Joe Girandola
Joe Girandola serves as President and CEO of Art Academy of Cincinnati. Not only does he lead the institution with seasoned higher education experience, but he is also a practicing artist and educator. Classically trained as a stone carver in Italy, Girandola now focuses on three-dimensional paintings using Duct Tape. Girandola’s leadership is committed to building a stronger creative community together in collaboration with the greater Cincinnati across the region to best prepare students for success within the global creative economy.
Emily Agricola Holtrop
Emily Agricola Holtrop serves as Art Academy of Cincinnati’s Board Chair and Chair of the Executive Committee. A longstanding arts and education advocate, she also oversees the Cincinnati Art Museum’s interpretive and educational initiatives. Agricola aims to increase community awareness of Art Academy of Cincinnati and the impactful work the school is doing, not only for the students, but also for the surrounding Over-the-Rhine neighborhood and the greater Cincinnati community.
Jenny Ustick
Jenny Ustick serves as Vice Chair of Academic Affairs and Professional Development Chair. A proud 2025 distinguished Alumna and prominent muralist throughout the region, Ustick’s career spans across the globe. She also works as a tenured Associate Professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning, and the School of Art.
Ian McManis
Ian McManis is the Senior Marketing Manager for Barnes Denning. His strategic approach and dedication to the arts community drive his Board participation. Ian serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees for the Art Academy of Cincinnati and has held numerous leadership and volunteer roles with ArtsWave and the Association for Accounting Marketing.
Jim Crosset
Jim Crosset serves as Treasurer for Art Academy of Cincinnati. With a strong background in business, Crosset also serves on the Board of Education for Cincinnati Public Schools, and the Ohio Board of the Nature Conservancy. His extensive experience and civic leadership greatly supports the institution’s financial stewardship and community impact.
Dan Fales
Dan Fales is an attorney at Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he practices in business representation, tax, and transactional law. He brings extensive experience as both an attorney and former CPA, advising public and private companies, family offices, and executives on complex planning, structuring, and wealth transfer matters.
Chip Gerhardt
Chip Gerhardt, the President and Founder of Government Strategies Group, spearheads initiatives in government affairs, economic development, and public policy advocacy. Beyond Art Academy of Cincinnati, he is a member of many civic and nonprofit boards, including Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, ArtsWave, People Working Cooperatively, Corporation for Findlay Market, and Ohio Access to Justice Foundation.
Richard Homan
Richard Homan retired as an Executive Vice President at Turner Construction Company. He was instrumental in large-scale commercial and infrastructure developments nationwide. During his tenure, he oversaw large-scale construction operations, including work throughout the Midwest and the Cincinnati region, and helped guide complex developments in education, healthcare, and civic infrastructure.
Gregory Olson
Greg Olson is Principal and CEO of Urban Sites, where he leads the development of urban infill projects across Cincinnati. His work focuses on revitalizing neighborhoods through mixed-use, residential, and commercial developments that strengthen urban communities. In addition to Art Academy of Cincinnati’s Board, Olson also serves on Level Up Cincinnati, Xavier Jesuit Academy, and Cincinnati and Hamilton Public Library.
William Parrish
Art Academy of Cincinnati’s 2022 distinguished Alumnus, William Parrish, is a multidisciplinary artist whose work centers on equity, creative expression, and neighborhood revitalization through the arts. Parrish is the Founder and Executive Director of the Eckstein Cultural Arts Center where he leads efforts to expand access to arts programming, cultural education, and community engagement in Cincinnati.
Tyra Patterson
Tyra Patterson is a prominent artist, activist, and exoneree who serves as the Community Outreach Strategist for the Ohio Justice & Policy Center. Patterson travels all over the country to speak at law schools, colleges, prisons, conferences, and high schools to leverage her story and art, and to educate about social justice. In addition to Art Academy of Cincinnati’s Board, Patterson also serves on Just Media, ArtWorks Cincinnati, and Black Art Speaks.
Erika Schmitt
Erika Schmitt is a Senior Director of Technology Risk and Third Party Risk Management at LendingClub. Here she leads initiatives in financial operations and lending strategy within the digital banking sector. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of the Art Academy of Cincinnati, bringing financial expertise and strategic insight to support the institution’s long-term stability and growth.
Murray Sinclair
Mu Sinclair is a businessman, philanthropist, and fine art aficionado. Committed to service and culture, Mu serves on over a dozen non-profit boards and leads fundraising efforts for numerous capital campaigns including Cincinnati Opera, Music Hall, and Cincinnati Public Radio.
Scott Stough
Scott Stough is the third-generation leader of the Stough Group, where he serves as CEO and continues the family’s legacy of developing specialized medical and commercial facilities. Stough emphasizes urban space revitalization and supports long-term neighborhood growth through thoughtful development and investment.
