NSAL Florida Announces New Board Led by President Shari Upbin

A local woman who has devoted much of her life to promoting the arts, taking part in a vast variety of artistic endeavors and helping young people develop their talents and find success in their respective fields, has been named president of the National Society of Arts and Letters (NSAL), a Boca Raton-based nonprofit organization that has spent more than 45 years fostering the arts and assisting those involved in countless creative activities to triumph in their chosen callings.

Taking the helm as president of NSAL is Shari Upbin, a distinguished figure in performing arts events with a deep-rooted commitment to the organization’s mission of supporting young artisans in all their disciplines by providing scholarships and sponsoring prize competitions.

Upbin’s selection as president of the decades-old organization was made known when NSAL recently announced the selection of its new board. 

The organization’s new lead official previously served as president and board chair for the local nonprofit that devotes itself to discovering talented young people at the beginning of their careers and providing them with scholarships and competitions in art, dance, drama, literature, music and musical theatre, helping them advance their careers and support creative opportunities.

“It is a true honor to once again serve as president of this organization,” said Upbin. “I continue to dedicate my time to NSAL because I am deeply committed to nurturing the incredible talent within our community. We provide the vital financial support and mentorship that artists rely upon early in their careers.”

“As we look to the future, our primary focus is to significantly grow our membership,” she said. “Expanding our ranks is essential to increasing the impact we have on our talented students. When you become a member, you are directly investing in the future of a young person striving to pursue the arts as a profession.”

Shari Upbin’s own career in the performing arts field began early when she became a member of Actors’ Equity at the age of 13. 

A dedicated member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, Shari has long been an active contributor to the artistic community, having served as president of the League of Professional Theatre Women/New York for seven years. 

Boasting a prolific career spanning both coasts, Shari has produced and directed more than 50 productions, including the Grammy-nominated Off-Broadway show One Mo’ Time and the Timeless Divas series. 

Her recent Florida directing credits include works presented at the Kravis Center, the Willow Theatre and the Pompano Beach Cultural Arts Center. She is currently preparing to direct and star in To Life – The Grand Finale – Jewish Broadway to Hollywood, which will run from Jan. 18 through Feb. 3 at the Willow Theatre in Boca Raton’s Sugar Sand Park. It is the seventh in a series of annual productions honoring the achievements of Jewish composers.

NSAL Florida will announce 2026-2027 scholarship and competition opportunities in the fall. 

NSAL Board of Directors 2026-2027:

Vice President: Alyce Erickson. She is a founding member of NSAL Florida and has served in key board positions since 1981. Throughout her decades of service to the organization, she has chaired numerous competitions, created the High School Photography Competition and chaired Red Rose Gala fundraisers.

A dedicated arts advocate and mentor, she helped establish the Lynn University Conservatory of Music board and held leadership roles with the Florida Symphonic Pops, Miami City Ballet Guild, Coalition of the Arts for Boca Raton and the Children’s Museum of Boca Raton. Her extensive volunteerism has earned numerous accolades for the devoted arts activist.

Treasurer: Wendy White. She is a renowned artist with more than 250 international exhibitions and is also the creator of the award-winning short film Roses Are Blind and the play The Jewish Nun. Wendy co-founded the New Light Foundation to provide arts-driven scholarships and cultural outreach. She also serves as a U.S. Ambassador for international film and humanitarian festivals.

Secretary: Kirsten Stanley. She is a dedicated NSAL Florida board member with extensive leadership experience in the Junior League of Boca Raton and Impact 100 Palm Beach County. She is currently the resident of the Gulf Stream Civic Association and The Grass River Garden Club. Her commitment to community service has earned her a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Junior League, a Woman of Grace honor from the Bethesda Hospital Foundation and recognition as a community influencer by the Achievement Centers for Children and Families.

Members at Large:

Brian Edwards: As senior vice president of the United Way of Palm Beach County, Brian is a distinguished marketing and fundraising professional. A proud former Marine, he has been instrumental in supporting numerous local nonprofit organizations.

Arlene Herson: Producer and host of the award-winning Arlene Herson Show, she has conducted intimate interviews with iconic celebrities ranging from Sammy Davis Jr. to Phyllis Diller. A dedicated arts advocate, she was honored with an NSAL Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023.

Jacob Andreas: As an accomplished audio engineer, Jacob lends his vital technical expertise to major concerts and events throughout South Florida. The organization is grateful for his ongoing technical support and the generous sponsorships provided through the L&N Andreas Foundation, where he serves as vice president.

Past President: Dr. N’Quavah Velazquez is the founder and CEO of Achievement Heights Academy, an international hybrid K-12 STEAM program and educational management organization. A prominent community leader, she currently serves on the Community Advisory Board for PBS WXEL/WPBT.

In its work in the community, the NSAL allows competitors to progress to national competitions where many stars have been discovered. Among these are Shirley MacLaine, actress/dancer/writer; Jessye Norman, opera singer; Megan Hilty, Broadway and television star; Awadagin Pratt, pianist; Amanda McKerrow, prima ballerina and opera star sensation Nadine Sierra, who was discovered through the Florida Chapter competition. 

For more information about NSAL scholarships, competitions and how to become a supporter, visit www.NSALFlorida.org.