Meet the 2024-2025 Partners Board Members

Partners Board Members are the leaders of the organization. They chair the various committees, work on strategic planning, serve as ambassadors to Playhouse Square, and much more. 

Zoƫ Ingram | Co-Chair

Number of years on the Partners Board: 3

Why did you join the Partners Board?
To help inspire and change lives through the performing arts 

Employer: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame | Director of Strategy and Inclusion

Ali Swift | Co-Chair

Number of years on the Partners Board: 5

Why did you join the Partners Board?
To join the Cleveland renaissance

Employer: FPC International | Corporate Counsel 

As a Cleveland native, Ali is passionate about the restoration of Playhouse Square and its pivotal role in rejuvenating our city. She has overcome a deep distaste for musicals to join the Partners board by focusing on the other aspects of the organization - the stellar programming from PSQ's resident theater companies, fabulous events from the Engagement and Encore committees, and the amazing people that make up the Partners membership. Ali moved back to Cleveland in 2015 after a brief stint in government relations in DC. She holds a J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and an MA (Hons) in History of Art from the University of St Andrews. She is a season ticket holder for both the Cleveland Playhouse season and the Broadway in Cleveland season.

Jeremiah Guappone | Vice Co-Chair

Number of years on the Partners Board: 5

Why did you join the Partners Board?
To get engaged with Playhouse Square, and take on a leadership role.

Employer: Data Genomix | Chief Strategy Officer & General Manager

Jeremiah is a strategic leader and digital marketing expert with over a decade of experience in data-driven communications and campaign strategy. As Chief Strategy Officer & General Manager at Data Genomix, he spearheads innovative marketing technology solutions that blend targeting, analytics, and paid media for high-impact public affairs and non-profit marketing initiatives. Known for delivering award-winning results, Jeremiah has led his team to earn numerous Gold Pollie Awards, with distinctions for ad tech innovation and data analytics. A recent graduate of the Executive MBA program at Cleveland State University, Jeremiah is committed to professional growth and thought leadership in digital strategy. Active in his community, Jeremiah serves on the Board of Zoning Appeals for South Euclid and is also a board member of Wilmington College. 

Maria O'Neill | Vice Co-Chair

Number of years on the Partners Board: 2

Why did you join the Partners Board?
To make a larger impact with other passionate individuals

Employer: KeyBank | Cybersecurity Governance Enablement

Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Maria has always been very passionate about this city, its culture and its people. With 10 years of experience working in STEM at KeyBank, she used to believe that the power of one’s city was held in its technological innovation. At the start, Playhouse Square Partners was her creative outlet and an opportunity to give back to Cleveland. However, she's grown to truly recognize Playhouse Square as not just a place to attend a fabulous show, but a cornerstone of our city. As she continues to grow her roots and family in Cleveland, she's so honored to be a part of Partners and continue to progress Playhouse Square’s vision to surprise and inspire the world.

Katie Kimble | Communications Co-Chair

Number of years on the Partners Board: 2

Why did you join the Partners Board?
To build relationships with others to strengthen the outreach of Playhouse Square into the community

Employer: Event Specialist and Small Business Owner

Stephen Osborn | Communications Co-Chair

Number of years on the Partners Board: 2

Why did you join the Partners Board?
To help find new ways for Partners to connect with each other and with Playhouse Square

Employer: Travelers | Software Engineer

Stephen enjoys dedicating his time to Partners because he believes that strong communities are built upon the foundation of education. By supporting Playhouse Square's arts education initiatives, we are strengthening the next generation. Outside of Partners, he enjoys organizing game nights with friends, attending live music performances, and playing with his puppy, Fergus.

John Durbin | Education Co-Chair

Number of years on the Partners Board: 5

Why did you join the Partners Board?
To interact with other young professionals while helping give back to the community

Employer: Stout | Director - Valuation Advisory

John is a Cleveland native that works for an international financial advisory organization and specializes in providing valuations for corporations and assets. In his current role in Partners, John serves as the Co-Chair of the Education Committee and aims to provide greater awareness and support for Playhouse Square's education initiatives. Outside of his professional life, John enjoys spending his free time with his wife and two-year old daughter.

Elizabeth Malloy | Education Co-Chair

Number of years on the Partners Board: 6

Why did you join the Partners Board?
To share enthusiasm and passion for arts education

Employer: Padua Franciscan High School | Educator

Elizabeth Malloy is an enthusiastic high school educator and the co-chair of our Education Committee. She is passionate about the arts, strong coffee, and connecting with other young professionals. Elizabeth’s favorite Playhouse Square initiative is Disney Musicals in Schools, especially the Student Share.

Josh Linerode | Education Committee

Number of years on the Partners Board: 2

Why did you join the Partners Board?
To help foster a welcoming and accepting environment in Partners and to bridge a stronger connection between Partners and Cleveland State University

Employer: Cleveland State University | Academic Advisor

Josh is an Academic Advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cleveland State University. He has been a member of Partners since 2022 and joined the Board in 2023. He has been a season ticket holder at Playhouse Square since 2018. While he loves attending performances, he also loves performing on stage with local community theatre. When he's not doing something theatre related or working, he can usually be found reading a book.

Marissa Alfano | Engagement Co-Chair

Number of years on the Partners Board: 2

Why did you join the Partners Board?
To meet passionate and creative people with a common goal

Employer: Jones Day | Attorney

Kristen Swinton | Engagement Co-Chair

Number of years on the Partners Board: 3

Why did you join the Partners Board?
To get more involved in Partners and give more of my time to Playhouse Square

Employer: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio | Database Manager

Kristen is a Cleveland/East side native, and has loved coming to Playhouse Square since she was a kid. She joined Partners because having season tickets wasn't enough and she wanted to get more involved. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, trying new restaurants, and seeing as many shows as possible (live music, theater, comedy, you name it!).

David Campobenedetto | Engagement Committee

Number of years on the Partners Board: 6

Why did you join the Partners Board?
To help Partners keep improving and growing.

Employer: Bright Line Counsel | Attorney

David is an attorney and life-long Clevelander. He has been a strong supporter for the arts since his youth and joined Partners to continue those efforts. His other interests are outdoor sports and hiking.

Alexis Fender | Engagement Committee

Number of years on the Partners Board: 3

Why did you join the Partners Board?
To be involved in planning fun events, like Jump Back Ball 

Employer: Motus | Customer Advocacy Specialist

Melissa Jeffries | Engagement Committee

Number of years on the Partners Board: 1

Why did you join the Partners Board?
To enhance my leadership skills and contribute to making Playhouse Square a great place to engage and enjoy theater

Employer: Cicerchi Development Company | Market Specialist

Melissa is so excited to be part of this year's Partners Board. Her goal is to contribute to making Partners a desirable and fun group for young professionals in the Cleveland area. She loves theatre and sees a variety of shows at Playhouse Square each year, her favorite being Hamilton. She can't wait to see what this year brings to Partners and to Playhouse Square as a whole.

Megan McNulty | Jump Back Ball Co-Chair

Number of years on the Partners Board: 3

Why did you join the Partners Board?
To plan fun events 

Employer: Medical Mutual of Ohio | Project Coordinator in Benefit Services

Megan joined Partners after she reignited her love of theatre when she became a season ticket holder for the Broadway Series. She did theatre in high school and always had a love for the arts. She wanted to get involved in Playhouse Square Partners because she truly loves the organization and what it does to keep the arts alive. No matter what is going on in her life, she always can escape for a a few hours and come out in a better mood when she leaves a show and that in itself makes all this volunteer work worthwhile.

Sarah Shaw | Jump Back Ball Co-Chair

Number of years on the Partners Board: 3

Why did you join the Partners Board?
To be involved in Playhouse Square in a meaningful way

Employer: Burton D. Morgan Foundation | Grants & Data Administrator

Joshua Berggrun | Jump Back Ball Committee

Number of years on the Partners Board: 1

Why did you join the Partners Board?
To enhance the Board’s leadership skills and deepen its involvement with Playhouse Square through planning social events and networking with Cleveland leaders

Employer: Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP | Real Estate Attorney

Liz Safier | Jump Back Ball Committee

Number of years on the Partners Board: 1

Why did you join the Partners Board?
To build leadership skills and contribute to Partners through her involvement with Jump Back Ball

Employer: Squire Patton Boggs | Associate

Alicia Trumbull | Jump Back Ball Committee

Number of years on the Partners Board: 1

Why did you join the Partners Board?
To be more involved with Partners

Employer: Risk International | Performance Manager

Alicia has been enthusiastic about the arts since her days in high school where she joined stage crew for 4 years. Partners was a perfect fit for her to continue her philanthropic efforts when she switched to a fully remote company. The friends and comraderie in this group is unmatched. We have so much fun and all for a good cause.

Tom Euerle | Partners Encore Society Chair

Number of years on the Partners Board: 5

Why did you join the Partners Board?
To take a more active role in building a younger generation of appreciation and interest in theatre

Employer: AmTrust Financial Services | Business Systems Analyst

Brandon Francis | Partners Encore Society Committee

Number of years on the Partners Board: 1

Why did you join the Partners Board?
To connect with a group of like-minded young professionals interested in advancing the performing arts in the local community

Employer: Cleveland Clinic | Physician

Brandon is a physician here in Cleveland. He lives with his wife, Madeline, and their cat, Jester, with a baby girl on the way. In his free time, he and his wife and love attending shows at Playhouse Square and enjoying the local parks.

Nikitha Sambamurthy | Partners Encore Society Committee

Number of years on the Partners Board: 1

Why did you join the Partners Board?
To get more involved with Partners in supporting our education programs, make friends, and have fun while contirubting to our art-loving community

Employer: John Wiley & Sons | Director

Nikitha is an at-large Partners board member. She is currently the Editorial Director of engineering content at John Wiley & Sons, and is excited to continue her passion for education by helping support arts education with Playhouse Square Partners!