Christine Brillhart, Chief Financial Officer and Director of Community Relations
Christine earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Michigan Technological University and a Master of Science degree in biology from Central Michigan University. She taught science in the Midland Public School system for 13 years as well as designed curriculum and provided professional development for educators. She created and coordinates a math mentoring program (S.M.A.R.T.) with over 50 volunteer community members for 5th and 6th grade students. Currently, she networks and develops partnerships with schools and other educational agencies to re-tool, create and expand existing programs, as well as assist with marketing, grant writing, scheduling and development of summer camps and after school programs.

Denyse Clayton, Director of Theatre Programming
Denyse is a graduate of Northwood University in Midland where she earned degrees in business, marketing and advertising. She has been teaching children's theatre classes for 10 years, primarily in Midland and Bay City. She has also directed dozens of shows at Midland Center for the Arts including Peanut Gallery, Theatre Guild and Music Society productions, as well as in many venues in the Detroit area. She is a past board member of Peanut Gallery, was the drama coach at Jefferson Middle School in Midland, and is currently the drama coach at St. Brigid Catholic School in Midland.

Darcy McMahon, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Education Strategy
Darcy has over 16 years of teaching and administration expertise in education. She earned a bachelor’s degree in science in education and a master’s degree in middle level education, both from Central Michigan University, and was an adjunct professor of education there for six years. As an entrepreneur, through TMB Consultants, she has developed and published curriculum and conducted professional development programs. She taught science and English at Jefferson Middle School in Midland for five years and served and chaired many committees for Midland Public Schools. Most recently, Darcy was the Director of Education and Volunteers at Midland Center for the Arts and continues to serve on the School of Distinction Committee at St. Brigid Catholic School.

Kristiina Pilnik, Chief Operations Officer and Director of Arts and Marketing
Kristiina earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism at Alcantara Machado University in Sao Paulo, Brazil, has travelled the world extensively and is fluent in six languages. She has designed and taught English language courses for children and adults; designed and coordinated after school arts programs; been a foreign correspondent for television; written as a freelance journalist for newspapers and magazines; and won awards as public relations account executive for Ogilvy & Mather in Brazil. In addition, Kristiina has been involved in children’s theatre in Midland for almost 10 years, co-directing Peanut Gallery productions at Midland Center for the Arts with Denyse Clayton and teaching children’s theatre classes and summer camps.

Richard Beck, Manager of Educational Initiatives, Research and Services
Rich has been professionally immersed in education for over 44 years. His experience and involvement in teaching and learning covers 31 years of classroom teaching, five years of Higher Education administration, and six years as a Public School Academy Director. He specializes in educational issues for secondary education, students who are at-risk, and those with special needs.  Developing and following his passion to improve the practices of his peers, he coordinated a grant-funded program at Saginaw Valley State University of over $9 million of Federal Title II support for College of Education course revisions, initiated a mentoring program for teacher leaders and administrators, launched an accelerated teaching certification, and directed needs-based professional development for 147 Michigan school districts.  Out of this project, his expertise was solicited to initiate a Public School Academy in Saginaw County, whose mission was to re-engage high school drop-outs. He served as Director of the Academy until June, 2011.  Rich’s formal education took place at Northwood (Institute) University (Assoc.), Adrian College (BA), Central Michigan University (MA) and SVSU (Educational Leadership Certification).  Recently, he has been certified by the Michigan Department of Education as a Leadership Coach through Michigan State University.