MINNEAPOLIS — September 25, 2026 — VocalEssence, one of the nation’s premier choral arts organizations, has announced the appointment of six new members to its Board of Directors. The expansion comes at a pivotal moment in the non-profit’s 58-year history as it seeks to strengthen its financial foundation, expand community outreach across the Twin Cities, and modernize its governance model in an increasingly complex cultural landscape.
The newly appointed board members—Sooki Jalali, Harry Miller, Bunny Robinson, Carolyn Sleeth, Sunita Vongharath-Evenson, and Karen Voracek—bring a diverse array of expertise spanning medical technology leadership, corporate strategy, executive human resources, philanthropic governance, and cross-cultural entrepreneurship.
As ambassadors and fiduciaries, board members at VocalEssence are charged with overseeing major policy decisions, guiding organizational strategy, and ensuring long-term fiscal resilience. This institutional expansion underscores a growing trend among performing arts non-profits to recruit seasoned executives capable of navigating economic shifts while deepening community engagement.
Executive Overview
Founded in 1968, VocalEssence has evolved from a local choral ensemble into an internationally recognized arts institution. However, sustaining a 58-year-old non-profit requires continuous innovation in board governance, strategic fundraising, and audience development.
The recruitment of these six directors reflects a deliberate effort by leadership to align institutional oversight with high-level expertise in healthcare commercialization, executive search, enterprise risk management, and equity-focused business incubation. By integrating leaders from both the corporate and philanthropic sectors, VocalEssence aims to bolster its operational framework while remaining anchored to its core mission: uniting communities through song.
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| VOCALESSENCE BOARD EXPANSION AT A GLANCE |
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| Appointee | Primary Area of Expertise |
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| Sooki Jalali | Entrepreneurship, MEDA Business Consulting |
| Harry Miller | Organizational Strategy, SCORE Mentorship |
| Bunny Robinson | Executive HR, Search, Civic & Arts Governance |
| Carolyn Sleeth | MedTech Executive Leadership, Commercial Scale|
| Sunita Vongharath-Evenson | HR Leadership, Organizational Culture |
| Karen Voracek | Philanthropic Strategy, Thrivent Charitable |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------+Detailed Profiles & Strategic Value of Appointees
Sooki Jalali – Cross-Cultural Entrepreneurship and Community Scaling
Born in Seoul, South Korea, and relocating to Minnesota as a teenager, Sooki Jalali brings a rich background in business incubation, health and wellness, and multicultural advocacy. Jalali holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Business from the University of Minnesota and has founded three successful enterprises across the business development and wellness sectors.
Currently serving as a Business Consultant at the Metropolitan Economic Development Association (MEDA), Jalali specializes in helping minority and ethnic business owners scale operations and access capital. Her extensive background in community service includes volunteer leadership with the Ebenezer Foundation, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (where she was nominated for Man & Woman of the Year in 2017), Hunger Solutions, and the Alliance for a New Humanity. A certified yoga instructor trained under Dr. Deepak Chopra, M.D., Jalali’s personal dedication to cross-cultural bridge building—demonstrated in her multilingual household proficient in English, Farsi, and Korean—complements VocalEssence’s commitment to inclusive cultural representation.
Harry Miller – Decades of Business Development and Strategic Mentorship
With more than 40 years of operational and strategic leadership experience, Harry Miller brings institutional business development expertise to the board. Miller’s career has focused on helping mission-driven organizations adapt to changing market conditions, build cross-sector partnerships, and structure resilient governance frameworks.
As an active mentor and volunteer leader with SCORE Twin Cities, Miller works directly with entrepreneurs to design sustainable business models and scale operations. His administrative leadership at SCORE has encompassed development, fundraising, volunteer coordination, and board governance. Miller’s long-standing focus on organizational structure and strategic expansion will provide crucial guidance as VocalEssence evaluates its long-range capital strategies and institutional partnerships.
Bunny Robinson – Executive Governance, HR Acumen, and Arts Advocacy
Bunny Robinson brings a distinguished career in human resources, executive search, and civic governance to VocalEssence. Robinson serves as an executive consultant with Navigate Forward, advising C-suite leaders through career transitions, and is the principal consultant at Robinson-Robinson & Associates (RRA), a retained executive search firm specializing in placing diverse executive talent.
Robinson’s extensive board service spans the local and national arts landscape. 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. Beyond the arts, her philanthropic leadership includes board roles with United Way Minneapolis, the Conflict Resolution Center, Missions Inc. Programs, and the Women’s Association of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities. A contract mediator for the Minnesota Department of Education and a former election judge of 20 years, Robinson holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and a Master of Organizational Leadership (MAOL) from St. Catherine University.
Carolyn Sleeth – Commercial Execution and MedTech Executive Leadership
Carolyn Sleeth brings top-tier corporate strategy and commercial execution skills to the organization, backed by more than two decades of executive experience in the medical device industry. Sleeth most recently served as Senior Vice President and U.S. General Manager at Insulet Corporation, where she managed a 700-person commercial organization and drove consistent annual revenue growth exceeding 20 percent.
Prior to Insulet, Sleeth spent years in senior leadership at Medtronic, guiding marketing, market development, and strategic direction across its cardiovascular businesses. Originally from California, Sleeth holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Stanford University, a Master’s degree in Russian, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Her experience managing large-scale commercial operations and navigating multi-million-dollar growth strategies will be instrumental in reinforcing VocalEssence’s financial sustainability.
Sunita Vongharath-Evenson – Organizational Transformation and Human Capital Strategy
Sunita Vongharath-Evenson is an executive human resources leader and non-profit advocate with a career centered on organizational culture, leadership development, and change management.
Vongharath-Evenson has consistently partnered with mission-driven enterprises to construct equitable internal frameworks and streamline human capital operations. Her expertise will support VocalEssence in refining internal operations, optimizing volunteer and staff management, and fostering talent retention across the organization’s artistic and administrative branches.
Karen Voracek – Philanthropic Innovation and Strategic Donor Engagement
Karen Voracek brings more than 30 years of corporate and non-profit leadership experience, specializing in strategy, donor engagement, and organizational transformation. Voracek serves as Vice President of Donor Experience, Marketing & Strategy at Thrivent Charitable, where she oversees enterprise strategy, marketing, product management, and donor operations.
Before transitioning her focus to philanthropy and planned giving, Voracek spent nearly three decades leading strategic customer experience initiatives in the corporate sector. An active musician who played clarinet from a young age and sings in her parish choir, Voracek combines corporate rigor with a lifelong passion for choral music. She holds an MBA from the University of St. Thomas and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and German from Carroll University, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Sacred Ground Center for Spirituality.
Detailed Chronology: Governance Evolution of a 58-Year Cultural Anchor
The appointment of these six board members marks a distinct chapter in the evolution of VocalEssence’s leadership structure:
VOCALESSENCE GOVERNANCE EVOLUTION (1968–2026)
[1968] -------------------------------------------------------------------> [2000s] -------------------------------------------------------------------> [2026]
Founded as Plymouth Music Series; Rebranded to VocalEssence; Board expands with 6 executives;
Focused on ensemble performances Expanded educational outreach Focus on enterprise scale, HR,
& regional choral repertoire. & global guest artist series. and cross-sector philanthropy.- 1968–1990s: Founded by Philip Brunelle as the Plymouth Music Series, the organization focused primarily on artistic exploration, championing rarely heard choral works and establishing local performance roots. Governance was largely centered around community supporters and choral enthusiasts.
- 2000s–2010s: Rebranded as VocalEssence, the organization broadened its mission to emphasize community education, youth outreach (such as the WITNESS program), and international collaborations. Board expansion began incorporating formal non-profit management professionals to oversee expanding budgets.
- 2020–2025: Like many arts institutions nationwide, VocalEssence navigated the disruptions of the pandemic era, shifting toward digital engagements, flexible programming, and enhanced focus on equity, access, and diversity in arts administration.
- September 25, 2026: VocalEssence formally inducts six new leaders to its board, consolidating expertise across MedTech scale-ups, global HR governance, enterprise philanthropy, and minority business consulting to ensure stability for its upcoming 60th anniversary horizon.
Supporting Context & Metrics
The governance strategy reflected in this expansion aligns with broader industry data regarding non-profit sustainability. According to research in arts administration, non-profits that diversify board skill sets beyond traditional donor networks—incorporating expertise in human resources, scalable business operations, and equity-focused consulting—demonstrate higher rates of long-term operational resilience.
Key Metrics Represented by the Incoming Board:
- 58 Years: The legacy of VocalEssence as an operational cultural non-profit in Minnesota.
- 700+ Personnel Management: Operational scale previously overseen by Carolyn Sleeth during her tenure at Insulet Corporation, demonstrating capacity for large-scale institutional management.
- 40+ Years: Business consulting and organizational growth expertise brought by Harry Miller.
- 30+ Years: Corporate strategy, donor management, and philanthropic product design contributed by Karen Voracek.
- 20 Years: Public civic involvement maintained by Bunny Robinson as a Minnesota election judge, alongside decades of federal (NEA) and state (MSAB) arts governance.
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| COMBINED PROFESSIONAL FOOTPRINT OF NEW DIRECTORS |
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| Metric Sector | Combined Expertise Highlights |
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| Executive Leadership & Strategy | 90+ years across MedTech, HR, & Philanthropy |
| Arts & Public Governance | Former NEA Panelist, MSAB, Arts Midwest Board |
| Small Business & Incubation | 3 Wellness Startups, MEDA & SCORE Leadership |
| Educational Credentials | Degrees from Stanford, UChicago, UMN, St. Thomas|
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------------------+Official Statements
Leadership from VocalEssence expressed strong confidence in the new directors’ abilities to guide the organization into its next era of growth.
Philip Brunelle, Founder and Artistic Director of VocalEssence, emphasized the human and artistic connections the new board members bring:
"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, highlighted the operational and strategic balance of the new cohort:
"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: Navigating the Modern Non-Profit Arts Landscape
The onboarding of these six board members signals a proactive approach by VocalEssence to tackle the ongoing challenges facing the performing arts sector. Post-2020 shifts in audience habits, fluctuating corporate sponsorships, and changing demographic patterns require arts organizations to operate with the discipline of enterprise businesses while maintaining cultural authenticity.
By integrating leaders who understand enterprise scaling (Sleeth), diverse recruitment and governance (Robinson), small business resiliency (Jalali, Miller), corporate HR culture (Vongharath-Evenson), and modern philanthropic strategy (Voracek), VocalEssence positions itself to expand its artistic footprint across the Upper Midwest.
As the organization approaches its six-decade milestone, this strategic expansion of its governing body ensures that VocalEssence possesses the organizational agility, financial oversight, and community depth necessary to maintain its status as a vital cultural force.
