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Staff & Board
Our Staff
John David Mooney
Founder & Artistic Director
John David Mooney is an internationally recognized sculptor and environmental artist known for transforming public spaces with large-scale works that integrate architecture, urban planning, and history. Renowned for his innovative use of light, his sculptures have illuminated skylines and reimagined iconic landmarks worldwide. He has brought international artists to Chicago, showcasing their work in special exhibitions, giving the opportunity for interaction and dialogue with the Chicago arts community. He has opened up opportunities for young Chicago artists to new visions and perspectives from abroad.
Stella Moon
Administrative Associate
​Stella Moon joined the John David Mooney Foundation as Administrative Associate in February 2025. She earned her MFA in Sculpture from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and her BFA from the University of Notre Dame. Stella is a sculptor and installation artist who works primarily with paper and explores themes of ritual, meditation, and mathematics.
Mia Reynes
Apprentice
Mia Reynes joined the John David Mooney Foundation as an Arts Administration Apprentice following her graduation with a BA in Integrated Visual Studies from Colorado State University in 2024. As an emerging ceramics artist, Mia's creative practice delves into the exploration of architectural forms and interior design-inspired pieces, examining the interplay between functionality and ornament. Beyond ceramics, her interdisciplinary passion spans textile arts, fashion, event planning, and community engagement—areas she aspires to synthesize into a cohesive artistic career.
Jake Wright
Apprentice
Jake Knolles Wright joined the John David Mooney Foundation as a Post-Graduate Apprentice after earning his BFA from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 2023. An emerging artist and designer, he explores a range of creative disciplines, including stained glass, photography, and fashion. In addition to his independent practice, Jake works as a Stylist at Buck Mason, where he brings his eye for design and craftsmanship into the world of menswear.
Jordan Busch-Lawm
Archivist
Jordan Busch-Lawm first joined the John David Mooney Foundation team as an archivist in August of 2024 as part of his practicum for his MLIS program through Dominican University. Following completion of the practicum and after falling in love with the foundation and its history, Jordan decided to join the team full-time. A true archivist, he enjoys history, reading, and, above all else, stories. The opportunity to tell the story of the foundation is one for which he is grateful.
Our Board of Trustees
Brian Havel
President
Brian Havel is a distinguished research professor of law, director of the International & Comparative Law Program, and director of the International Aviation Law Institute. Professor Havel holds master’s degrees in law from University College Dublin and Columbia University Law School, as well as a master’s degree in languages and linguistics from Trinity College Dublin and a doctoral degree in international and comparative law from Columbia.
Kathy Riemer
Vice President
Kathy Riemer is owner/president of Full Circle Communications-AZ, LLC, a consulting firm that provides a broad range of services to clients from foundations to small businesses to Fortune 100 firms. In addition to working as a board member of the JDMF, she volunteers as a docent for the Cave Creek Museum in AZ.
Thaddeus Jones
Secretary
Thaddeus Jones, a media specialist who contributes to the Vatican's communications outreach with news and information. He is the son of the late Barbara Jones, who helped found the John David Mooney Foundation.
Chuck Smith
Member
Chuck Smith is the Goodman Family Resident Director, Board of Trustees member and resident director at the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. He also served as dramaturg for the Goodman’s world-premiere of August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean. Mr. Smith is an Emmy Award-winner, a recipient of the Paul Robeson Award and was the 2001 Chicago Tribune Chicagoan of the Year.
Andrew Griffin
Member
Dr. Andrew Griffin has been with the University of Illinois for the last decade and has served as the Chief of Pediatric cardiology at Loyola School of Medicine and Rush University. He is the past chairperson of Pediatrics at Advocate/Illinois Masonic, and was Director of the Heart Institute for Children at Hope Children's Hospital prior to his return to the University of Illinois.
Stephen Schlegel
Member
Mr. Stephen Schlegel, a lifetime resident of Chicago and practicing attorney for 55 years, has served the Foundation as a board member and previously as outside counsel, for over 25 years. He is also a past Director of the Luminarts Cultural Foundation at the Union League Club, a past chair of the Friends of the Forest Preserves, and a continuing officer and Trustee of the Union League Boys and Girls Clubs.
Jaak Jürisson
Member
Jaak Jürisson is an architect and has been an Adjunct Associate Professor at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago since 2001. He is a recipient of the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. He collaborated with John David Mooney on a large-scale sculptural installation in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, for an international conference of astronomers from the University of Oxford.
Suki Dewey
Member
Suki Dewey, a long time friend of the JDMFoundation, is one of the newest members of the board. She is an artist, an activist, a world traveler and a member of the board at the Goodman theatre.
Albert Goodman
Member
Mr. Albert Ivar Goodman is a world traveler with an MBA from the University of Southern California. He is the Honorary Chairman of the Goodman Theatre in downtown Chicago and the owner of the largest collection of post-WWII twentieth century Vietnamese Art in America. Mr. Goodman holds a Certified Private Pilot License for both land and sea planes, and currently holds a Managing Broker Real Estate License in Illinois.
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