Board of Trustees
Sekia Jackson’s love for theatre blossomed through her daughter, who has been acting and performing since the age of five. What began as a supportive parent’s journey quickly evolved into a deep appreciation for the arts and the powerful storytelling that theatre brings to life. Her involvement with Bristol Riverside Theatre began from the audience, cheering on her daughter’s passion — and grew into a meaningful relationship with the organization itself. Through her time spent at the theatre, Sekia developed an admiration for its leadership, its commitment to cultural excellence, and its ability to create experiences that connect people and enrich the community.
Professionally, Sekia serves as an Executive Director with JPMorgan Chase Bank, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in the auto finance industry. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Syracuse University and an Executive MBA from Pennsylvania State University, where she honed her leadership and strategic management skills.
Sekia is also deeply committed to community service and mentorship. A proud 30-year member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., she currently serves as the Rhoer Advisor, mentoring young ladies between the ages of 12 and 18, and as Co-Chair of the Peanut Luncheon, an initiative that supports students pursuing higher education through scholarships and recognition. Additionally, Sekia is an active member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Bucks County Chapter, where she serves in various capacities that focus on community engagement and youth development.
Beyond her corporate and volunteer commitments, Sekia is the founder of On This Day Events, an event planning, consulting, and design company that allows her to combine creativity, organization, and an eye for detail to curate memorable experiences.
Her dual passions for business and the arts come together at Bristol Riverside Theatre, where she is proud to contribute her expertise, creativity, and enthusiasm to support its mission of delivering exceptional performances and fostering cultural growth in the community.
Zach found his joy of acting after joining the cast of Peter Pan as a Lost Boy at his local community theatre. That transformative experience sparked years of performing arts summer camps as well as performances on stage both as an actor and musician. Now, he is just as excited to be involved off-stage and share Bristol Riverside Theatre with others. While not at the theatre, Zach is an associate attorney with the law firm Stark & Stark, P.C. and concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial litigation, loan workouts, bankruptcy and real estate litigation.
In addition to his experience in Finance, Mr. Jordan dedicates much of his time doing advocacy work and currently serves on several Boards. He volunteers with the Pennsylvania State NAACP where he serves as their Community Relations Committee. He serves as an advisor to Hands across Philadelphia, he serves on the Bucks County Community College, Diversity, Committee and as Vice President of the Bucks County Chapter of the NAACP.
Mr. Jordan is dedicated to education. He served 8 years on the Bucks County Technical High School and Morrisville, PA School Boards serving as Board President for two of those years. He has also served on the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
His many Accolades include but are not limited to, recently receiving the prestigious Drum Major for Justice Award for his work in Civil Rights. He was appointed to the National Voting Rights Commission by President Obama for his work in Pennsylvania protecting voting rights. He’s also a recipient of the President’s Award from the Central New Jersey Boy Scouts Council for their Learning for Life Program, a program that mentors at-risk youth.
Mr. Jordan often speaks at events addressing issues of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, job readiness, self-esteem, peer mediation, conflict resolution, and his Advocacy work. He has been an invited speaker to Temple, Penn State, Rutgers, and Drexel Universities to name a few.
In his spare time, he enjoys singing and is a member of the New Salem Baptist Church Male Chorus. He resides in Croydon, PA with his family.
Mr. Jordan lives by the motto . . .
“Never look down on a man unless you are picking him up.”
Cindy first found her love of theater in 2nd grade, when she was cast as Snow White in the play of the same name. She continued to perform in high school, college and summer theater. She is most proud of being cast as Graciela in West Side Story at City Line Dinner Theater in Philadelphia; a production that had the original Jerome Robbins choreography—wow! She has sung in her church choirs, as well as community choruses.
Cindy spent most of her working years as an editor in educational publishing, including over 22 years at ETS. She is now retired, and lives in Rockledge PA with her husband Tom.
For Cindy, Bristol Riverside Theatre is a treasure that should be supported and preserved, now and for future generations, and she is excited to work with BRT staff and fellow trustees to make that happen.
Megan grew up in the theater as a dancer where she performed in stage shows and competitively. Upon graduating from the University of Iowa, Megan continued her performing career at Walt Disney World in Florida, where she danced in countless parades and shows for Guests of all ages in all four of Disney’s theme parks. Eventually, Megan moved into a behind-the-scenes role as an Entertainment Manager for live entertainment offerings in the Magic Kingdom, including character meet-and-greets, fireworks, and stage shows. In this role, Megan found her passion for enriching the lives of the people she works with and helping them achieve their potential, and thus began her transition into a career in Human Resources for media and entertainment organizations.
Megan has spent the last decade of her life working as a Human Resources Business Partner for multiple media organizations, including POLITICO, The New York Times, The Walt Disney Company and Dotdash Meredith. In her current capacity, Megan is a fierce advocate for representation in media, not just in the various mediums that audiences consume, but also inside of the companies she serves. She has a Master’s in Human Resources from Georgetown University.
As a BRT board of trustees member, Megan combines her roots as a performer with her passion for making the arts accessible to all.
Amy Kaissar has been affiliated with BRT in one way or another since 2009. She was the Managing Director from 2009-2014, a trustee from 2015-2020, and now Co Producing Director since 2020.
Outside of BRT, she was the lead producer of Shake and Bake: Love’s Labour’s Lost (Drama Desk Nom) and Midsummer: A Banquet (Drama Desk Nom), Producer of Telephone (“Inspired and utterly original” – Ben Brantley, NYT), and Co-Producer of The Heidi Chronicles on Broadway (starring Elisabeth Moss, Jason Biggs, and Bryce Pinkham). She was part of the financing team of the Broadway productions of Fun Home (5 Tony Awards including Best Musical), and Shuffle Along (10 Tony nominations) and the Off Broadway production of Fiddler on the Roof, in Yiddish (winner Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards). From 1999 – 2008, she was also the Producing Director of Epiphany Theater Company, which she co-founded to assist the work of early career theatre artists. At Epiphany, Kaissar supported the work of over 200 emerging artists, among them the future winners Tony, Richard Rodgers, Jonathan Larson, and other prestigious awards.
In her first stint at BRT, as Managing Director from 2009-2014, she restructured the company, leading to a doubling of overall revenue, a 35% increase in subscribership and the erasure of the accumulated deficit. In 2017 she served as Interim Managing Director at Philadelphia Theatre Company, setting the stage for their successful turnaround after many years in financial distress.
Kaissar holds a BFA in Directing from Carnegie Mellon University and an MFA in Producing from Columbia University where she was a Dean’s Fellow, Presidential Scholar, and Rudin Foundation Fellow. She has been on the faculties of Penn and Columbia Universities and has enjoyed guest lecturing at NYU, Carnegie Mellon, and The University of the Arts.
She is a current or previous board member of The Bucks County Arts and Culture Council, The Bucks County Commissioner’s Economic Development Committee, The Bristol Borough Strategic and Economic Development Committee, Bristol Riverside Theatre and Third Rail Projects.
Ken Kaissar became BRT’s Co-Producing Director in 2020, having worked at the theatre as a playwright, developing many of his plays in BRT’s America Rising program. At BRT, he recently directed Clue and A Few Good Men and he wrote the play A Leg Up which kicked off the 2022-23 season. He has worked at The Goodman Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre, and the Rattlestick Playwrights Theater. His plays have been performed or developed by the Philadelphia Theatre Company, Delaware Theatre Company, Phoenix Theatre Company, Fusion Theatre Company, Wordsmyth Theater Company, Jewish Repertory Theatre, Urban Stages and Passage Theatre. His play The Victims or What do You Want Me To Do About It (published by McFarland & Company, Inc.) was developed by Golden Thread Productions and Silk Road Rising. His adaptation of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales was commissioned by Columbia University. His other plays include A Modest Suggestion (available on Amazon), Liberal Arts and Weekend at Betty’s. He holds a BFA in directing from Carnegie Mellon University and an MFA in playwriting from Columbia University. Ken is also the the host of the podcast The Audition Helper available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you get podcasts.
Victoria Rae Padgett is a two-time drama desk award nominee as the Artistic Director of Food of Love Productions. A member of AEA, SAG-AFTRA, and an SDC Associate favorite shows include Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Mamma Mia. She’s on the overhire list at The Public Theatre and often choreographs for the ON-Comm-Award-winning, The Show Must Go Online. Most recently she raised funds for the Tony Award Winning revival of Company and directed and choreographed Carrie for Tantrum Theatre at Ohio University.
Susan Rosner brings over four decades of entrepreneurial and business acumen to her role on the Board of Trustees of the Bristol Riverside Theater. Her passion for theater was kindled at an early age when her father’s dry-cleaning business served Joe Papp’s Shakespearean theater and later, many Broadway shows. This connection provided Susan with director’s seats to numerous productions, fostering a lifelong love for the stage.
As a managing partner at Calder Associates, Susan specializes in mergers and acquisitions for the lower mid-market. Her expertise spans strategy development, finance, marketing, and complex project management. Before founding Calder Associates in 2002, Susan has held executive positions at renowned companies including Rohm and Haas, Xerox, The Tribune, USA Networks, and American Management Association.
Susan has been an active member of the local business community for many years. In 2012, she served as Chair of the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce. In addition, she has conducted over 100 seminars on leadership and business strategy, and has led CEO think tanks.
Susan holds an MBA in Marketing from The George Washington University and an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Adelphi University. She is also a Certified Coach through the Neuroscience Institute, specializing in leadership science.
Susan is excited to leverage her business expertise and love of theater to ensure that Bristol Riverside Theater continues to deliver on its mission and provide high-quality, professional entertainment to the community.
Rich and Eileen live in Upper Makefield Township and has lived in Bucks County for many years.Rich is a Wealth Manager and Senior Investment Strategist at The Philadelphia Trust Company. Prior to that he has worked in Princeton and the Philadelphia Main Line in similar Investment related positions. His New York roots keep him rooting for New York sports teams and enjoying Broadway. His attachment to terrific Bucks County led him to BRT and their terrific team and theatre.
Keith has enjoyed a long relationship with Bristol Riverside Theatre; first as a performer on the BRT stage and then serving as a Trustee and officer since 2018.
Keith is Vice President of Global Customer Success for the fintech company, Corcentric, a global provider of business spend and revenue management software and services. For over twenty-plus years, Keith has held multiple executive leadership roles for consulting and professional services companies; leading and transforming organizations, post-merger and acquisition.
Over the past fifteen years, his production company, Enspire Productions, has produced countless culturally-relevant concert programs and helped raise funds for student education and organizations such as The Father Center, The Peace Center, and First Tee. Currently, Enspire is focused on producing performances that highlight the African American cultural experience. Keith remains passionate about the importance of arts education and performance for younger audiences.
Keith lives in Dresher, PA with his wife and three children. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and an EMBA from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business.
Ron Walker joins the BRT board of trustees as a lifelong resident of Bristol, where he resides with his wife, Veronica, raised his two daughters and continues to be passionate about Bristol thriving as both a historical and cultural nucleus of Bucks County. Ron has been a supporter of BRT since its inception, and he is consistently found taking in performances with his family. He has had the pleasure of experiencing one of his own grandchildren performing on stage.
After a 45 year career with Allied Electronics Inc., Ron retired as President of the company, a position he held since 1993, where he was instrumental in shaping Allied’s growth and technological innovation of the petroleum industry. Ron is also founding partner of UV-Blocker, a company he founded in 2005 that specializes in UV-Blocking protection products.
Ron’s community engagements further instill his connection to the success of Bristol. He is an active board member of Bristol’s Raising the Bar, an initiative that has achieved considerable success and has elicited national acclaim. Additionally, Ron is an active Bristol Lions Club member, having previously served as president. He is on the Business Advisory Board of Bucks County Community College, where he advises on curriculum development, and he is a trustee with the Bristol Borough Education Fund, an organization that financially supports programs not supported by school budgets. He has also served in a variety of capacities within St. Mark’s School and community medical facilities.
Ron is excited for his role with BRT and he looks forward to tapping into his vast business and community leadership to continue the Theater’s significance to Bristol’s vitality.
John B. Means, Ph.D.
Honorary Trustee
Carol Mignoni Ferguson
Founding Board President