The Chandler Cultural Foundation has announced the addition of two new members to its managing board, Eric Piepenbrink and Kim McCarthy.

Appointed by Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke, both new board members bring professional expertise, community leadership and a passion for the arts to strengthen the Foundation’s mission to connect culture to the community, according to a news release.

Piepenbrink is vice president of student services for the University of Arizona Global Campus, a public online university affiliated with U of A. With 20 years in higher education, Piepenbrink is especially proud of supporting teams and helping students have a positive experience as they work toward achieving their goals, the release states.

Originally from Milwaukee, Piepenbrink discovered his love for theater in college, where he minored in the subject, “only because the school didn’t offer a major in theater.” That passion has stayed with him throughout his life.

Piepenbrink and his wife, Catherine, who works for the city of Chandler as an organizational program development coordinator, are raising their daughters, Lily and Ella, both students at Basha High School.

The family has strong ties to the Center. Lily served on the Chandler Center for the Arts Youth Advisory Council, and Eric and Catherine fondly remember attending an Amos Lee concert at the Center, which was particularly special since Lee had opened for Norah Jones on their very first date.

McCarthy has lived in Chandler for more than 10 years, where she resides with her husband, Parker, and their son Lenox, a student at Jacobson Elementary. Parker serves the community as a board member for Chandler Public Library.

McCarthy is the contract manager at United Behavioral Health-Optum, overseeing facility agreements in Arizona and New Mexico.

McCarthy, who’s an avid distance runner, earned her degree from Texas Woman’s University. She previously spent many years promoting the SilverSneakers fitness program for the Houston market.

Some of her favorite Chandler Center for the Arts events include Drumline LIVE, Ledisi, and Center Stage.

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