The end of a year always brings the completion of board and officer terms for members of the ACWL-Nuveen Board of Directors. This year, Holly VanderPlaats is completing her term as Board Chair, while Deb Harris and Laura Ritchie complete their 6-year commitment as board members. Luckily, Holly will remain on the Board and Laura and Deb will continue to be involved through their committee commitments. Thank you for all your time, energy and insight, Deb, Laura, and Holly!
Deb Harris
Deb has served as both treasurer and secretary of the Board throughout her tenure. As treasurer, she has been instrumental in ensuring the ACWL-Nuveen is growing a ‘rainy day fund’ to make sure we can weather any future financial storms. Luckily, she’ll continue to be active in the finance committee and we’ll still lean on her for educational programming and exhibition ideas, as she is also a retired art teacher
ACWL-Nuveen has been very lucky to have Deb as a board member and Chair of our Finance Committee. Having been treasurer of a local township, she possesses a unique breadth and depth of fiscal skills. She volunteered countless hours helping us to stay focused on a healthy bottom line. Her knowledge, easy laugh and warmth will be missed at our monthly board meetings!
– Holly VanderPlaats, ACWL-Nuveen Board Chair
Laura Ritchie
Laura serves on the Art Walk Committee and is currently very active as co-chair of our DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) committee. Laura has been vital in helping us evaluate our programming and fundraising through a DEI lens. She is also responsible for setting up classes in collaboration with HealthWest and their clients throughout the years.
Laura has been involved with the ACWL-Nuveen for many years and always brings a positive, open mindset to any scenario. Her can-do attitude toward problem-solving has been an incredible asset to the board and the committees on which she serves. She ensures the ACWL-Nuveen lives up to it’s mission of providing access to the arts for all people.
– Sue Wink, ACWL-Nuveen Assistant Director and co-member of DEI and Art Walk Committees
Holly VanderPlaats
Holly joined the board in 2022 and was quickly convinced to take on the role of Chair in 2024. Holly also serves on the Finance and Building the Future committees and is always willing to help out in the gallery or at ACWL-Nuveen events.
Holly has been extremely easy to work with and has approached her time as board chair in a very hands-on manner, which I appreciate! She has led us through our first year of a new strategic plan, my maternity leave, and important discussions about the future of the ACWL-Nuveen. I will miss her as Chair, but am glad she’ll still be an active member of our Board of Directors.
– Erin Peyer, ACWL-Nuveen Director
