Board of Directors

Kathleen Drinane Davis, President

Kat is a long-time resident of Metuchen and is happy to have raised her family in a town that values the arts. She currently works in arts administration and management in New York City. Before that, she was the director of the Neighborhood Playhouse Junior School, NYC for 18 years. She has taught theatre and enrichment for all ages at the Metuchen YMCA, the Forum Theatre, the Metuchen Library and several high schools in Virginia and Maryland. She is particularly proud that many of her students have become successful theatre professionals. She holds a Master’s degree in Theatre from Hunter College in NYC and a certificate in nonprofit management from Northeastern University and also serves on the Community Nursery School Board of Trustees.

Edna Epelu

Edna Epelu thrives on building authentic connections and propelling growth. After 15 years navigating diverse projects, she founded Papillon & Company, a thriving community-focused retail space. Beyond this current venture, Ms. Epelu boasts experience in international development and financial institutions, leveraging strong skills in management, grant writing, and client relationships. Education includes: MBA in Energy Management (University of Aberdeen, UK), MSc. in Africa and International Development (University of Edinburgh, UK), MSc. in Communication Management (Simmons College, Boston)

Current Highlights: Founder & Principal, Papillon & Company (2020 - Present):

    • Grew community hub and incubator, generating over $1 million in revenue. And offering a market place to 20 independent entrepreneurs.

    • Championed local artisans, crafting a unique shopping experience.

    • Successfully launched startups into brick-and-mortar businesses.

Lynne Mueller, Vice President

Lynne Mueller is a jazz event planner who, with more than 30 years of jazz event and concert production experience in New York City, enjoys bringing great jazz to the Metuchen community. Since 2017 she has been at the forefront of planning jazz festivals and concerts in Metuchen, including Metuchen Jazz Festival, Central Jersey Jazz Festival – Metuchen, the Cornerstone Jazz Series, as well as, Jazz Brunches at the Greek on Main, the virtual Jazz Education Series and the new “Jazz Night at Hailey’s Parlor.” She currently serves on two Boards in Metuchen: Friends of Metuchen Arts - where, as a founding member, she is Vice President and Secretary and responsible for “Metuchen Jazz” and Friends of the Metuchen Library. Lynne is a long-time resident of Metuchen and a member of St. Luke’s Church. Her first career was at Colgate-Palmolive Co., in research and development and project management. She has a B.S. degree in biology from Valparaiso University.

Grace Shackney, Secretary

Grace retired as Aide to the Chairman of The Citizens Campaign, a statewide non-profit organization that promotes participation in all levels of government. Previously she was Director of Artistic Administration at the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, NJ.  Grace was assistant to the Broadway producer Richard Frankel at Richard Frankel Productions in New York City.   She also served as Producing Associate for the Twilight Performing Arts Festival on the campus of the Bucks County Community College in Bucks County, PA.  In the late 1960’s, she was a founding member of Theatre Six, a professional theater company in Metuchen, NJ.  In addition to her theater work, Grace served on the boards of several local chapters of the League of Women Voters in Rockland County, NY, Bucks County, PA, and in Metuchen, NJ.  She was a founding member of the Metuchen Downtown Alliance.  Grace served as chair of the Metuchen Arts Council.  She currently serves on the board of The Borough Improvement League and Metuchen/Edison Historical Society.  Grace received her B.A. degree in Theater Administration from Rutgers University.

Michael Way

Bio to come soon!

Volunteers:

Robert Diken, Senior Advisor

Robert worked professionally as a managing Director at Marsh & McLennan Companies in NY.   His role was to manage and grow large global account client relationships, including customers in the manufacturing, financial services, media/entertainment, and retail sectors.   This long and diverse professional business experience has given him the skill sets to successfully negotiate and manage team relationships, which along with his creative passion goes hand in hand with collaborating and coordinating art projects in our community. After retiring from a business career, Bob became interested in pursuing his interests in the arts, both on a personal and at the civic level, with a desire to engage with the community on projects which would make an impact on the beauty in the Borough. He currently serves on the Metuchen Arts Council in an advisory capacity. As an artist Bob creates paintings and ceramic sculpture art.  Eastern culture, landscapes, graffiti and the impressionists influence his work and many of my sculptures.