The Merit Associates

The Merit Associates are a group of young Chicago-area professionals committed to supporting Merit School of Music and its mission of providing high-quality music education to students in metropolitan Chicago. The Merit Associates strive to develop themselves as model philanthropic leaders and next-generation advocates for the musical arts. Their primary goal is to work together to develop new resources for and to increase public awareness of Merit's music education programs and services. The Associates play an integral role in the Merit School of Music community, volunteering their time and energy in support of the school's mission.

The Associates also sponsor an annual fundraising event, Alegre Carnaval, a masquerade ball that helps support Merit School of Music's music education programs and helps keep the cost of programming affordable for all Chicago families.

How to Join the Merit Associates

The Merit Associates are comprised of three different membership levels: Associate Board, Associate Circle and Associate Friends. The requirements of each level are detailed on the application.

If you would like to join the Merit Associates, please print, complete and return a membership application form to Merit School of Music. Please fax the form to 312.267.4489 or mail to:

    Associate Board Liaison
    Merit School of Music
    38 South Peoria Street
    Chicago, IL 60607

Prospective board members should be committed to Merit School of Music's mission and the board's objectives, and must have sufficient time to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.

Membership Recruitment Process

After the Merit School of Music has received an application, all potential members must meet with a member of the Board Development & Events Committee to discuss the responsibilities of being a Merit Associate. Membership is put to a vote during the next Executive Committee Meeting or Associate Board Meeting, whichever is scheduled first. New members will be notified in writing of their acceptance to the board.

Associate Board

Associate Board Chair
Peter Burkiewicz
University of Chicago Medical Center

Treasurer
Fernando Covas
Bridge Strategy Group LLC

Secretary
Michael A. Grill
Holland & Knight

Carnaval Chair
Emma Haugh
PepsiCo

By-Laws Chair
Timothy McCaffrey
Pircher, Nichols & Meeks

Board Relations Chair
Emiko Neithercut
Credit Suisse

Lori Bravi, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Macol Stewart Cerda, Civic Leader
Matt Foran, Zurich North America
Amy Gao, Huron Consulting Group
Jenny Guo*, Civic Leader
Elizabeth Kowalski, Russell Nowak & Company LLP
Jillian M. Krickl, Archdiocese of Chicago
Cathleen Marine, Aon Corporation
Jonathan H. Meadows, Kenway Consulting
Tara Nussbaum, MuniMae
John Oppenheimer, Rednofive & Hydrate
Roy Ousley*, MBA Candidate - Northwestern University
Ryan F. Perrone, Silverman Consulting
Dan Rest, HBK Engineering, LLC
Rachel Spitz, University of Chicago Medical Center
Alex Tobin, Francis W. Parker School
Matt Walters, Lindsay, Rappaport & Postel
Andrea Willson, USG Corporation
Marveen Winslow, USG Corporation
John Young, Acciona Energy

Associate Circle

Stacie Dennis, CIT Rail
Jennifer Lee-Olmstead, Civic Leader

Associate Friends

Jill Burkiewicz, Midwestern University
Katie Polansky Dealy, Teach for America
Erica Y. Guo*, Civic Leader
Andrea Hargrave*, USG Corporation
Dominique M. Hollins*, Google
Eric C. LaBat, Bank of America
Runa Mitra, Wal-Mart
Shivani Sharma, Health Resources & Services Administration
Amber Wattenbarger, Civic Leader

*Merit Alumni