Staff & Board

Staff

Kerri Lesch

Executive Director
Kerri Lesch is a former project manager reentering the workforce after 16 years at home with her children. Kerri started as a volunteer with Children’s Performing Arts in 2013 with her daughter, Sarah, in Aladdin,... Read more

Sharon Hanifl-Lee

Board Chair & Senior Advising Director
Sharon has been involved with CPA since 2011 and started on the board as the fundraising chair in 2013.  Originally from the Chicago area where she developed her love for theater, Sharon ventured to Minnesota... Read more

Maddie Ripperger

Education and Programs Manager
Maddie Ripperger is a recent transplant to Twin Cities by way of Iowa. Growing up, she experienced a rich theatrical education at both The Des Moines Playhouse and Rising Star Theatre Company in Dubuque. From... Read more

Riley Peltz

Production Manager
Riley grew up in both Arizona and Wisconsin and after graduating from High School found herself pursuing her love of the Theatre craft at Concordia University, St. Paul. She is a recent 2020 graduate at... Read more

Rhonda Centers

Financial Manager

Jaelon Olson

Virtual Arts Coordinator and Technical Assistant
My name is Jaelon Olson. I live on a small hobby farm in Scandia, Minnesota. My family raises sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, and other animals. I have loved film for as long as I can... Read more

Clare Rolinger

Education Associate
Clare grew up in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She later attended college at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa – where she received her BA in Theatre and English. In her time at Luther, Clare cultivated a... Read more

Meg Lesch

Marketing Assistant
Meg has been working at CPA since May 6, 2019. She is currently attending Hamline University and planning on majoring in Finance or Accounting, while playing basketball. She loves working at CPA because she gets... Read more

Board