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Meet Our Team

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Hilary Ann Feldman

Founder/Artistic Director

Founder/Artistic Director Hilary is a Chicago-based cabaret artist and vocal coach. She holds degrees in Music Theory and Composition and Music Production and Engineering from the University of Illinois and Berklee College of Music in Boston, respectively.

 

In 2003, after over a decade in Chicago’s musical theatre scene, Hilary found cabaret, which has been her artistic home ever since. She is a member of Chicago Cabaret Professionals and performs regularly as a soloist throughout Chicagoland, as well as touring to other cities, including NYC, Los Angeles, and London England.

 

The Chicago Tribune calls Hilary "... a tour de force of cabaret, jazz, and opera", and CBS2 named Hilary as one of the top 5 female musicians in Chicago. Her debut CD, Taking Flight, was named “Cabaret/Folk CD of the Year” (2008) by Cabaret Hotline in NYC. In addition to her active performing life, Hilary is a vocal coach, leads workshops and masterclasses throughout the region, and has been a guest lecturer/instructor at the University of York in England.

 

Hilary's combination of passion for both her art and for humanitarian work, her organizational skills, her independent business experience, and her undying belief in what is possible culminated into the founding Acts Of Kindness Cabaret.

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Renee Kosiarek

Executive Director

Renee Kosiarek has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Theater from the University of Illinois at Chicago and received her Juris Doctorate from Loyola University Chicago School of Law. She adores music, theater and dance, and firmly believes that the arts help us connect, open minds, bring joy, and create change.

 

Renee has spent over fifteen years as a leadership & creativity professor at DePaul University and North Central College. She has served as the director for several graduate leadership programs and taught hundreds of courses related to leadership theory, creativity, ethics, evidence based decision making, and nonprofit management.

 

Renee has coached hundreds of individuals and has been trained by some of the world's leading experts on leadership and empowerment. Her book, "The New Leader: Harnessing the Power of Creativity to Produce Change," was published by Business Expert Press in 2016.

 

Renee currently serves as a member of the Lisle Township Mental Health 708 board and has assisted with strategy & strategic planning for Broadway Weekends, The Brain Inflammation Collaborative, International Music Foundation, and About Face Theatre Company. During the pandemic, she helped Broadway Weekends build and grow an educational arm within schools as well as a scholarship fund.

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Donna Bliss

Development Director

Donna, a lifelong enthusiast of the arts, holds a BFA in Textile and Fiber Arts from the Art Institute of Chicago. With a background in corporate event management, she served as the Executive Director of Special Events at Jam Productions, honing her skills in producing major talent and large-scale events. In 1995, Donna founded Bliss Event Concepts, overseeing notable events like the Walter Payton Run and the Cancer Treatment Research Foundation Gala.

 

Her career expanded to the Zhou B Art Center in 2008, where she played a pivotal role in transforming the Bridgeport corridor into a sought-after event and business destination over nine years. Donna later joined The Art Center Highland Park as the first Director of Development, spearheading efforts to expand their network and increase revenue.

 

Beyond her professional achievements, Donna is a proud mother and dedicated equestrian. During the Covid-19 lockdown, she and her husband fostered and adopted out 15 kittens, continuing their fostering lifestyle. Donna, a practicing artist, remains drawn to using the arts to change and improve lives. Inspired by Acts Of Kindness Cabaret's mission, she has enthusiastically embraced our cause. Explore her art at https://artbliss2.com/my-art/.

Board of Directors

Brianna Bingham
Board President
Membership & Marketing Manager, 
Cremation Association of North America
Melissa Mallinson

Board Treasurer

Nonprofit Consultant

Member, Chicago Women in Philanthropy

McKenna Batterson

Board Secretary 

Marketing Specialist, Gallagher Bassett

Published Writer & Poet

Professional Actor

Michael Unger, M.D.

Board Member

Physician, Internist, Advocate Healthcare

Citizen Advisory Board, Washington Post

Linda Griscom Surlak 

Board Member

Freelance Copyeditor/Proofreader

Greeting Card Designer

Trade Show Coordinator, Canon USA (Retired)

Alex Stetkevich

Board Member

Administrative Services Coordinator, Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP

Member, Chicago Cabaret Professionals 

Caryn Caffarelli

President Emeritus

Professional Vocalist

Member, Chicago Cabaret Professionals

Member, Actors Equity Association​

Arla K. Unwin

Advisory

Certified Life Coach
Residential Real Estate Professional  (Retired)

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  • Tracy Adams: Vocalist

  • Anna Ahlborn: Vocalist

  • Francesca Amari: Vocalist

  • Dinah Barthelmess: Vocalist

  • Joseph Bowen: Web Support

  • Amanda Cenzer: Board Member, Crew

  • Cynthia Clarey: Vocalist

  • Marye Feldman: Office

  • Randy Fischer: Pianist

  • Steven Garside: Vocalist

  • Kelsey Green: Crew

  • ​​Hannah Goalstone: Vocalist, Board Member

  • Tommy Hensel: Vocalist

  • Pete Hil: Photographer

  • Charlies & Sandy Incorvia: Crew

  • Anita Jenke: Crew

  • Meg Radliff: Sound Engineer

  • Scott Radliff: Photographer, Crew

  • Mark Russell: Photgrapher, Crew

  • Brenda Segal: Board Member

  • Jeanne Whiteside: Vocalist​

  • Steven Wright: Videographer

Join Our Team

Passionate People

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