• Treasurer
• Board member since 2024
• Resident of Harbert, MI

Susan lives in Harbert with her husband, Ted. Having enjoyed countless shows at The Acorn, serving on the Board is a true honor! She enjoys all types of live music, dance and theatre. Attending a show in the intimate space at The Acorn is truly something very special that she wants to ensure continues and flourishes.

Susan owns and operates Verdant Hollow Farms, an organic and regenerative farm in nearby Buchanan, Michigan. The farm is a vibrant and productive place and welcomes people to explore nature and small-scale farming with farm tours, goat hikes and a newly opened (summer 2024) Farm Store and goat cheese Creamery.

Prior to farming, Susan and Ted both lived in Chicago. Susan served in various capacities at St. Clement Church and School and St. Ignatius College Prep where her children attended school. She also served on the Lincoln Park Zoo Women’s Board, the Board of Giordano Dance Chicago and participated in fundraising for Concern Worldwide.

She attended University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and earned her CPA certificate and worked as an accountant in Chicago. Currently, she enjoys spending time visiting her children, practicing meditation and yoga, cooking, hiking and exploring the communities of Southwest Michigan.

• Board member since 2024
• Resident of Buchanan, MI

Dylan and his wife moved to the area in 2021 and got locked into a serious animal collection almost immediately. Throughout his career Dylan has been a journalist, private investigator and equity analyst, working now for William Blair out of Chicago. He received a BA in English from Kenyon and an MBA from Indiana University. He lives in Buchanan with his wife Elizabeth and a cadre of horses, donkeys, cats, and dogs. He also serves on the board of the Buchanan Area Senior Center.

He very much looks forward to serving on the board as he sees it as a way to keep investing in and giving back to a community he and his wife really value for its depth and generosity, already only two years into being a part of it all.

• Building & Grounds Committee Co-Chair
• Board member since 2022
• Resident of Beverly Shores, IN

Fred and his family have been visiting the communities along the south shore regions of Lake Michigan since 1988 which led Fred to be a long-time patron of The Acorn as well as many other of the Harbor Country's wonderful offerings.

A registered architect working in the hotel real estate sector, Fred has served on and lead several non-profit boards over the decades, including the Grant Park Orchestra Association, the boards of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Chicago Chapter and Foundation, the boards of the AIA Illinois Council and Foundation, and also served on and lead civic committees for the Village of Oak Park (for master planning, historic preservation, and affordable housing) and the Regional Transit Authority (for transportation planning).

Fred’s passions include music of all kinds (being a classically trained pianist, composing, and producer) as well as all things related to sustainability and improving the environment.

• Board member since 2021
• Resident of Bridgman, MI

Brett is President of Classic Catering and Events, a full service event company serving southwest Michigan and northwest Indiana.  Brett and his wife, Melissa, have owned and operated the business for over 20 years.  

Brett has attended performances at The Acorn for several years and supported The Acorn team with events and executing our outdoor Acorn Anywhere! events during the pandemic.  

Brett is President of the Bridgman Area Chamber of Commerce.    

• Board member since 2021
• Resident of Michiana Shores, IN

Amy began her professional career in California, gaining extensive experience in fundraising, grassroots organizing, government relations and new business start-ups. She is an entrepreneur, notably a founder of Hello Network and helloWorld, one of the Internet’s first streaming video companies, where she helped propel the company from a living room start-up to the American Stock Exchange, with multi-million dollar revenues in over twelve countries.  

Amy has devoted the last four years to the Dunes Art Foundation as board president. She adores community productions and has a passion for establishing regional theatre and cultural arts.  

Amy is a graduate of Ball State University, with a degree in journalism. 

• Immediate Past Chair
• Chair, Nominating & Governance Committee
• Board member since 2018
• Resident of Three Oaks, MI

Bob and his wife Kim are longtime patrons of The Acorn and residents of Three Oaks.

Bob is founder and managing partner at Movéo, a demand generation agency, headquartered in Chicago. For 31+ years Movéo has worked with leaders at B2B and healthcare brands such as Abbott, Cardinal Health, Pfizer, Syneos Health, Molex, and Careerbuilder to craft strategies that have a direct impact on growth.

Bob has worked with leadership at some of the largest nonprofits in the U.S. to define their brands and drive growth. These include Keck Medicine of USC, Trinity Health, Prisma Health, and Amita Health.

He also has played an active role in supporting a number of other nonprofits including Movember, Japan America Society of Chicago (where he serves on the Board), Family Service of Lake County, CamFund, Mulliganeers, and The Margaret Hackett Family Center Foundation in association with the University of Chicago Medicine.

• Chair Elect
• Secretary
• Past Chair
• Board member since 2016
• Lifetime resident of LaPorte County, IN

Jen discovered The Acorn as an audience member and pitched in to help at the close of shows.

Jen is vice-president and district manager for Horizon Bank in Southwest Michigan and Northwest Indiana. With over 20 years in retail banking leadership positions, Jen is now responsible for P & L, sales, employee development, community participation, and leadership. Jen is an active member of the Chamber in Michigan City and LaPorte and a Junior Achievement Advisory Board Member. Jen’s past nonprofit board experience includes the Michigan City Art League, Junior Achievement, Master Gardeners and the Chamber.

• ACPA Executive Director since March 2023

Ashley began her career at Utah Symphony | Utah Opera as Production Coordinator for the opera department, and went on to hold several leadership positions in events and development, including the role Director of Corporate Partnerships. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Utah, and specializes in business strategy, project management, and the building of constructive community, individual, and institutional partnerships.

In 2013, she was selected to participate in Opera America’s Leadership Intensive, a highly competitive and unique industry program that has produced many of the opera industry’s top leaders. In 2015, she joined Chicago Opera Theater, where she was most recently the Edlis Neeson General Director. Under her leadership, COT received a $500,000 three year grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support the Vanguard Emerging Composer program, developed seven world premiere operas, and received the largest gift in COT’s history; $2.25 Million over five years to support and sustain the future of the organization and name the Music Director position from the Elizabeth Morse and Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trusts.

Ashley was named one of 2019's Musical America's Top 30 Professionals in the Performing Arts; a prestigious arts publication that highlights movers and shakers in the performing arts industry. She was more recently featured in NewCity Stage’s Players 50 for 2022; an annual list honoring artists, leaders, and organizations for their contributions to the arts in Chicago.

“The performing arts are essential to a thriving and connected community - and The Acorn has such a rich history of bringing world-class artistry to Harbor Country,” said Magnus. “I am so thrilled to join the leadership team here at The Acorn. I look forward to working closely with the board and staff to expand on their incredible programming and community initiatives.”

Press Release - March 6, 2023

• Acorn Board Chair
• Board member since 2021
• Resident of Galien, MI

Janet Davies was the entertainment reporter for Chicago’s ABC 7 for over 30 years.  She was also the host and executive producer of 190 North, a multiple Emmy award winning Chicago-based entertainment and lifestyle program.

Janet has travelled the world, covering such diverse stories from the British Royal family to the endangered species of Kenya. She also reported from the Academy Awards, the Primetime Emmy Awards and the American Music Awards.

Janet has volunteered for numerous charities including developing and serving on the Children’s Memorial (now Lurie Children’s Hospital) Corporate Board of Directors and working with the Leukemia Research Foundation to create their successful annual 5k race. 

Janet has received numerous awards, including 18 Emmy awards for hosting, producing, writing, and reporting. 

Born in Richmond, Virginia, Janet was raised in Fairfield, Ohio, and earned a BA from Miami University in Ohio, majoring in communications and theater.