International Advisory Board
The Carolina Performing Arts International Advisory Board provides strategic guidance, serves as a brain trust, and generously supports our organization. This dedicated group of ambassadors unwaveringly shares their time, talents, ideas, expertise, industry acumen, networks, experiences and resources to advance CPA’s mission, vision and values.
22/23 Board Members
Sharon Rothwell
Board Chair and Chair, Nominating & Governance Committee
Chapel Hill, NC
Betsy Battle
New York, NY
Betsy Blackwell
Chapel Hill, NC
Jerri Bland
Durham, NC
Michelle Bolas
Chapel Hill, NC
Maribel Carrion
Chair, Engagement Committee
Chapel Hill, NC
Lisa Church
New York, NY
Brandon Cooke
Co-Chair, Marketing & Communications Committee
New York, NY
Susan Credle
Co-Chair, Marketing & Communications Committee
New York, NY
Jonah Garson
Chapel Hill, NC
Susan Gravely
Chapel Hill, NC
Bernadette Gray-Little
Chair, Finance Committee
Chapel Hill, NC
Renee Grisham
Chair, Campaign Committee
Charlottesville, VA
David Harmon
Seattle, WA
Sally Johnson
Raleigh, NC
Karol Mason
New York, NY
Stewart Parker
Chapel Hill, NC
Wyndham Robertson
Chapel Hill, NC
Sallie Shuping Russell
Chapel Hill, NC
Liz Simonton
Charlotte, NC
John Watson
Chapel Hill, NC
Ex-Officio Board Members
Chris Clemens
Chapel Hill, NC
Alison Friedman
Chapel Hill, NC
Kevin Guskiewicz
Chapel Hill, NC
Amy Hertel
Chapel Hill, NC





From left to right:
1. Board member Sallie Shuping Russell and husband Ed Spence at CPA’s 18/19 Season Preview at Memorial Hall, 2019 (credit: York Wilson)
2. Board member Bernadette Gray-Little and husband Shade Little at CURRENT ArtSpace + Studio, Chapel Hill, 2019 (credit: York Wilson)
3. (L to R) Board member Maribel Carrion and nephew John Moody; Board member Kathi Eason and husband Steve Eason at CURRENT ArtSpace + Studio Grand Opening Gala, Chapel Hill, 2018 (credit: York Wilson)
4. Alison Friedman, Executive and Artistic Director of CPA with Board member Renee Grisham and husband John Grisham at Whiskey & Words fundraising event, Chapel Hill, 2022 (credit: York Wilson)
5. Board members Betsy Blackwell and John Watson with Nederlands Dans Theater artists at their post-performance reception, Chapel Hill, 2018 (credit: York Wilson)