Board of Directors

Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center is proud to have a diverse and energetic Board of Directors to contribute to the success of our organization and play a very important role in the leadership of Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center. The board composition blends skill sets, expertise, community connections, and diverse perspectives.

President: Keith Rouse

Prospecting & Strategy Analyst, MSU Business Connect

Keith first became involved with the Gallery back in 2014 and has served as Board President since 2019. Prior to becoming Board President Keith has held roles with the Lansing State Journal as well as acting as Chair of the Marketing Committee for our organization. Keith is a strong believer in art for art’s sake and the uplifting and thought-provoking power of the Arts. He is deeply involved in our efforts toward a more prominent and accessible location in Lansing while continuing to expand and deepen our relationship with the City of Lansing.

Vice President Becky Ten Brink

Becky’s passion for the arts developed, in part by growing up in a family of creatives. She received a Bachelors in Fine Art from Calvin College and a Masters in Museum Studies from John Hopkins University. Currently working at Michigan State University, Becky has enjoyed attending Lansing area arts and culture events over the past few years and is looking forward to becoming more involved with arts advocacy in the Greater Capital Region. Becky joined our Board of Directors in 2020 and envisions our organization as a highly valued arts collaborator in the Capital Region.

Secretary: Mickey Hadick

Webmaster and Content Strategist at Accident Fund Holding Inc.

Mickey believes that Art is a fundamental part of being human and has the power to inform, heal, and entertain us all at the same time. He has served as a member of our board since 2017 and assumed the role of Board Secretary in 2019. As a member of the downtown community, Mickey enjoys attending cultural events in Lansing. He is excited for Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center to become a destination for more “Lanstronauts.” Mickey’s artistry is evident as a novelist and satirist in his free time. His work can be found at www.mickeyhadick.com.

Treasurer: VACANT

Board of Directors At-Large

Rachel Beatty
Marketing Manager, Hyacinth House Greenery

Rachel’s passion for art started at an early age, and in 2011 she was one of three seniors at Holt High School to start an independent study of Fine Art and receive an AP credit- in addition, her Art was selected to be in the Student Art Exhibit at the Lansing Art Gallery. She then received a degree in Public Relations and Advertising and Studio Art at Grand Valley State University. While attending GVSU, Rachel was involved with GrandPR (a student-run PR firm) and PRSSA and assisted in the promotions of ArtPrize in Grand Rapids. After recently moving back to Lansing, Rachel looks forward to giving back to the Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center by expressing enthusiasm as an advocate for art education.

Ryan Ranspach
Registered Representative of Sigma Financial
Ryan found a passion for the arts as a teenager exploring the galleries, record shops, and cafes of Ann Arbor. He has been a resident of the Lansing area for over 20 years and is a Registered Representative of Sigma Financial, having worked in finance since 2008. He believes strongly that art can play a pivotal role in the creative development of children and the mental health benefits it can provide people of all ages. This is his first board position but he is active in the community as a basketball coach first at St. Gerard and now at Lansing Catholic High School. In his free time, Ryan enjoys painting, tennis, golf, and competing in ultra-running events.

Danielle Deneau
Communications Manager, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union

Danielle believes art has the power to open our eyes to new perspectives and experiences.  Danielle is a leader in and around the community, serving on multiple boards, including the Central Michigan Public Relations Society of America, Marketing Association of Credit Unions, and NextGen@Wharton, a Wharton Center program for the Performing Arts.  In addition to her service, Danielle is passionate about Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center’s mission and the opportunity it offers to Michigan artists to showcase their work right here in our state's capital.

Chelsea Roberts

Chelsea Roberts is a writer, artist, and information designer from Lansing, MI. She works professionally as a marketing strategist and occasionally publishes arts and culture news in the Lansing City Pulse. Her background in nonprofit fundraising has prepared her to serve on the board and advance the mission of the gallery.

Kim Long
Exhibits Coordinator, Kalamazoo Nature Center

Kim’s expertise as an arts administrator enhances our Board of Directors greatly. Living in Kalamazoo, she is deeply involved in arts and cultural activities in Southwest Michigan and brings diversity in geography to our Board. Her involvement dates back to 2012. She previously served in varied roles, from intern to staff. She enthusiastically supported our 50th-anniversary exhibition during her tenure at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Kim now serves on our Board’s Marketing Committee and is excited to serve the Gallery in this new capacity. Kim believes that Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center has built a strong foundation and looks forward to an even more robust slate of programs and resources to benefit Michigan artists and our community as a whole.

Brian Whitfield
Graphic Designer, State of Michigan; Professional Artist

Brian joined our board to become more deeply involved in the local art community. His professional relationship with the Gallery dates back to his college thesis exhibition in 1985. Since then, Brian has exhibited in numerous solo shows and served as a juror for public art projects, student exhibitions, and more. He believes in the Gallery as a permanent facility and envisions our future as the premiere arts and cultural center for the region. As a community member Brian is a steward in his church and has served on the Board of Directors with the Uplift Our Youth Foundation since 2005. Noteworthy accomplishments: he designed the Ingham county flag and the Michigan Mackinaw Bridge license plate.

Laurie Lonsdorf
Senior Business Consultant, Michigan Small Business Development Center

Laurie’s passion for the arts in our community is evidenced in myriad ways, including through event attendance and volunteering at arts-related activities like Lansing JazzFest and Michigan BluesFest. Originally a patron and art collector, Laurie joined our Board of Directors 2017 and currently serves as Marketing Committee Chair. One of the things Laurie enjoys most about Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center is the quality of exhibitions presented, believing them to rival those of any major city. She is invested in our process working toward truly reflecting the demographic makeup of the Greater Lansing community in our stakeholders.

Emily Wisniewski
Attorney | Foster Swift Collins & Smith
Emily’s interest in the arts was cultivated by a family who was passionate about music, theatre, and visual arts.  Emily is a recent addition to the Board and joined with the goal of spreading love and awareness of the arts to the greater Lansing community.   Emily is an attorney at Foster Swift Collins & Smith where she practices business and tax law and specializes in intellectual property law.  Emily is involved with the Junior League of Lansing and serves on the Social and Political Action Committee.  When not attending events in Lansing, Emily is an avid art collector and a patron of both local and international artists.

Advisory Board

Patricia Cook

retired City of Lansing EDC

Mary Cusack

Dean - Fine Arts Division, Mott College

James Davis

Artist

James Duby, Jr.

Attorney, Duby & Associates

Gregg Hunt

Owner, Designers Choice Landscaping

Kevin McKinney

McKinney & Associates

Gary McRay

Attorney, Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith

Dan Warmels

CPA, Warmels & Comstock

William Valevich

Vice President, Comerica Bank