On Tuesday, June 19, Fleisher welcomed new board president Mark B. Goodheart, a trial lawyer, counselor, and principal of Philadelphia’s The Goodheart Firm, P.C. Goodheart has long been a student at Fleisher, and two of his children can regularly be found in the Saturday Young Artist Program.

A native of Philadelphia, Goodheart grew up in Mt. Airy and is a graduate of Germantown Friends School. He later studied at Binghamton University, where he pitched for the school’s baseball team, and earned his law degree at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law. He was introduced to Fleisher by his father, the late Bernard J. Goodheart, who was a judge in Philadelphia’s Court of Common Please, a supporter of the arts, and a painting student here for more than 50 years.

“We are thrilled that Mark has agreed to take on our most important leadership role,” says Elizabeth Grimaldi, Fleisher’s executive director. “His exuberance for our mission is evident in every interaction I have with him, and he brings with him a critical perspective that will ensure Fleisher’s continued success as we embark on our 121st year of operation.”

Goodheart joined Fleisher’s Board of Directors in 2015, after serving as the co-chair for the Founder’s Award celebration that honored longtime teaching artist Louise Clement-Hoff. He is also active in the legal, civic, and charitable communities, and has served as a Hearing Committee Member of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania since 2012 and as a volunteer lawyer for the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee. He and his firm are title sponsors of the Dave Parker 39 Foundation, which raises money to support programs for those suffering from Parkinson’s disease and to fund research for a cure. Goodheart is also a dedicated coach of youth sports, including of the middle school baseball team at Friends Select School.

Mark Goodheart, center, with past Fleisher presidents Jolley Bruce Christman (2013-2018), right, and Liz Price (2007-2013).

Goodheart replaces Jolley Bruce Christman as president. A board member since 2011 and a nationally recognized scholar on urban education, Christman steered Fleisher to significant growth throughout her five-year tenure as President. Under her guidance, Fleisher experienced drastic increases in enrollment in its arts education programming for adults and cemented a vision for the institution’s future through the completion of its master plan.

As the founder of Philadelphia’s Research for Action, an educational research organization, Christman’s considerable experience and mentorship were key in securing significant funding from the William Penn Foundation to examine and enhance the effectiveness of Fleisher’s Community Partners in the Arts program. Since 1997, the program has paired Fleisher’s teaching artists with Philadelphia public schools, community organizations, and social service agencies to create arts-integrated residencies that enrich students’ learning.

Jolley Bruce Christman, right, with Board Member Karen Melikian at the 2016 Founder’s Award celebration. 

New board members
In addition to a new president, Fleisher’s board also welcomed several new members. They are:

David Dunn, managing director at FTI Consulting. Dunn has more than 17 years of experience in building and leading teams that advise multinational corporations and institutional investors on political risk and investment opportunities in markets around the world.

Shannon Maldonado, founder and owner of Yowie. A South Philadelphia native, Maldonado worked for some of the most recognizable names in fashion including American Eagle, Ralph Lauren, and Urban Outfitters, before opening Yowie on historic Fabric Row in Queen Village.

Nicole Allen White, director of government and external affairs, Philadelphia Museum of Art. White also serves as the chair of the Mayor’s Millennial Advisory Committee, the vice-chair of USA250, and chairs the Advocacy Committee of the Philadelphia Cultural Fund. She is the co-founder of the annual Pattison Leader Ball, which brings together future leaders of Pennsylvania.