MINNEAPOLIS–ST. PAUL, Minn. — September 25, 2026 — In a major governance move designed to bolster institutional stability and broaden community engagement, VocalEssence—one of Minnesota’s premier performing arts and choral music organizations—has officially announced the appointment of six new members to its Board of Directors.
The announcement comes as the 58-year-old nonprofit enters a pivotal operational phase, seeking to merge commercial scaling expertise, high-level human resource strategy, and public arts governance with its core artistic mission. The incoming board cohort includes corporate executives, healthcare market leaders, veteran arts advocates, and philanthropic strategists, reflecting a sophisticated approach to nonprofit governance in the modern cultural landscape.
Executive Overview
The strategic appointment of six distinct industry leaders signals a deliberate alignment between corporate expertise and cultural stewardship at VocalEssence. As the organization approaches six decades of continuous operation, the newly appointed board members—Sooki Jalali, Harry Miller, Bunny Robinson, Carolyn Sleeth, Sunita Vongharath-Evenson, and Karen Voracek—will shoulder the dual responsibility of serving as community ambassadors and overseeing critical policy and fiduciary decisions.
The expanding board arrives at a time when performing arts organizations nationwide face complex challenges, including shifting donor demographics, evolving audience engagement models, and the necessity for robust cross-sector partnerships. By recruiting executive talent across commercial healthcare, philanthropy, executive search, business development, and public arts policy, VocalEssence is positioning itself for sustained financial stability and expanded regional influence.
The board’s mandate centers on guiding major organizational policies, safeguarding the nonprofit’s financial health, and ensuring that community engagement initiatives resonate across diverse populations within the Twin Cities metropolitan area and beyond.
Detailed Chronology
To understand the context of these executive appointments, it is essential to trace the historical timeline of VocalEssence and the governance developments leading to the September 2026 announcement.
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| VOCALESSENCE GOVERNANCE TIMELINE |
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| 1968 | Founded by Philip Brunelle as the Plymouth Music Series. |
| | |
| 1970s–2010s | Expands from a local choral ensemble into an internationally |
| | recognized arts organization with educational programs (WITNESS, |
| | Vintage Voices). |
| | |
| 2020–2024 | Navigates post-pandemic performance models, digital engagement, |
| | and executive leadership evolution under Executive Director |
| | Amy Jaine Wielunski. |
| | |
| 2025 | Completion of major long-term civic terms, including Bunny |
| | Robinson's 20-year tenure as a Minnesota election judge, signaling |
| | a transition phase for senior civic leaders. |
| | |
| Sept 2026 | Official induction of a six-member board cohort spanning healthcare,|
| | philanthropy, HR, and entrepreneurship to steer 58th season and beyond.|
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Since its founding in 1968, VocalEssence has operated not merely as a performance ensemble, but as a cultural incubator for Minnesota. Over its 58-year history, the organization has consistently updated its administrative and governance frameworks to keep pace with growth. The September 2026 appointments mark one of the most comprehensive governance expansions in the organization’s recent history, addressing the complex requirements of modern arts administration.
The six new board members bring a powerful combination of corporate acumen, entrepreneurial achievement, and deep-rooted civic engagement. Below is an analytical breakdown of each new appointee, highlighting their professional backgrounds, key metrics, and strategic value to VocalEssence.
1. Sooki Jalali: Cross-Cultural Entrepreneurship and MEDA Consultancy
Professional Focus: Business Consulting, Entrepreneurship, Community Health
Current Role: Business Consultant, Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA)
Education: B.S. in Biology and Business, University of Minnesota
Strategic Utility: Business scaling, ethnic enterprise advocacy, multicultural outreach
Born in Seoul, South Korea, and raised in Minnesota, Jalali brings an entrepreneurial background to the board, having launched three successful ventures across the health, wellness, and business development sectors. At MEDA, she specializes in assisting minority and ethnic business owners with operational scaling, financial strategy, and market expansion.
Jalali’s deep involvement in community health and philanthropy—including service with the Ebenezer Foundation, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (where she was a 2017 Man & Woman of the Year nominee), Hunger Solutions, and the Alliance for a New Humanity—provides VocalEssence with valuable links to regional social impact networks. Furthermore, her focus on raising biracial, bilingual (Farsi/Korean) children underscores her personal alignment with VocalEssence’s mission of cultural inclusivity.
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| SOOKI JALALI - AT A GLANCE |
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| Background | Born in Seoul, Korea; raised in Minnesota |
| Core Expertise | Enterprise Scaling, MEDA Business Consulting |
| Notable Honors | Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Nominee (2017) |
| Certifications | Chopra Center Certified Yoga Instructor |
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2. Harry Miller: Organizational Strategy and SCORE Mentorship
Professional Focus: Business Development, Strategic Planning, Non-Profit Governance
Current Role: Active Volunteer & Mentor, SCORE Twin Cities
Strategic Utility: Small business oversight, non-profit development, strategic planning
With more than four decades of business leadership, Harry Miller brings extensive experience in organizational strategy and team management. His work with SCORE Twin Cities—a non-profit partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration—has centered on helping business owners navigate structural changes, refine growth models, and build operational resilience.
Miller’s leadership within SCORE’s fundraising, volunteer development, and governance initiatives aligns directly with the financial stewardship demands of VocalEssence. His background will be instrumental in optimizing board governance and strengthening long-term donor relationships.
3. Bunny Robinson: Human Capital Management and Public Arts Governance
Professional Focus: Executive Search, Human Resources, Arts Policy
Current Roles: Executive Consultant, Navigate Forward; Principal Consultant, Robinson-Robinson & Associates (RRA)
Education: B.F.A. in Theatre, University of Illinois; M.A. in Organizational Leadership (MAOL), St. Catherine University
Strategic Utility: Executive search diversity, public arts policy, conflict resolution
Bunny Robinson brings high-level human resources and public sector board experience to VocalEssence. As Principal of Robinson-Robinson & Associates, she has built a career around executive search with an emphasis on presenting balanced, diverse talent slates. Her strategic work at Navigate Forward focuses on guiding top executives through career transitions.
Robinson’s service record in arts administration is extensive. She previously served on the Minnesota State Arts Board, Arts Midwest, and the State Programs Panel for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in Washington, D.C. Combined with past directorships at United Way Minneapolis, the Conflict Resolution Center, and the Women’s Association of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, Robinson offers an impressive background in arts policy and executive HR.
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| BUNNY ROBINSON - GOVERNANCE PROFILE |
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| Strategic HR | Principal, Robinson-Robinson & Associates |
| Public Arts Policy| Former Panelist, National Endowment for the Arts |
| State Oversight | Former Board Member, Minnesota State Arts Board |
| Conflict Oversight| Contract Mediator, MN Department of Education |
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4. Carolyn Sleeth: Corporate Commercial Scaling and Operational Strategy
Professional Focus: Medical Device Executive Leadership, Commercial Strategy
Former Role: Senior Vice President & U.S. General Manager, Insulet Corporation
Education: B.A. in History, Stanford University; M.A. in Russian, University of Chicago; M.B.A., University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Carolyn Sleeth provides enterprise-level corporate oversight drawn from a 20-year career in the medical device industry. In her recent executive role at Insulet, she led a 700-person commercial division that achieved sustained annual revenue growth exceeding 20%. Her prior tenure at Medtronic included leadership of the aorta and venous vascular business units, alongside strategic roles in cardiac disease marketing.
Sleeth’s academic credentials from Stanford and the University of Chicago, combined with her experience managing complex, high-growth P&L structures, offer VocalEssence strong commercial perspective as the organization evaluates its long-term financial models.
5. Sunita Vongharath-Evenson: Human Resources and Organizational Culture
Professional Focus: Human Resources Leadership, Non-Profit Culture Transformation
Sunita Vongharath-Evenson specializes in building mission-driven organizational cultures. Her career has centered on helping non-profit and enterprise leaders navigate structural changes, align human resource strategies with core values, and foster inclusive workplaces.
Her appointment addresses an important need for performing arts boards: ensuring internal organizational health, employee retention, and effective staff leadership during periods of institutional expansion.
6. Karen Voracek: Philanthropic Strategy and Strategic Communications
Professional Focus: Enterprise Strategy, Philanthropic Marketing, Strategic Operations
Current Role: Vice President of Donor Experience, Marketing & Strategy, Thrivent Charitable
Education: B.A. in International Relations & German, Carroll University; M.B.A., University of St. Thomas
Karen Voracek brings over 30 years of strategic leadership across corporate and philanthropic sectors. At Thrivent Charitable, she directs enterprise strategy, donor experience operations, marketing, and product development. Her work focuses on translating strategic concepts into structured donor engagement programs.
Voracek’s deep roots in philanthropy are complemented by her personal connection to music as a lifelong clarinetist and active choral singer. Her combined corporate and non-profit background—supported by board service at the Sacred Ground Center for Spirituality—positions her to enhance VocalEssence’s fundraising models and donor stewardship programs.
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| KAREN VORACEK - EXECUTIVE PROFILE |
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| Primary Role | VP of Donor Experience & Marketing, Thrivent |
| Core Focus | Charitable Giving Operations, Strategic Marketing |
| Academic Degrees | MBA (Univ. of St. Thomas), BA (Carroll Univ.) |
| Arts Background | Classically trained clarinetist, choral performer |
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Official Statements
The leadership team at VocalEssence emphasized the strategic value of these appointments for both organizational governance and community engagement.
Philip Brunelle, Founder and Artistic Director of VocalEssence, highlighted the importance of expanding the organization’s community connections:
"I’m delighted to welcome our new board members to the organization. Our mission is to unite our community in song, and each one of our new board members creates an opportunity we deeply value—to connect with the new voices and new networks that are always growing in the place we’ve called home for more than half a century. Serving on our board is a generous contribution of time, skill, and spirit, and we know these incredible professionals have insights and perspectives that will enhance VocalEssence beyond measure."
Amy Jaine Wielunski, Executive Director of VocalEssence, focused on the strategic skill sets and professional diversity the new cohort brings:
"These new board members bring a powerful mix of executive leadership, HR, marketing, philanthropy, and arts governance experience to VocalEssence. I am thrilled to welcome them on board! Just as inspiring are their personal connections to our mission, from lifelong choral singers to newer enthusiasts, all united by the belief that singing has the power to bring people together. I am excited at the opportunity to work with each of them as we grow our impact across the Twin Cities and beyond."
Future Outlook & Strategic Roadmap
The integration of these six leaders comes at a key moment for VocalEssence as it builds toward its 60th anniversary milestone in 2028. The expanded board composition offers strong support across several long-term strategic initiatives:
Optimizing Financial and Philanthropic Operations:
By combining Karen Voracek’s donor experience strategies with Carolyn Sleeth’s commercial management background, VocalEssence is well-positioned to expand its fundraising programs and insulate its budget from macroeconomic fluctuations.
Strengthening Organizational Culture and Governance:
With the collective guidance of Bunny Robinson, Sunita Vongharath-Evenson, and Harry Miller, the organization gains valuable experience in executive development, workplace equity, and non-profit governance. This support will help ensure internal stability and effective operational leadership.
Broadening Regional and Cultural Impact:
Sooki Jalali’s work with minority-owned enterprises and Bunny Robinson’s experience with national and state arts panels will help VocalEssence broaden its audience base and deepen its ties across the diverse communities of the Twin Cities.
By combining executive business expertise with a shared commitment to the arts, VocalEssence’s expanded Board of Directors sets a strong foundation for sustainable growth, ensuring the organization remains a leading cultural voice for decades to come.
