2026 Presenters
Timm Higus is an attorney with Miller, Hall & Triggs, where his practice focuses on school law, municipal law, real estate and business law. Before becoming a lawyer, Timm spent ten years as a public school music teacher, an experience that continues to shape his approach to legal work and his understanding of the creative and educational communities. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Elmhurst College and his Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where he served in leadership roles with the Education Law and Policy Society and the Journal of Regulatory Compliance. Timm is licensed to practice law in Illinois and is active in the Peoria County and and Illinois associations.
Timm Higus
Business Foundations Panelist
Ross guides entrepreneurs that are looking to scale product-based businesses nationally and globally through his company Sherpa Enterprises, LLC. He currently is involved in investor relations and business strategy as part of the Legal team of Natural Fiber Welding (NFW). NFW produces proprietary eco-friendly materials for the fashion and automotive industries.
Previously, Ross spent 19+ years advising local businesses at the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bradley University. During that time he advised over 3500 clients and was connected with 300+ startups and 15 acquisitions. He taught innovation courses in the Foster College of Business as well as co-founded Brave Launch, a business accelerator.
Ross also has experience in web development and advertising, working with Global 500 manufacturers and small businesses throughout the US. Ross has a core belief that supporting artists in the region is the best way to maintain and develop a unique community culture that makes the Greater Peoria Area a desirable place to live.
Ross Miller
Business Foundations Panelist
Eric Sampson, Director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bradley University, advises individuals who want to start a business or expand existing businesses. Guidance provided includes developing business and marketing plans, creating financial projections, addressing business formation issues, and obtaining financing. Eric also assists owners and managers of existing small businesses to identify solutions to business related problems, to examine strategic opportunities, expand their product portfolios, and enhance or diversify their sales efforts.
Eric brings a diverse background in finance, marketing, technology entrepreneurship, and real estate and investment management. He previously served as the CFO and Chief Trading Officer of Edgewater Trading, Inc. His areas of concentration include advising entrepreneurs and local small business owners toward capital funding options, market expansion and improved profitability, and supporting growth, hiring, and competitiveness through innovative and effective strategies.
Eric received a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Bradley University. He is a Certified Business Development Advisor and member of the Illinois Entrepreneurship and Small Business Growth Association (IESBGA) and is Certified with GrowthWheel International, Inc. Eric serves as an organizer of 1 Million Cups, host of entrepreneurship and start-up networking events in Peoria.
Eric Sampson
Business Foundations Panelist
Jeffery’s artistic journey began with formal training in photography and print, leading to a decade mastering visual communication in graphic arts and advertising. His transformative studies at Washington’s Cascade Photo Academy reignited a passion for the camera’s power to create meaningful human connections.
For over twenty years, Jeffery has turned his lens toward the vibrant worlds of culinary arts, craft spirits, and music—collaborating with acclaimed chefs, winemakers, distillers, and musicians. His distinctive visual storytelling has attracted partnerships with iconic brands including Caterpillar, RAM Trucks, and Mike Rowe’s Dirty Jobs franchise.
At heart, Jeffery remains driven by fundamental truth: every person, product, and place has a story worth telling beautifully and memorably. Whether shooting for global brands or local artisans, he brings the same commitment—to transform ordinary moments into extraordinary visual narratives that resonate.
jeffery noble
Professional Photographer
Elsa brings a wealth of experience in the performing arts community to Lawyers for the Creative Arts. 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.
elsa hiltner
Copyright Basics for Creatives: Lawyers for the Creative Arts
A musician, attorney, and passionate advocate for creative communities. Weston began his career in the arts, earning degrees in Music Performance and Music Business from Millikin University before professionally performing as a musician. His experiences in the industry inspired him to pursue a law degree at the John Marshall Law School (now UIC School of Law), with a focus on supporting artists and creative professionals.
Weston went on to develop innovative programs for artists and attorneys alike at California Lawyers for the Arts, before joining the legal teams at tech platforms like Patreon and Discord. There, he built and managed intellectual property and legal response initiatives, spoke on national panels, and worked with policymakers to shape a more artist-friendly internet. With deep experience at the intersection of the arts, law, and technology, Weston brings both practical insight and heartfelt dedication to his role as Legal Services Director.
weston dombroski
Copyright Basics for Creatives: Lawyers for the Creative Arts
A musician, attorney, and passionate advocate for creative communities. Weston began his career in the arts, earning degrees in Music Performance and Music Business from Millikin University before professionally performing as a musician. His experiences in the industry inspired him to pursue a law degree at the John Marshall Law School (now UIC School of Law), with a focus on supporting artists and creative professionals.
Weston went on to develop innovative programs for artists and attorneys alike at California Lawyers for the Arts, before joining the legal teams at tech platforms like Patreon and Discord. There, he built and managed intellectual property and legal response initiatives, spoke on national panels, and worked with policymakers to shape a more artist-friendly internet. With deep experience at the intersection of the arts, law, and technology, Weston brings both practical insight and heartfelt dedication to his role as Legal Services Director.
sarah eckstine
Sky Art Peoria: Affiliate Instructor, Photography, Bradley University
Angela Risinger is an artist specializing in relief printmaking. She likes to explore the texture and patterns that she achieves through carving. Her work primarily focuses on birds and their behavior. She strives to capture the personality of each bird that she creates. In addition to birds, Angela explores other themes within nature, such as botanical works.
Angela is currently the Gallery Administrator for the Peoria Art Guild. She is also the printmaking instructor and teaches relief printmaking classes there. Her work has been featured in exhibitions nationally and internationally.
angela risinger
Applying for Exhibitions: Peoria Art Guild
John Heintzman is a visual artist. His art practice centers on mark-making using varied techniques from graphite, torn paper and non-traditional materials to create collage installations. His commitment to abstraction involves repetitive processes of composition and deconstruction, inviting viewers to engage with interplay of form and meaning. He has exhibited nationally and internationally and published several catalogues and articles on contemporary art and artists.
Heintzman has also served as Director of University Galleries at Bradley University. His curatorial experiences have been at Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences, Bradley University and currently at the Peoria Art Guild.
His curatorial projects have been both nationally and internationally recognized. He and his brother have published two art portfolios featuring local, national and international artists.
john heintzman
Applying for Exhibitions: Peoria Art Guild
Bio Forthcoming!
john gawlik
Funding & Grants Support: Illinois Arts Council
Elise is the Lakeview Branch Manager at Peoria Public Library, a member of the ILA Diversity Committee and ILA Diversity Committee Mentorship Liaison. Before becoming a librarian, Elise was a Certified Professional Governess and began her library career as a children’s librarian. She still presents a regular storytime which is usually the highlight of her week.
Elise lives with her husband and two dogs, George and Henry. In her free time she enjoys cross stitch, world building in Minecraft, and spending time with her niece and nephew.
elise hearn
Explore Library Resources: Peoria Public Library
Joshua Davis-Ruperto has served as Executive Director of the Illinois Arts Council (IAC) since 2017, following previous roles as the agency’s Deputy Director and Program Manager. Under his leadership, the IAC underwent a comprehensive redesign, including staff reorganization, restructured granting opportunities, and a revamp of its website and marketing strategies. His efforts led to a 500% increase in the agency’s budget and, in partnership with Arts Alliance Illinois, the creation of the Illinois Creative Caucus.
Prior to his work with the IAC, Joshua taught undergraduate courses at Brandeis University, worked in development at Steppenwolf Theatre, and contributed to urban planning projects for the architecture firm SOM. At the National Endowment for the Arts, he helped run the Education Leaders Institute, a national initiative aimed at strengthening arts education through collaboration with legislators and policy leaders.
Joshua is also a Jeff Award winning accomplished theater artist, having performed with companies such as the Berkshire Theatre Festival, Goodman Theatre, and Chicago’s Second City.
His board and committee service includes Arts Midwest, Ruckus Theater, Tympanic Theatre, the Chicago Inclusion Project, Windy City Performing Arts, and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree from Brandeis University.
joshua davis-ruperto
Keynote Speaker: Illinois Arts Council
Vicki joined Illinois Humanities in October 2022. Prior to this she was the Controller for The Joffrey Ballet. Vicki has over 25 years of Non-Profit accounting experience working with various Arts and Cultural institutions over her career. Vicki currently serves on a quarterly panel where she shares real world experiences in the Non-Profit Finance field to students enrolled in the Non-Profit Management and Principles Class at DePaul University. In her spare time Vicki likes to travel and explore various National Parks with her husband, three children and her dog Cody.
vicki garza
Budgeting for Artists and Creatives: Illinois Humanities
Megan Lewis, AICP, has more than 30 years of experience in project management, organizational development, strategic planning, relationship building, and project concepting. At Arts Alliance she oversees the Public Funding Navigator program, which conducts research and provides technical support to Illinois’s creative sector. A certified urban planner, Megan brings her ability to understand the important connection that the arts and culture sector has for community health and vitality. She holds a BA in economics from Indiana University and master’s in regional planning from the University of Pennsylvania.
megan lewis
How Public Funding Works in Illinois: Arts Alliance Illinois
Sasha oversees the Alliance’s expansion into policy, advocacy and resource development to increase the economic stability of Illinois artists and creative workers. Her previous experience with nationally recognized workforce organizations such as Cara Collective, Chicagoland Healthcare Workforce Collaborative, and Talent Rewire focused on systems-level improvements from employer policy & practice change to public/private cross-sector partnerships, all aimed at lowering barriers to strengthen workers and small businesses. Sasha holds an Economics degree from DePaul University and is a 2019 Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Fellow with the Chicagoland Workforce Leadership Academy. She also currently serves as board chair for Northwest Center in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood. In her spare time, Sasha performs at open mics as a piano/vocalist, enjoys being an aunt, and hiking with her pitbull.
sasha ongtengco
Advocacy in the Arts Ecosystem: Arts Alliance Illinois
Brittany Richmond is an award-winning speaker, bestselling author, and nationally recognized mental health expert who has built a full-time speaking career from the ground up! With over a decade of experience connecting with audiences, Brittany has mastered the art of authentic self-promotion by using storytelling, social media, and live speaking to grow her brand and impact thousands nationwide. She brings a relatable, no-fluff approach that helps creatives confidently share their work and get noticed.
brittany richmond
Marketing Yourself as an Artist: Award Winning Speaker, Author & Aspiring 80s Rock Star
Special Thanks To:
foster jacob
illinois central college
illinois humanities
troxell insurance
busey bank
kidder music
zion coffee co.
with additional support from:
