Board Members

Joan has enjoyed a dynamic, globe-spanning career in luxury hospitality, sales, and strategic development. With more than three decades in senior sales and marketing roles, Joan has built a reputation for excellence in client relations, revenue growth, and leadership in the international travel and hospitality industries. Her professional journey began after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Sciences from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where she majored in Anthropology/Archaeology and minored in Art History. Joan’s early academic interest in culture and people naturally translated into a passion for global hospitality. Over the course of her career, she held executive roles with prestigious brands including Forte and Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts, where she worked across four continents and seven countries—from the U.S., Canada and England to Morocco, Jordan, Bahrain, and the UAE. As VP and Director of Global Sales for Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, based in New York, Joan led the North American sales initiative for the luxury hotel group, promoting properties in New York, London, and Dubai. She also served on the Luxury Travel Expo Advisory Board from 2006 through 2010. Later, she held key positions with Travel Leaders Franchise Group and Drury Hotels, where she continued to lead strategic growth and field team development. Now retired from corporate life, Joan remains active in both personal and community pursuits. She completed a two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training Program through the University of California-Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center and the Awareness Training Institute, and now volunteers her time teaching mindfulness to churches and community groups. A lifelong music enthusiast, Joan studied oboe performance at Webster College, played piano and clarinet, and sang in choral groups. Today, she is a devoted concertgoer and continues to nurture her love of classical music. She is also a student of French at Alliance Française de St. Louis and an avid traveler, having explored all seven continents and more than 70 countries.  

A longtime St. Louisan by way of Cleveland, Chuck Szweda has spent over three decades cultivating both landscapes and community through his work and personal passions. After graduating from DeSmet High School, Chuck earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Horticulture from St. Louis Community College, specializing in turf management and woody plants. While in school, he led the horticulture club and conducted independent studies on seed priming and fertilization of alkaline soils. He also redesigned the irrigation system for the college’s Bentgrass putting green, laying the foundation for a hands-on, expert-driven career. As founder and owner of Supreme Green, Inc., Chuck has provided comprehensive lawn care, irrigation, and plant management services for over 35 years. He’s been an active member of the Gateway Professional Horticulturist Association since 1993 and has built lasting professional relationships with internationally recognized leaders in turfgrass science. An avid plantsman, Chuck is known for his keen eye for the unusual. Among his prized discoveries is a unique purple-flowering Blackberry Lily, now known as Purple Passion and named by renowned horticulturist Michael Dirr. Beyond his business, Chuck devotes his time and talents to his community. At New Piasa Chautauqua, where his family maintains a summer cottage, he helped plan and construct the Veterans Memorial, earning a commemorative plaque for his efforts. He also serves on the community’s Arbor Committee and Grounds Beautification team. Chuck’s love for music began 43 years ago with a serendipitous encounter with Switched-On Bach on the radio, sparking a lifelong passion for classical music. After attending his first CMSSL concert 13 years ago, he was warmly welcomed into the Chamber Music family and has since introduced many guests to the organization. He brings a contagious enthusiasm as a Chamber ambassador, helping broaden awareness and appreciation for chamber music throughout the region. Chuck and his wife Molly have raised two sons, Austin and Cody, along with a beloved collection of shelties, collies, and cats.  

Matthew is a computational scientist and software developer with expertise in bioinformatics, scientific computing, and high-performance simulation. He currently serves as a Senior Scientist in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Washington University in St. Louis, where he leads and supports research in translational genomics, including the development of machine learning algorithms, bioinformatics pipelines, and high-throughput data analysis tools for cancer biology and immunotherapy research. Matthew brings over a decade of experience in software design, algorithm development, and scientific programming across both academic and commercial environments. Prior to joining Washington University, he operated Inkman Software Solutions, where he developed custom software applications for engineering and data management. His earlier research experience includes graduate work at California Institute of Technology’s Computational Flow Physics Group, where he performed large-scale fluid dynamics simulations using high-performance computing methods, and served as system administrator for the group’s HPC cluster. His technical skill set spans a wide array of programming languages and platforms as well as frameworks for machine learning, parallel computing (MPI), and scientific modeling. He has worked extensively in both Linux and Windows environments, and is highly proficient with tools such as Jupyter, Visual Studio, and RStudio. Matthew holds an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from California Institute of Technology and a B.S. summa cum laude in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University. His work has been featured in Nature, Cancer Discovery, Science Translational Medicine, and other leading journals. He is a named contributor on numerous high-impact publications involving genomic analysis, immuno-oncology, and advanced computational modeling.  

Neil brings a unique blend of financial expertise and artistic dedication to his work in support of the arts. A former music educator leading  middle and high school band programs across Missouri and Texas, Neil guided the Wildwood Middle School Band to be unanimously selected as the 2018 Missouri Middle School Honor Band. Passionate about the transformative power of music, he brings the dual perspective of an arts educator and financial strategist to every organization he serves. As a Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, Neil serves clients with thoughtful, strategic financial planning. In addition to his client work, he collaborates with the firm’s home office digital product owners to field test digital initiatives that enhance the client and branch team experience – merging innovation with service. Neil holds an undergraduate degree in Music Education with a minor in Trumpet Performance, and a graduate degree in Instructional Design and Technology with an emphasis in Distance Learning and Educational Psychology—both from Texas Tech University.  

Rik is an organizational psychologist, consultant, educator, and author who has spent over 25 years helping leaders and organizations grow through strategic insight, mentoring, and leadership development. As founder of Nemanick Leadership Consulting, Rik has partnered with Fortune 500 companies, professional firms, and nonprofits—including Anheuser-Busch, Nestlé Purina, Monsanto, Ameren, and Pfizer—to deliver tailored programs in executive coaching, organizational design, talent assessment, and succession planning. A specialist in developing mentoring cultures, Rik has created successful programs for a wide range of clients and is the author of The Mentor’s Way: Eight Rules for Bringing Out the Best in Others (Routledge, 2017). His work in mentoring and leadership has also been featured in the Harvard Business Review and other national publications. He is recognized for his ability to translate data and behavioral science into practical strategies that foster meaningful change and professional growth. In addition to his consulting work, Rik has served as an adjunct faculty member at Washington University’s Olin School of Business and Saint Louis University, teaching graduate courses in organizational behavior, talent analytics, and strategic management. He holds a PhD and MS in Organizational Psychology from Saint Louis University and dual bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Marketing from Drake University. Beyond his professional work, Rik has served on numerous nonprofit boards and civic commissions, including the St. Louis-Lambert International Airport Commission and the Board of Trustees at Chaminade College Preparatory School. Both Rik and and his wife Dawn live in St. Louis and generously contribute their talents and time to our community.  

John joined Chicago classical music radio station WFMT in 2025. Born in Alaska of Inuit heritage, John has been performing music since childhood. He studied composition and violin performance at Wichita State University in Kansas and went on to establish his radio career across the country, including at Nevada Public Radio, Texas Public Radio, KMFA in Austin, Classic 107.3 in St. Louis as General Manager, and WGUC in Cincinnati. He most recently served as host/producer at Classical Music Indy in Indianapolis, and as morning drive host on Sirius/XM satellite radio’s Symphony Hall. In 2005, he earned the Deems Taylor Award from ASCAP for radio broadcasting, citing his championship of living composers on “20/20 Hearing.” As a musical performer and administrator, John has served as the Artistic Director at Gretna Music (PA). Having performed with famed tenors Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli. John has worked with the Lafayette Symphony, Mozart Festival Texas, Mid Texas Symphony, Nevada Chamber Symphony, Shreveport Symphony, Abilene Philharmonic, and Wichita Symphony Orchestra. An avid chamber music lover, John founded the Las Vegas Chamber Music Society in 2004. He has also served on the boards of NonComm Music Alliance, The American Music Center (now New Music USA), the San Antonio Chamber Music Society, and Tippecanoe County Chamber Music Society.  

Born and raised in Massachusetts Sheldon has a deep love for classical music, poetry and fine arts. She is a graduate of Washington University and Eden Theological Seminary, with a focus on Systematic theology. She is an ordained minister with the United Church of Christ (UCC), having served congregations and middle judicatory ministries in Missouri and Illinois since 1974. Sheldon was honored by Eden Seminary with a Doctor of Divinity with the 2007 publication of her book Steeplejacking. She served on the UCC Office for Church Life and Leadership Directorate from 1987 to 1991, was Vice-President to the board and secretary for the Executive Director Search Committee and was an Illinois South Conference delegate to General Synod in 1985 and 1987. Sheldon has worked on the three-member Committee Process Team for numerous General Synods since 1991, served two terms on the UCC General Synod Nominating Committee, and two terms as the Convener for the Great Lakes Region. As Convener she sat on the Cabinet of the Council of Conference Ministers, served on the UCC Board of Directors 2013 – 2015 and was a Trustee with the Pension Boards UCC from 2010-2018. Now retired from service as a Pastor, Sheldon is a Diplomate with the Inter-Regional Society of Jungian Analysts, graduating from this North American training program in 1996 and is an active member of The Inter-Regional Society of Jungian Analysts (IRSJA) and The International Association of Analytical Psychology (IAAP). Sheldon resides in Columbia Illinois.

Carlos is retired Professor of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine and served as Chief of the Pulmonary and Critical Care Section at the St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center from 1984-2012. He cofounded the Clinic for Mycobacterial Diseases, at the Jacqueline Maritz Lung Center in the Center for Advanced Medicine at Washington University, specializing in the care of patients referred for management of tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial infections. Carlos served on the Committee for Admissions at the Medical School and work groups for the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop clinical practice guidelines for the management of patients with asthma. He received his A.B. from Harvard College and M.D. from Washington University School of Medicine. He completed residency training at the University of Minnesota, and military service at Walter Reed Army institute of Research, before returning to St. Louis to accept a faculty position at Washington University In the community, Carlos was a director of the Board of Education for the School District of University City, a member and President of the Board of the American Lung Association of Eastern Missouri and supporter of the Chamber Music Society of St. Louis, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and Opera Theatre of St. Louis. His musical interests are varied, enjoying both new works and traditional repertoire, with a special interest in young artists.

Tom is a pulmonary and sleep physician who has been in private practice working for Midwest Chest Consultants, PC in St. Charles, MO since 1987.  He currently practices outpatient pulmonary and sleep medicine.  He has also been involved in clinical trials developing new treatments primarily in COPD and asthma since 1987.  He has been medical director of the first sleep lab in St. Charles County since it opened in 1995.   In the past he has served as president of the Missouri Thoracic Society and as a board member of the National Association for Medical Direction of Respiratory Care.  He has also been listed as a Best Doctor by St. Louis Magazine. Tom has been a contributor to many St. Louis non-profits and is a board member of the Sheldon Arts Foundation and HEAL Center for the Arts.   He has an interest in all types of music from classical to jazz to rock and roll.   He also has been dedicated to music education especially in public schools and has supported several local programs in that area. Tom grew up on the plains of western Kansas in Hays, KS.  He attended the University of Kansas and received a BA in chemistry and biology and also received his MD degree.  Following medical school he did an internship and residency in Internal Medicine at KU followed by a fellowship in pulmonary medicine at St. Louis University.  He has been married to his wife, Cindy, since 1979 and they have 3 sons, Frank, Chris and Jack.  Tom and Cindy both love to travel both domestically and internationally and have been to all 50 states as well as many European countries.  Our favorite country is the United Kingdom and we have several friends there that we enjoy visiting and travelling around the UK and Europe.  

Miran is a prominent Fundraiser of the Arts and community volunteer. She has garnered widespread praise as a versatile singer of opera, symphony, chamber and recital music. Miran has performed at The Grand Center Gala, St. Louis Symphony fund raising concerts, UMSL concert series, the Art and Education Gala, and the Sheldon Classical Series. She performs regularly with Chamber Music Society of St. Louis as well as the Innsbrook Institute Summer Music Academy and Festival and the Booneville Missouri River Music Festival. After receiving a Music Performance and Science degree from University of Houston, she won a position in the Houston Grand Opera performing in more than 30 productions. Distinguished performance occasions have included a concert gala for former Missouri Governor Matt Blunt and additional appearances at recitals for international diplomats and politicians at the Missouri State Capitol. Miran was often featured in the KFUO Classical Radio Broadcasting Series “From The Garden Live” and at the 2005 St. Andrew’s Gala. A passionate advocate for musical education, she has participated as a performer in benefit concerts for the world-renowned Aspen Music Festival and helped spearhead a benefit celebrating the 30thanniversary of the highly acclaimed St. Louis Children’s Choir.