Arts and culture are the heartbeat of a community. They inspire passion, purpose, and new ways of seeing.

There is a middle aged woman with fair complexion and red hair sitting in the front row of the small movie theater with a big smile. The projector lights are on behind her and the small theater is empty of other people.

With leadership experience in film, media, and the visual and performing arts, Jean de St. Aubin helps civic and non-profit organizations grow and flourish. Her expertise is built on 30+ years of experience and collaboration with arts and cultural organizations, from nascent neighborhood gems to established, world-class institutions.

Learn how Jean can help your organization reach new heights.

What People Are Saying

  • Michael Edwards, President & CEO, Chicago Loop Alliance

    Jean de St. Aubin did a tremendous job leading the Chicago Loop Alliance in 2021 and 2022 as our board chair. Her leadership, professional demeanor and ability to connect with all people were important to the success of our organization. As chair, she was the catalyst for many of CLA’s community and economic development initiatives throughout the pandemic. Examples of her leadership include the highly acclaimed Sundays on State and the recently completed Loop Resident Economic Impact Study.

  • Felicia Middlebrooks, Gene Siskel Film Center Advisory Board, Veteran Journalist and Founder, Saltshaker Productions, LLC

    Jean St. Aubin is a gifted communicator, and working with her is effortless. Warm, insightful, and whip smart, Jean skillfully led the Gene Siskel Advisory Board with aplomb for many years. She's a joy to work with and one of the kindest souls you'll ever meet! I feel blessed to know her.

  • Angela Allyn, Multidisciplinary Artist, Founder of the Abiogenesis Movement Ensemble and Doghaven Center for the Arts, and Community Arts Programs Coordinator, City of Evanston

    Jean worked tirelessly to get me the resources I needed and demonstrated what a bureaucratic ninja does to navigate hoops and obstacles in a large hierarchical situation to nurture creativity and community. I would not be the art leader, the facilitator, and the creative person I am today if not for the example and experience I had with Jean de St. Aubin.

  • Lori Hile, Associate Director of Public Relations and Communications, Gene Siskel Film Center

    Jean was our fearless leader for two decades and shaped the Film Center into what it is today: a world-class art house cinema that's inclusive and welcoming and strives to reflect Chicago’s diverse community. Jean is a "people person" as well as a cinephile, and we thank her for the many relationships and partnerships she established and nurtured as she worked tirelessly on our behalf.

  • Screen Magazine, 2022

    During her time at the Film Center, Jean championed festivals to spotlight diverse films and directors while growing audiences and engaging community leaders, increased membership, and steered the Film Center through the COVID-19 pandemic, pivoting to streaming films and launching a virtual discussion series.