2026 Virtual Conference

Chaz Coberly, JD, MFA

Artistic Director, Manhattan Arts Center

A native of Salina, Chaz brings over twenty years of community theatre experience to his position at the MAC. Joining in July 2024, Chaz helps manage the MAC’s theatre operations. Prior to Manhattan, Chaz was a practicing attorney in Salina, Kansas, specializing in business transactions, tax, and estate planning, while also an avid volunteer at Theatre Salina, serving as board president, directing shows, teaching classes, and regularly performing. In 2019, he received the award for Outstanding Direction from the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) for his work on the play Silent Sky. Chaz holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Theatre Management & Producing from Columbia University, a Juris Doctorate (JD) from Washburn University, and a Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) in physics from Wichita State University, with a minor in mathematics. Chaz serves as the Region V Representative of AACT and the President of AKT.

Jessica Fuller

Director of Grants & Scholarships, Greater Salina Community Foundation

Jessica Fuller has served at the Greater Salina Community Foundation for eight years, supporting nonprofits in Saline County and across north central Kansas through the foundation's affiliate network. The Grants & Scholarships Department at GSCF helps facilitate 42 grant cycles and 78 scholarship funds, and Jessica has led multiple grant writing workshops to help local organizations strengthen their funding strategies. She especially enjoys working with nonprofits and learning about their missions and the meaningful work they bring to their communities. 

Kendra Kuhlman

Executive Director, Manhattan Arts Center

Kendra Kuhlman has been an active member of the Manhattan community for several years and is a proud graduate of Kansas State University, Class of 2000. She first joined the Manhattan Arts Center (MAC) as a board member in 2019 before stepping into the role of Executive Director in July 2023.
Kendra brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership, arts administration, grant writing, fundraising, and community development. Prior to her role at MAC, she worked with nonprofit arts organizations in Lawrence, KS, and earned a Master of Science in Journalism, Mass Communications, and Marketing from the University of Kansas. Her career spans independent consulting, city government roles, and positions at various nonprofits, including the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation.
In addition to her professional work, Kendra has served on numerous nonprofit boards in Manhattan, deepening her expertise in nonprofit management, strategic planning, and organizational development. She is passionate about building strong teams, fostering leadership, and creating meaningful connections between community needs and solutions.

Mitzi Richards

Director of Philanthropy, Greater Manhattan Community Foundation

Mitzi joined the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation in June 2022. She began her leadership career as Chief Executive Officer at Good Shepherd Homecare and Hospice. She then joined the Kansas State University Foundation in 1997, where she led the advancement teams for the College of Engineering and later in Corporate and Foundation Relations. In 2019, Mitzi transitioned to the private sector, joining Keating & Associates in the financial services industry, where she led marketing efforts for the advisor teams they partner with. As Director of Philanthropy, Mitzi will advance the philanthropic efforts of the GMCF by working with community leaders and foundation partners throughout northeast Kansas.



Elizabeth-Ali Schade

Director of Operations, Theatre Salina

Elizabeth-Ali earned her certificate for Grant Proposal Writing from Fort Hays State University. She is a graduate of Kansas State University with a degree in Business Administration-Marketing, a minor in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies, and earned her Intercultural Competence Certificate. She currently attends the University of Oklahoma, where she is seeking her master’s in Arts Management. She serves as the Kansas State Contact for the American Association of Community Theater and Secretary for the Association of Kansas Theatre. Elizabeth-Ali is an Intimacy Director and consultant whose focus is on introduction and education for a consent-forward environment. She earned her Consent Forward Artist certificate from Intimacy Directors and Coordinators and her MHFA Certificate from the National Association for Mental Wellbeing, and is a certified Drama Well-Being Practitioner. She is the Director of Stage Door 1, Music Theatre Company, and teaches at Center for Theatre Arts.