Incoming Board Members for the 2023-24 Season, including both new and returning faces.
Nashville, Tennessee - (October 10, 2023), Nashville Ballet is pleased to announce the appointment of Adolpho Birch III as the newest Nashville Ballet Board Member and the return of Laurie Eskind, James “Jim” Munro, and Heather Thorne as they rejoin the Nashville Ballet Board of Directors for the 2023- 2024 term effective immediately.
“This is an exciting moment for us as we welcome new and returning Board members to Nashville Ballet,” said Susan Short Jones, Nashville Ballet Board President. “Our Board members are dedicated supporters and long-time advocates of Nashville Ballet. We are honored to have such passionate and dedicated individuals on our team, who share our vision for the future.”
“Each of our returning Board members has played an integral role in championing Nashville Ballet, propelling us to where we are today,” states Nick Mullikin, Nashville Ballet Artistic Director and CEO. “Their contributions to the evolution of our organization have helped to enrich art and culture here in Nashville and throughout Middle Tennessee. We are thrilled to welcome Adolpho Birch as a new Board Member. His love for the arts and community engagement makes him a valuable addition to our Board of Directors. In my first season as Artistic Director, I am honored to work with these community leaders as we continue to fulfill our mission.”
About the newest appointments to the Nashville Ballet Board of Directors:
Adolpho Birch III currently holds the position of Chief External and League Affairs Officer for the Tennessee Titans and is in his fourth year of leadership. He is responsible for the legal and league affairs, government relations, DEI initiatives, community impact, and the Titans Foundation. Leveraging his 23- year tenure as a senior-level NFL advisor, he has redefined the Titans Foundation’s vision and expanded the team’s Community Impact footprint. Additionally, Mr. Birch has worked closely with city and state officials to aid in developing significant civic projects, such as Nashville’s new stadium and the city’s East Bank, while leading stakeholder engagement efforts across Tennessee.
Mr. Birch serves on several professional and philanthropic governing boards, including the Vanderbilt University Board of Trust, Sports Lawyers Association, Partnership Tennessee, and the Business of Sports School in New York. In 2021, he was elected to the Board of Directors for Ingram Industries and named director and committee chair for the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority.
In 2021 and 2022, Mr. Birch was also named Best of the Bar honoree by the Nashville Business Journal. He was appointed to the Tennessee Access to Justice Commission in 2022. Mr. Birch is a Nashville native and graduate of Father Ryan High School. He holds degrees from Harvard University and Vanderbilt University School of Law.
Laurie Eskind’s philanthropic leadership in Nashville spans over three decades, emphasizing supporting the arts and social services. Since 1998, she has immersed herself in the affairs of Nashville Ballet and has a long history of support. Mrs. Eskind served as President of the Board from 2007-2009 and has actively supported Nashville Ballet for over 20 years. Throughout her extensive leadership tenure, Mrs. Eskind chaired the 2005 Ballet Ball and served on various committees, including the Nominating Committee. She also co-chaired the ELEVATE Campaign, which raised $5.2 million to renovate and expand The Martin Center for Nashville Ballet into the state-of-the-art facility that it is today.
James “Jim” Munro is an avid supporter of the arts in Nashville, and he has played a vital role in supporting the mission of Nashville Ballet as an exceptional leader for over a decade. Mr. Munro originally joined the Board of Directors in 2013. He served on various committees, including Finance, Strategic Planning, and Nashville Ballet’s Foundation Board, and chaired the Facilities Committee. Mr. Munro currently serves as Nashville Ballet Board of Directors President-Elect.
Heather Thorne has been a pivotal figure in Nashville Ballet’s leadership for over 24 years and has played an integral role in developing relationships that support the company’s mission. During her tenure with the organization, Mrs. Thorne served as President of Friends of Nashville Ballet from 2002-2005, Nashville Ballet Board President from 2011-2014, and co-chaired the ELEVATE Campaign and Strategic Planning Committees. Mrs. Thorne is currently a performance photographer for Nashville Ballet, where she has contributed her talents since 2002. Her unwavering commitment to the company is instrumental to the success of Nashville Ballet.