural events, and style.

Image removed.

Judith Pritchett

Judith P. Pritchett, Ph.D. was elected to the State Board of Education in 2018, and served as an educator and administrator for more than 25 years in public education, serving many communities in Macomb County. Throughout her tenure, has worked as a high school social studies teacher, principal, an Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Superintendent of schools. Prior to her retirement in 2017, she held the position of Chief Academic Officer for the Macomb Intermediate School District.

Image removed.

Christine Provost

Christine Provost is a long-time supporter of the DIA. Since 2016, she has provided learner-centered tours to DIA visitors as an Interpretive Programs Volunteer (IPV). She is also a member of the Women's Committee, Visiting Committee for European and Decorative Arts (VCESDA), and the European Paintings Council (EPC). Provost served as Honorary Chairs for Fash Bash 2018 as well as the Gala Committee in 2015 and 2016. Christine is an active volunteer in Birmingham Public Schools and many charitable organizations locally and internationally.

Image removed.

Paula Silver

Paula Silver is Vice President of Corporate Communications for DTE Energy. She earned a bachelor's degree in Communications from Wayne State University in Detroit, as well as several executive communications certificates from the University of Michigan. Silver is a board member of The Parade Company, Detroit Public Television (DPTV) and the American Heart Association. She also sits on Wayne State University's Board of Volunteers for the College of Fine, Performing and Communications Arts and is a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).

Image removed.

Jason Tinsley

Jason Tinsley is the Michigan Market Manager for J.P. Morgan Chase Private Bank and former Founders Junior Council (FJC) Board member, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University. He has served on the boards of several community organizations including the Detroit Urban League, Detroit PAL. He is currently Vice Chairman for the JPMC Michigan Market Leadership Team, Global Chair Emeritus for the J.P. Morgan Chase business resource group B.O.L.D., Board Member for Beaumont Healthcare Foundation, Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation, and Detroit Children's Fund.

Image removed.

Rhonda D. Welburn

Rhonda D. Welburn is an attorney at Dickinson Wright PLLC. She attended law school and graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1994. Rhonda Welburn was selected to “Super Lawyers for 2018–2019,” an exclusive list of top-rated attorneys in specific practice areas who were chosen after a thorough evaluation of numerous criteria. Welburn is a former DIA Board member, former Chair of the Governance & Nominating Committee, and a current member of the Collections Committee.