Chad Bauman
Chad Bauman is Executive Director of the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. Chad was appointed Milwaukee Rep’s Managing Director in 2013. Bauman has overseen a significant period of growth for a company that produces about 700 performances a year, making it “the city’s most prolific performing arts organization (Milwaukee Business Journal)” presenting seasons that can “rival anything in Chicago and beyond (Chicago Tribune).” During his tenure, Milwaukee Rep has eliminated all debt, nearly doubled the endowment, achieved operating surpluses annually, grew net assets from $19 million to $84 million, raised nearly $100 million across three successful capital campaigns, and has started construction on the new Associated Bank Theater Center. He is currently the Board President of the Milwaukee Arts Partners and a Board member of Pathways High School, ImagineMKE and AFS Milwaukee.

Jacob Janssen
Jacob Janssen is the Artistic Director of Third Avenue Playworks in Sturgeon Bay, WI. Previously he has held artistic and administrative positions at theatres in New York, Washington, DC, and Massachusetts. Originally from Kiel, WI, Jacob holds a BFA in acting from UW-Stevens Point and MFA in Directing from The Theatre School at DePaul University.

Barbara Lawton
Barbara Lawton, first woman elected Wisconsin Lt Governor, served from 2003-11. She chaired the Wisconsin Arts Board (2003-13), chaired the National Lieutenant Governors Association, and served on the National Leadership Council of the American Association of Colleges and Universities and the Advisory Board of Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government Public Diplomacy Collaborative. Since leaving public office, Lawton focused on campaign finance reform, serving as president and CEO of Americans for Campaign Reform and co-founding Issue One, launching their bipartisan ReFormers Caucus. Lawton serves on the Advisory Boards for Millennial Action Project and Oxfam America’s Sisters on the Planet, and as trustee to Lawrence University. She is honorary co-chair of Law Forward. A native of Green Bay, Lawton was a founder of the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation and the Green Bay Area Multicultural Center. Lawton holds a BA Summa Cum Laude from Lawrence, MA in Spanish from UW-Madison, and honorary doctorates from Lawrence University and the Milwaukee Institute for Art and Design.

Malkia Stampley
Malkia Stampley is an actor, director and arts leader from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is the BOLD Artistic Producer at Goodman Theatre since 2021. She co-founded the Milwaukee Black Theater Festival and Bronzeville Arts Ensemble in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Select Goodman producing credits: Toni Stone, The Cherry Orchard, Goodnight Oscar, Gem of the Ocean, Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci, Life After. Select directing credits: Primary Trust (Goodman); Nina Simone: Four Women (KC Rep & Milwaukee Rep); Exit Strategy (Northwestern University); The October Storm (Raven Theatre); Boulevard of Bold Dream (TimeLine Theatre); Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grille (Farmer’s Alley); The Gift of the Magi (American Players); Black Nativity (Black Arts MKE); STEW (Milwaukee Chamber, Shattered Globe); Nunsense (Milwaukee Rep); Five Guys Named Moe (Skylight Music). She is an Ensemble Member of Congo Square Theatre, named a BOLD Associate Artist in 2022 and alum of the LORT EDI Mentee program, Theatre Producers of Color and University of Chicago’s Civic Actor Studio. 

Jen Uphoff Gray 
Jen Uphoff Gray is the co-founder and artistic director of Forward Theater Company. As a freelance director she’s worked across southern Wisconsin, directed the National Tour of Copenhagen, and in 12 years working On- and Off-Broadway served as Associate Director for Copenhagen, Cabaret, The Blue Room, The Life, and Death-Defying Acts. Jen has a degree in Dramatic Literature & Stage History from Harvard. She led the creation of World Premiere Wisconsin, and in 2025 will be launching the new Wisconsin Directors Lab.