Staff

Jan Feldman, Executive Director
jfeldman@law-arts.org
(312) 837-3518

Jan Feldman became Executive Director of Lawyers for the Creative Arts in 2014, following positions on the Board and Executive Committee where he led the organization’s fundraising efforts for most of the preceding decade. Since becoming Executive Director, he has overseen the expansion of LCA’s educational programming, through workshops, clinics and services to assist arts groups on issues ranging from nonprofit governance, financial planning, and sexual harassment prevention. In 2022, Musical America Worldwide named Mr. Feldman to its Top Professionals of the Year list for LCA’s work in responding to the challenges of the pandemic through “game changing innovation.”

During his pre-LCA career, Mr. Feldman held board president positions on several non-profit arts boards, including the People’s Music School, Arts Bridge and Mostly Music Chicago. He assisted those organizations in navigating challenging funding periods as well as transitions in their staff leadership.

Mr. Feldman is a 1981 graduate of Northwestern University Law School and holds a M.A. in Philosophy from the University of Minnesota. During his legal career as a commercial litigator, he handled national litigation for companies in Intellectual Property, environmental and high tech areas of construction disputes. He was a partner most recently in the law firm Perkins Coie, and before that in Phelan, Pope & John and Holleb & Coff.

Credit: Jon Allegretto

Elsa Hiltner, Director of Programs
ehiltner@law-arts.org
​(312) 837-3517

Elsa brings a wealth of experience in the performing arts community to LCA. She began in theater as a costume designer and she has worked in various capacities for Collaboraction theater, including her prior position as head of Development. Along the way, Elsa developed insights into many of the structural challenges facing arts organizations and arts workers, and she has devoted her time and passion to making a difference. In particular, she has worked hard to create progress in the challenging area of pay equity. She has a national reputation as an arts advocate, based on her essays in industry publications, speaking on panels, and creating pay equity tools and resources for arts organizations.

Credit: Joel Maisonet

Daryl A. Ritchie, Director of Operations
dritchie@law-arts.org
​(312) 837-3519

Daryl is currently completing their Master’s in Performing Arts Administration at Roosevelt University. They hold a Bachelor’s degree in Communications with a focus on Theater Production from Tennessee State University. A lifelong learner and passionate advocate for the arts’ ability to build community, Daryl has earned multiple certificates from the University of South Florida Muma College of Business, including “Inclusive and Ethical Leadership” and “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace.” They also hold a “Financial Success for Nonprofits” certificate from Cornell University and are currently completing a certificate in “Change Management.”

Daryl has worked extensively with the Harriet Tubman Effect Institute, a human resource center and institute for justice advocacy research. Additionally, they served on the board of Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, where they previously held positions as Company Manager and Executive Director. Daryl also served as the Executive Assistant and Financial Officer at The Den Theatre.

Diana Muhammad, Community Education Coordinator
dmuhammad@law-arts.org

Diana Muhammad is a 2017 graduate of the DePaul University College of Law and holds a B.S. in Education. A Chicago native, she was trained in classical piano and voice at Doralyn Academy of Music and danced with the Debra Richards Dancers. During her undergraduate studies, she directed the DePaul Gospel Choir and was an All-Conference, record holding member of the track and field team. Diana’s 14 years of experience as an educator includes: middle school language arts and history teacher for Chicago Public Schools, Instructional Coach for District 97 and Curriculum Director at Right At School. She has worked with many community and arts organizations such as After School Matters, the Najwa Dance Corps, and DADA Dance Connection. Diana is the Managing Director of the Move Me Soul Dance Company, which provides training in dance, music and spoken word to at risk teens.