Meet Our Leadership Team
Explore the leadership shaping stronger organizations and communities.
Distinguished Leaders, Shared Purpose & Collective Impact
At Follman Arts Consulting, we believe the most meaningful work is accomplished through collaboration. While every engagement is personally led by Founder and CEO Robin Follman, our clients also benefit from the knowledge and experience of a distinguished Leadership Team whose collective expertise spans executive leadership, constitutional law, civic education, higher education, public policy, arts administration, historical interpretation, and community engagement.
Guided by Experience, Driven by Purpose
Together, we bring decades of leadership experience across business, education, government, the arts, and nonprofit organizations, providing clients with a unique depth of perspective rarely found within a single consulting practice. Each member of our Leadership Team shares a common commitment:
- To educate.
- To inspire.
- To lead with integrity.
- To strengthen the communities we serve.
The Power of Collective Leadership
Robin Follman
Founder & CEO,
Follman Arts Consulting
From Boardroom to Center Stage
Robin Follman is an internationally acclaimed dramatic soprano, executive leader, producer, educator, entrepreneur, and Founder & CEO of Follman Arts Consulting. For more than three decades, she has built organizations, developed innovative programs, produced professional performances, and created educational and civic initiatives that enrich communities through leadership, education, innovation, and the arts.
Throughout her distinguished career, Robin has earned recognition for her ability to unite strategic leadership with creative vision. As an artistic director, producer, and educator, she has developed arts organizations, designed educational programming, mentored emerging artists, and produced professional theatrical, concert, and recording projects. Her commitment to using the arts as a catalyst for education, civic engagement, and community connection continues to shape her work today.
Robin's leadership extends beyond the performing arts. As President and CEO of multiple organizations spanning business, manufacturing, nonprofit management, and the arts, she guided strategic planning, organizational growth, financial stewardship, and cross-sector collaboration. These experiences strengthened her belief that successful organizations are built through visionary leadership, meaningful partnerships, innovation, and a commitment to serving others.
Today, through Follman Arts Consulting, Robin partners with businesses, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, museums, and cultural organizations to transform ideas into action. Whether developing strategic initiatives, producing professional performances, designing educational programs, integrating artificial intelligence, or building collaborative partnerships, she helps clients create organizations and experiences that inspire audiences, strengthen communities, and leave a lasting public impact.
Robin's leadership has been recognized by respected organizations across business, education, manufacturing, and the arts, reflecting a career defined by innovation, collaboration, and service. She believes the most successful organizations are those that invest in people, embrace creativity, and work together to create meaningful change for future generations.
Helping Organizations Thrive
Every organization has unique challenges, opportunities, and aspirations. Robin believes the most successful organizations are those that align visionary leadership with thoughtful strategy, meaningful collaboration, and a commitment to serving their communities.
Working alongside executive teams, nonprofit leaders, educators, museum professionals, arts organizations, and civic partners, Robin helps clients transform ideas into sustainable programs, successful initiatives, and measurable results.
Whether launching a new educational program, producing a professional performance, developing a strategic plan, strengthening community partnerships, or integrating artificial intelligence into organizational workflows, every engagement is tailored to the client's mission, culture, and long-term goals.
More than a consultant, Robin becomes a trusted collaborator—helping organizations move confidently from vision to implementation while building the leadership, partnerships, and organizational capacity necessary for long-term success.
Judge Jim P. Gray (Ret.)
Senior Strategic Advisor
Constitutional Literacy • Civic Education • Public Leadership
Justice, Leadership & Civic Responsibility
Judge Jim P. Gray (Ret.) is one of America's leading voices for constitutional literacy, civic education, and informed citizenship. Throughout a distinguished career spanning public service, judicial leadership, authorship, and education, he has dedicated his life's work to helping Americans better understand the Constitution, the principles of self-government, and the responsibilities that accompany freedom.
A graduate of the United States Naval Academy and UCLA School of Law, Judge Gray served for more than twenty-five years as a California Superior Court Judge, earning national respect for his thoughtful leadership, integrity, and commitment to justice. Following his judicial career, he emerged as a nationally recognized author, educator, public speaker, and advocate for strengthening civic understanding through education and public dialogue.
Believing that democracy depends upon an informed and engaged citizenry, Judge Gray has authored numerous books exploring constitutional government, public policy, justice reform, leadership, and civic responsibility. His work has inspired audiences across the country to move beyond political division and rediscover the enduring principles upon which the United States was founded.
Recognizing that history is most powerful when it is experienced rather than simply studied, Judge Gray has expanded his educational mission into the performing arts. As creator of the original musicals Americans All and Convention: The Birth of America, he has pioneered an innovative approach to civic education that combines history, music, and storytelling to engage audiences of all ages in meaningful conversations about the American experiment.
As Senior Strategic Advisor for Follman Arts Consulting, Judge Gray provides leadership in constitutional literacy, civic education, historical interpretation, public leadership, and educational programming. His expertise helps museums, schools, universities, performing arts organizations, libraries, and community institutions develop programs that strengthen civic understanding while inspiring thoughtful dialogue, responsible citizenship, and a renewed appreciation for America's founding ideals.
Judge Gray's vision aligns perfectly with the mission of Follman Arts Consulting: to educate, inspire, and strengthen communities by transforming history, leadership, and the arts into experiences that create lasting public value.
Dr. Jo Ellen Chatham
Senior Strategic Advisor
Civic Education • Historical Interpretation • Educational Leadership • Curriculum Development
Remembering Our Past to Shape Our Future
Dr. Jo Ellen Chatham is an accomplished educator, historian, and nationally respected leader in civic education whose career has been dedicated to advancing constitutional literacy, historical understanding, and informed citizenship. As a leader in the national USA250 initiative, she is helping shape educational programming and civic engagement efforts commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, inspiring communities to reflect upon the enduring principles of American democracy and their relevance for future generations.
Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Chatham has championed innovative approaches to civic learning through curriculum development, teacher education, public programming, and historical interpretation. Her work bridges scholarship with meaningful community engagement, encouraging audiences of all ages to better understand the people, ideas, and events that shaped our nation's history while fostering informed citizenship and civic responsibility.
As Senior Strategic Advisor for Follman Arts Consulting, Dr. Chatham provides expertise in civic education, historical interpretation, curriculum development, educational programming, and community partnerships. She collaborates on museum initiatives, theatrical productions, educational experiences, and civic programs that bring history to life through engaging storytelling and meaningful public dialogue. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to preserving America's story while inspiring future generations to become informed, engaged, and responsible citizens.
Jennifer Backhaus
Founder & Artistic Director
Backhaus Dance
Where Performance Meets Purpose
Jennifer Backhaus is an award-winning choreographer, educator, and creative leader whose career has been dedicated to enriching communities through artistic excellence, education, and collaboration. As Founder and Artistic Director of Backhausdance, Orange County’s critically acclaimed contemporary dance company, she has spent more than two decades creating innovative performances while expanding access to dance education for audiences of all ages.
In addition to leading Backhausdance, Jennifer serves on the dance faculty at Chapman University, where she mentors emerging artists and creative leaders. Her choreography has been commissioned by universities, ballet companies, and performing arts organizations throughout the United States and has earned widespread recognition for its artistry, emotional depth, and community impact.
As Senior Strategic Advisor for Follman Arts Consulting, Jennifer brings expertise in creative leadership, artistic direction, educational programming, and collaborative production. Her ability to unite artists, educators, nonprofit organizations, and community partners strengthens projects that educate, inspire, and create meaningful community engagement.
Our Collective Strength
Together, the Leadership Team of Follman Arts Consulting represents an extraordinary breadth of experience spanning executive leadership, business strategy, constitutional law, education, public policy, arts administration, professional producing, historical interpretation, and community engagement. Our collective expertise allows us to approach every project with a multidisciplinary perspective, bringing together practical experience, thoughtful scholarship, creative innovation, and a shared commitment to service.
Together, We Create Possibility
Whether advising executive leaders, designing educational initiatives, producing professional performances, strengthening nonprofit organizations, or developing civic engagement programs, we believe the most meaningful work occurs when diverse expertise comes together around a common purpose. Together, we help organizations build programs, partnerships, and experiences that educate, inspire, and strengthen communities.