United Performing Arts Fund Names 2019 Campaign Co-Chairs
All three Co-Chairs have a long history of community service and supporting UPAF.
“Jim, Sandy and Tim are pillars of the Greater Milwaukee area who lead by example,” said Deanna Tillisch, president & CEO of UPAF. “This dynamic team understands the connection between a robust arts and culture scene to a vibrant and engaged community. Their passion for the performing arts will have a critical impact on the success of the 2019 UPAF Campaign.”
The 2019 UPAF Campaign will run from Monday, March 4 through Wednesday, June 12, 2019. Last year’s UPAF Campaign raised $12,073,795 for 14 Member Groups.
About the Co-Chairs
Jim Barry has served as president and CEO of The Barry Company for more than 25 years, overseeing the commercial real estate sales force. In 2013, Barry was named REALTOR of the Year by the Commercial Association of Realtors of Wisconsin (CARW) and received the National Commercial Broker Award from the National Association of Realtors. The Milwaukee Business Journal has recognized Barry as one of the 100 Milwaukee business leaders “who get things done” and Milwaukee Magazine recently named Barry one of Milwaukee’s “Most Influential People.” Barry is involved with a number of local and national non-profit organizations. He serves on the board of the Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee and the Wisconsin Policy Forum. He is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Milwaukee and a Past Chairman of the Commercial Association of Realtors of Wisconsin and the American Red Cross of SE Wisconsin. He also serves as a member of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and the Milwaukee Riverwalk District. Barry received his law degree with honors from the University of Chicago Law School and his bachelor’s degree with honors from Georgetown University.
Sandy Botcher is vice president of field experience at Northwestern Mutual. In this role, she leads the enterprise-wide view that prioritizes, designs and delivers work to assist Northwestern Mutual advisors across their careers. Botcher joined Northwestern Mutual in 2001 and has held several leadership roles throughout her tenure, including vice president of campus and event experiences where she led the company’s downtown expansion project. Botcher serves on the COA Youth & Family Center’s Board of Directors, the United Way Women’s Leadership Council and works with the “We Got This” program. Botcher received her law degree with honors from the University of Minnesota Law School and her bachelor’s degree with honors from Winona State University.
Tim Stewart is an attorney and shareholder at the law firm of DeWitt Ross & Stevens. From the firm’s Brookfield office, he practices as an ERISA attorney, helping companies establish and maintain employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). Stewart has been involved with UPAF for several years, including Co-Chair of Next Generation UPAF, an Affinity Program for emerging leaders, and Chair of the UPAF Westside Cabinet, which focuses on growing UPAF’s presence in Waukesha County. He received both his law and bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
About UPAF
The United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF) has been setting the stage since 1967 by providing critical investment in our region’s vibrant performing arts scene. UPAF’s mission is to secure community resources, promote the performing arts as a regional asset and improve the quality of life through responsible investment in and financial support of the performing arts in Southeastern Wisconsin. In 2018 UPAF raised more than $12 million to support the area’s performing arts environment. UPAF proudly bears Charity Navigator’s highest distinction for nonprofits – a four-star rating – and is the No. 1 united arts fund in the country in terms of dollars raised.
As an umbrella organization, UPAF supports a breadth of performing arts groups that collectively offer something for everyone through its 14 Member Groups and numerous Affiliates. More than one million people are touched each year through performances, educational outreach, special events and community partnerships.
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