Administrative Manager

Sandy Obodzinski joined the Portara Ensemble family as Administrative Manager in July 2024. A Midwesterner at heart and Nashville transplant since 2005, she has worked with nonprofits for nearly 20 years and is currently the Development & Communications Director at Humanities Tennessee, working previously with The Nature Conservancy, Nashville Ballet, ALIAS Chamber Ensemble, among others. She has curated a life filled with nature and the arts, enjoying creative writing, reading, hiking and outdoor activities, spending time in her ‘treehouse’ enjoying nature. She also serves on the board of directors for Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary and Friends of Harpeth River State Park.

Board of Directors

Jordan Simpkins, President

Elizabeth Miller, Secretary

Chris Myrick, Treasurer

Matthew Charlton, Co-Chair of Development

Diane Zandstra, Co-Chair of Development

Destin Weishaar, Chair of Communications

Christina Egan

Josh Post

Jason Shelton, Artistic Director

Join our board

Portara Ensemble is always seeking motivated individuals to serve on our volunteer board of directors. We value experience and perspectives from all walks of life and seek to have a diverse cadre of membership who bring skill sets and contributions of a wide scope and variety.

Portara’s Board meets roughly once per month with one annual meeting taking place each April. As a working board, some commitment is asked of all members, but the level of commitment varies by role and availability.

Please email for more information.
info@portaraensemble.com