2019/20 LOCAL LEGEND
Our 2019/20 Local Legend is Dianne Christensen in honor of Sandra Gaijic.
“As CEO, Sandra brought so much to us. She was an inclusionary leader, changing our systems with input from everyone. We are now on a path to sustainability with our whole team working together. Sandra was a gift to Overture. She is a Local Legend.”
2018/19 LOCAL LEGENDS
The 2018/19 Local Legends are Norman and Barbara Mittelstaedt Berven, Vance and Jody Tang, and Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison. They challenge the Madison community to match their collective gift of $300,000 to support Overture’s operations and programs.
Norman Berven and Barbara Mittelstaedt Berven
The Bervens supported many of Overture’s community programs with their Local Legends gift, including the Galleries, Rising Stars, and Overture’s diversity and inclusion initiatives.
“Art in all its forms is transformative… it shapes the way we see the world and it’s so enriching and we would just want that experience for everyone.”
Dan Brown of Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison
Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison have been dedicated supporters of Frostiball and International Festival for many years. In 2019 they chose to elevate their support to become Local Legends.
“What the Overture and what the performing arts bring to a community is something that we want to be a part of.”
Vance and Jody Tang
The Tangs are two-time Local Legends, first supporting Overture at that level in 2018 and then again in 2019. Their 2019 gift supports the restoration of the Capitol Theater’s 90+ year old Grand Barton Organ, to ensure that it can play for another 90 years.
“We support the arts because it creates a thriving community of creative people and ideas.”
2017/18 Local Legends
The 2017/18 Local Legends, donors who lead by example in their extraordinary support of the arts and community engagement, are especially dedicated to providing arts access to Madison’s young people. The Connor Hughes Family, Betty Harris Custer and Custer Financial Services, Old National Bank, Jack and Sarah Salzwedel, Charles and Barbara Saeman and Vance and Jody Tang challenge the Madison community to match their collective gift of $600,000 to Overture’s community programs.
The Connor Hughes Family
Anne Connor feels especially close to the Overture Center. Her nature gallery and gift shop is just across the street. She sees firsthand how Overture benefits downtown and the greater Madison community and how those businesses benefit Overture in return. It’s a nurturing relationship that means success for all. She and her sister Linda Hughes, along with their husbands Tim Connor & John Hughes, consider their support an investment in the future for Madison and for the generations to come. As Overture has expanded its events and programming, the Connor and Hughes families also have increased their gifts.
Betty Harris Custer and Custer Financial Services
Betty Harris Custer, current president of the Overture Center Foundation Board of Directors, has worked in financial planning for over 47 years, as founder in 1981 of her own firm, Custer Financial Services (CFS), and as senior management for several nationwide firms. In 2017, Custer Financial Services became Custer Plumb Financial Services, where Betty continues in her Managing Partner role. J. Corkey Custer, Betty’s husband, has worked with Custer Financial Services for 29 years, continuing in his Managing Partner role when the firm became Custer Plumb Financial Services in 2017.
Old National Bank
At Old National, diversity and inclusion are part of our core values. We support Overture Center as they extend access to the arts and create experiences that inspire, provoke and bring joy. Throughout our 184+ year history, we have been committed to making our community thrive. The arts are indispensable to that goal. We are thrilled to be the title sponsor for Overture’s High School Musical Awards program to celebrate the talent and potential of young people throughout Wisconsin and to bring people together.
Jack and Sarah Salzwedel
Jack Salzwedel is chairman and chief executive officer of American Family Insurance and his wife, Sarah, is President of the Board of Directors of Friends of UW Health. A native of DeForest, Wis., Jack began his career with American Family in 1983 as a claim adjuster.
Charles and Barbara Saeman
Charles L. Saeman is currently the President and Chairman of the Holding Company and Chairman of the Board of the State Bank of Cross Plains. He is on the board of Overture Center Foundation and is a past president. Saeman and his wife, Barbara, have been Broadway at Overture subscribers for years.
Vance and Jody Tang
Vance Tang is the owner and consultant at VanTegrity Consulting, which focuses on business strategy, leadership culture, organization development, and executive coaching. He and his wife became a Local Legend to engage with the Madison community.
2016/17 Local Legends
- Exact Sciences Corporation
- Judith and Nick Topitzes
- Sandy and Jun Lee
- Anonymous Couple in Honor of Glenda Noel-Ney and Tim Sauers
- Anonymous Couple in Support of OCA
2015/16 Local Legends
- Jim & Sue Bakke
- Diane Endres Ballweg
- Jim Imhoff & Kitty Kuhl
- Jonathan & Susan Lipp
- Tom & Peggy Pyle
2014/15 Local Legends
2013/14 Local Legends
2012/13 Local Legends
Support Overture
Questions? Contact:
Emily Gruenewald
Chief Development and Communications Officer
608.258.4157
egruenewald@overture.org
Judy Ham
Director of Individual Giving
608.443.1733
jham@overture.org
