Board of Directors

Philip Boehm is a playwright, theater director, and literary translator whose career zigzags across languages, borders, artistic disciplines, and cultural divides. Born in Texas, he was educated at Wesleyan University, Washington University in St. Louis, and the State Academy of Theater (PWST) in Warsaw, Poland. Boehm founded the Upstream Theater in St. Louis, known for its foreign play productions. Fluent in English, German, and Polish, he has directed plays in Poland and Slovakia. His written work includes plays such as Mixtitlan, Soul of a Clone, Alma en venta, The Death of Atahualpa, and Return of the Bedbug. Boehm has translated over thirty novels and plays by German and Polish writers, including Herta Müller, Franz Kafka, and Hanna Krall. Nonfiction translations include A Woman in Berlin and Words to Outlive UsEyewitness Accounts from the Warsaw Ghetto

Joe Chesla is an internationally exhibited artist and Professor of Art-sculpture, ceramics, and design with a demonstrated history of working in higher education. Skilled in mixed media works, printmaking, sculpture, and installation – time-based and site-specific works. Served as Head Preparator at the Kemper Museum (KC) and museum preparator at the Walker Art Center (MN). Strong education professional with a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) focused in sculpture/installation/ceramics from Utah State University and a BS from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Adam Czernikiewicz is a Senior Legal Counsel with a UK-based renewable energy provider. Adam graduated magna cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law, where he served as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Illinois Law Update. He holds a B.S. in French Commercial Studies from the University of Illinois and studied at L’Universite Paris Sorbonne (IV) and L’Institut Catholic de Paris. Adam was born and grew up in St. Louis and graduated from St. Louis Priory High School.

Jarek Czernikiewicz is a licensed professional engineer specializing in civil engineering. He works as Chief Design Engineer at the City of St. Louis Board of the Public Service. Jarek is a Warsaw University of Technology (Poland) graduate with an M.Sc. Degree in Civil Engineering. Jarek was born and grew up in Warsaw, Poland. He has lived in St. Louis since 1985. His favorite pastime is bike riding, skiing, recreational swimming, music, and the architecture of St. Louis.

Michael Parkinson is a music educator, conductor/performer, and clinician. He is a KHS America Education Artist and an XO Professional Brass Artist. He previously served as Director of the Ohio University School of Music and Music Department Chair at Webster University in St. Louis. He taught jazz studies, contemporary music, and entrepreneurship courses at Ohio and founded the New Music Ensemble and the Mini-Big Band at Webster. He served as Artistic Director of the International Summer Jazz Academy in Poland, bringing international artists together to work with talented students from Europe and the United States. In recognition of his service to education, he was named Amicus Poloniae by the Republic of Poland.

Monika Zahorska is a web designer with a strong background in graphic design and expertise in all phases of the web life cycle. Monika is a graduate of the University of Warsaw with an M.A. degree in Polish philology.