Arts And Education Council Welcomes Three New Board Members

The Arts and Education Council (A&E) announced today that the nonprofit organization's Board of Directors elected three new members at the April 19 meeting: Kendall Coyne, vice president of tax, Ameren; Brad Liebman, vice president, HOK; and Rodney Sanders, global talent & organizational capability lead, Monsanto.

"The Arts and Education Council is delighted to have Kendall, Brad and Rodney join our board of directors," said Cynthia A. Prost, A&E president and CEO. "Their expertise and passion for the arts will help guide us as we work to spread the ripple effect of the arts across the bi-state region."

"On behalf of A&E's Board of Directors, I am honored to welcome these three community leaders," said Brendan Johnson, A&E Board Chair and partner at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP. "They bring a wealth of knowledge in their respective fields and an understanding of how critical the arts are to shaping a more vibrant St. Louis region."

Liebman and Sanders were elected to three-year terms. Coyne was elected to fill the remainder of former board member Shawn Schukar's term, ending in 2021.

Kendall Coyne, Ameren VP of tax, has nearly 40 years of leadership experience. He currently serves as a board member at College Bound and recently concluded board service at United Way de Tocqueville. He is passionate about the relationship between the arts and education.

Brad Liebman, HOK vice president and relationship and project manager, has almost 20 years of experience in the architectural and design industry. A lover of art and music, Liebman spends much of his free time exploring new artists and seeing live music and theater. Liebman helped to lead the A&E workplace giving campaign at HOK for the past three years.

Rodney Sanders is currently VP of talent & organization capability at Monsanto where he leads teams focused on leadership development, learning and organizational effectiveness. Sanders also serves as an Advisory Council member for Kids Rock Cancer, Maryville University, which brings the healing power of music to children in St. Louis area pediatric cancer centers.

For more information about the Arts and Education Council and a complete board listing, visit KeepArtHappening.org.

About the Arts and Education Council: The Ripple Effect of the Arts. - The Arts and Education Council (A&E), is the St. Louis region's United Arts Fund providing financial, technical and educational support for arts organizations. A&E's mission is to build appreciation, participation and support for arts and arts education throughout the St. Louis community. A&E is the only privately funded arts umbrella organization that serves the 16-county, bi-state St. Louis region. A&E builds a thriving arts community and impacts millions of people through multi-faceted programs, including: Operating and Project Grants; Arts Education Grants for Teachers; Arts Incubation at the Centene Center for the Arts; a Catalyst Innovation Lab; a stARTup Competition for Arts Entrepreneurs; Katherine Dunham Fellowship; Art Education Fund; stARTup-StL Crowdfunding Platform; Arts Leadership Management Academy (ALMA); Executive Directors Roundtable; Arts Marketers Professional Development; the Annual St. Louis Arts Awards; and Young Friends of the Arts.

Since its inception in 1963, the Arts and Education Council has raised and distributed more than $100 million in private funding for the arts - a significant contribution that directly impacts the quality of life in our region. A&E meets all 20 Better Business Bureau Charity Standards and has earned the Wise Giving Seal of Approval, a three-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Guidestar Exchange Silver Participant rating.

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