By Shannon Huang, Director of Development and Communications
Ryman Arts is pleased to welcome four new members to our Board of Directors. Together, these individuals are leaders in their fields and have played a role in some of the world’s greatest cultural and entertainment spaces.
Please join us in welcoming:
Raymond Braun
Eugenia Chen
Peggie Fariss
Wendy Heimann-Nunes
Raymond Braun is a founding Principal of Entertainment + Culture Advisors (ECA), specializing in entertainment development projects, recreation and tourism economics, and attraction development potential. Prior to forming ECA, Mr. Braun was the head of the Entertainment Practice at Economics Research Associates (ERA).
Clients in the theme park industry include major operating companies such as the Walt Disney Company, Sea World, Universal Studios, and Merlin Entertainments. Mr. Braun has helped plan major cultural attractions including the J.P. Getty Center in Los Angeles; the Rose Center at the American Museum of Natural History in New York; the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco; and the Henry Ford in Dearborn.
Internationally, Mr. Braun has in depth experience in Europe, Japan, Korea, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, India, Australia, Canada and Mexico. Major projects have included market planning and attendance analysis for Universal Studios, multiple locations; consulting with Merlin regarding LEGO theme park development opportunities; economic planning for recreation and commercial development in Beijing; movie studio and related theme park in Australia, Warner Bros. Movie World; global location research for KidZania; theme park in Southern Malaysia for Khazanah Nasional; and resort projects throughout Mexico.
Ray was mentored by Ryman Arts co-founder Harrison “Buzz” Price in his early career and is passionate about mentoring rising talents.
Eugenia Chen is a dynamic and multicultural creative professional, leading cross functional teams in concept design, IP development, and production for location-based entertainment projects. She has also spearheaded various merchandise design, branding, packaging, illustrations, and product design initiatives for the toy industry, holding two design patents and a utility patent.
With almost two decades of experience as a design entrepreneur and seasoned business professional, Eugenia has led her own design ventures. Presently, she serves as the Co-founder and Principal Designer at Launchmode Design Co.
Additionally, Eugenia holds the position of Senior Director of Location-Based Experiences Asia for Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences, with a primary focus on LBE business development in Asia. Eugenia's career highlights a distinctive fusion of creative insight and business expertise. Her meaningful contributions to high-profile projects underscore her significance at the intersection of innovative thinking and business acumen.
A graduate of Art Center College of Design, Eugenia knows the rewarding artist’s journey that Ryman Arts students are embarking upon from her own firsthand experience.
Peggie Fariss began her Disney career in 1965 as an attraction hostess at Disneyland, working weekends while attending college. In 1969, she participated in the press conference to announce the first phase of Walt Disney World. Impressed by the magnitude of that ambitious endeavor, Peggie set her sights on playing a role in bringing that project to life.
Following graduation with a degree in English from California State University, Fullerton, she relocated to Orlando just prior to the opening of Walt Disney World. She spent the next five years planning conferences at the Disney resort.
In 1976, Peggie joined Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) to participate in the development of Epcot, organizing conferences and pavilion advisory boards. She conducted the historical research for Spaceship Earth covering 40,000 years of communication history. After the opening of Epcot and for the next 34 years, Peggie participated in an array of WDI projects and led the Imagineering team responsible for the integration of corporate sponsorship in Disney parks around the world. In 2010 she embarked on a five-year assignment in France, to lead the Walt Disney Imagineering Design & Show Quality team at Disneyland Paris. She celebrated her 50th anniversary with the Disney organization in the spring of 2016 and retired shortly thereafter.
In addition to being a long-time supporter of Ryman Arts, Peggie has a special connection as she had the joy of working with our namesake, Herbert D. Ryman.
Wendy Heimann-Nunes is co-founder and managing partner of Nolan Heimann, providing forward-looking strategic counsel to her clients. Her clients include licensors & licensees, owners & operators, developers, designers & storytellers, and more. She began her legal career with the international law firm Mayer Brown.
Wendy has also served as an executive at Universal Studios, heading up Business and Legal Affairs for Universal Creative, the division responsible for the concept, design, and development of all domestic and international theme parks, resorts, and attractions. She is an active member and pro-bono counsel of the Themed Entertainment Association and was honored in 2020 with the receipt of their Peter Chernack Distinguished Service THEA Award. She also serves on the Board of Directors of The Third Floor.
Wendy is passionate about supporting young creatives, and her firm has provided pro bono legal services to Ryman Arts.
We are looking forward to growing with the leadership of our tremendous Board of Directors this year.