Staff

Administration

Robert C. Ericksen

Full-time: Artistic/Executive Director, Founder

Duties: Supervision of staff and artists; board and committee liaison; design and production of public information, materials, art work, newspaper, program documentation and development, grant writing, and facility maintenance.

Biography: Robert received his MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan and his BFA from the University of Washington, Seattle. He is a co-founder of the Sun Foundation, professional photographer, painter, and metalsmith. His work has been exhibited in both national and state galleries. He is the producer and photographer for films and exhibits documenting the Blackfeet Native American Tribe. He is a former assistant professor at Chicago City College, Everett Washington College, and Eureka College.  Bob was a recipient of the 2013 Arts Partners Award.

Joan Root Ericksen

Full-time: Development Director, Founder

Duties: Research, development and implementation of programs and financial resources, supervision of staff and volunteers, website maintenance, program committees, and staff coordinator.

Biography:  Joan has received her MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan and her B.S. in Education from Northern Illinois University. She has also studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, Sorbonne University of Paris, France, and The Gladys Heights International Ballet Conservatory. She is a professional painter and poet and has exhibited her work in both national and state galleries. She is the co-producer and writer for films and exhibits documenting the Blackfeet Native American Tribe. She is the author of the book “The Four Little Pigs,” a book about R. Buckminster Fuller and “Pink Jelly,” a book of poetry illustrated by Kinji Akagawa. She is a former assistant professor at Chicago City College and an instructor at the Cranbrook Academy of Art Children’s Program.  Recipient of the 2013 Arts Partners Award. Joan was a LAN council member for two terms, 2010-2014.

Brett Root Ericksen

Part-time: Program Director, Wildlife and Habitat Restoration Director, Site Manager

Duties: Naturalist and Art and Science in the Woods Program Director, Supervision and selection of staff, facility and workshop preparation, restoring and enhancing animal habitat and facilities and medical emergency advisor, as well as fundraising.

Biography:  Brett has studied for 12 years at the Tom Brown Jr. Tracker/Wilderness School and has taken mentoring courses at the Jon Young Wilderness Awareness School. He is a graduate of the SOLO Wilderness Emergency School in Conway, NH. He is a Certified Wilderness EMT, and has completed 425 hours at the Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Studies, Boulder, CO. He is the director of the Aboriginal Survival Arts Program. Brett is the Blue Heron Farm manager and Wildlife Conservation Reserve director. He is the owner of Southern Flight Outfitters.

Sharon Obery

Art and Science in the Woods Program Coordinator

Duties: Coordinates Art and Science in the Woods

Biography:  Sharon Obery has been the program coordinator for Art and Science in the Woods since 1998. Before that she participated as a teaching assistant for five years. She is a retired librarian from the Cullom-Davis Library at Bradley University in Peoria. Sharon is an ardent supporter of the arts and environmental education, and is committed to sharing the vision of the Sun Foundation with as many people as possible. Contact Sharon at sharon@sunfoundation.org. Sharon generously donates her time and talent for the Art and Science in the Woods Program program.

Karen Zuckerman

Clean Water Celebration Envirommental Classroom Committee Chair and Coordinator

Biography: Karen Zuckerman coordinates the Sun Foundation Clean Water Celebration and chairs the Navigating Committee for the event. Karen is a retired educator who taught middle school for 45 years including visual arts, the sciences and engineering. She has held leadership roles, serving on the boards of the Environmental Education Association of Illinois, Illinois Science Teachers Association and the Sun Foundation. Her passion lies with empowering youth and caring for our planet and its resources.

Nicole Davis

Bookkeeper and Office Manager

Contracted Services

Kris Lukehart CPA, Steven D. Greim & Company P.C. 

Accounting Services

Lee Ann Conrad

Executive Assistant

Josephine Depauw Darko

Grant Writer