SPRINGFIELD, MO.- The Springfield Art Museum Foundation has announced the appointment of Erin Lawrence and Andy Drennen, CFP®, to its Board of Directors, adding two accomplished community leaders whose expertise, relationships, and commitment to Springfield will help advance the Foundation’s mission and support the transformational renovation and expansion of the Springfield Art Museum.
The appointments come at an important moment for the Foundation and the Museum as work continues on the Museum’s ambitious capital project. Through the 2028 Campaign, the Foundation has led the private fundraising effort supporting the Museum’s renovation and expansion, bringing the campaign to over $71 million raised toward creating a significantly expanded and revitalized Museum for the community and region.
With the Museum’s main facility now closed for construction, the project is moving into its next major phase. The renovation and expansion will create new and improved galleries, gathering and educational spaces, and enhanced facilities designed to expand the Museum’s ability to serve the community for generations to come. The Foundation continues to work alongside the Museum to secure the philanthropic support needed to bring this vision to completion.
“Erin and Andy add the kind of leadership, expertise and community commitment that is the hallmark of the Museum Foundation and as we enter this next chapter,” said Kate Francis, Executive Director of the Springfield Art Museum Foundation. “We are in the midst of an extraordinary transformation of the Springfield Art Museum, and their experience and passion for Springfield will be invaluable as we continue building support for the Museum’s future.”
Erin Lawrence
Lawrence is Vice President and Director of Marketing & Public Relations at Guaranty Bank, where she leads the bank’s marketing and brand strategy, oversees its organization-wide marketing plan and budget, and directs internal and external communications. Her career encompasses advertising strategy, digital media, marketing automation, campaign performance, proposal development, vendor and agency relationships, budget management and strategic communications.
Her connection to the Springfield Art Museum extends beyond her professional expertise. Lawrence was instrumental in bringing Guaranty Bank’s Pops in the Park to life, helping transform an ambitious idea into a free, signature cultural event benefiting the Museum. Now an annual summer tradition, the concert reflects her ability to build partnerships, connect organizations with community impact, and create experiences that bring people together.
Lawrence holds a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing from Missouri University of Science & Technology and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Kentucky. She is a graduate of Leadership Springfield’s Signature Class 48 and Access Class 17. She lives in Nixa with her husband and two teenage sons.
“With a background in the arts, I understand firsthand the significant role the arts play in shaping our lives, strengthening our communities, and enriching our culture. I have been proud to partner with the Springfield Art Museum in bringing Guaranty Bank’s Pops in the Park to life, and I am excited to deepen my involvement by serving on the Springfield Art Museum Foundation board and further supporting the Museum’s impact in our community.”
Andy Drennen
Drennen is Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager with Simmons Bank Private Wealth, where he advises clients on investment management, financial planning and long-term wealth strategies. He co-manages the firm’s flagship Core Equity Portfolio and helps oversee more than $1.8 billion in client assets managed by the Springfield Private Wealth team.
A graduate of Drury University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Drennen has been recognized by the Springfield Business Journal as a 40 Under 40 honoree, Men of the Year honoree, and Trusted Adviser. He is also a published author and speaker whose work explores the intersection of economics, emerging technologies, financial markets, and human behavior.
Drennen has a strong record of community engagement, currently serving on the Investment Advisory Board of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks and the Breech School of Business Advisory Board at Drury University. He is a past president of the Springfield Sister Cities Association, having served on its board for many years. During his first year with Simmons Bank, he was named the organization’s Volunteer of the Year, an honor recognizing his service among nearly 3,000 employees across the bank’s six-state footprint.
“I’m honored to join the Foundation at a pivotal time for the Museum,” said Drennen. “The 2028 Campaign represents an extraordinary investment in Springfield’s future, and I look forward to helping the Foundation continue to build the philanthropic support and community enthusiasm necessary to realize that vision.”
Lawrence and Drennen join the Foundation’s distinguished board, including officers Matthew Edwards, Chair; Alia Lee, Vice Chair; Brian Riedy, Treasurer; Jason Rader, Secretary; and members Howard Cavner, Leaster Gibson, Shae Johnson, Sarah Kerner, Bryan Musgrave, Jesse Tyler, Chris Weiss, and Sonya Wise. Museum Board Chair Mitzi Kirkland-Ives serves ex officio, and Sally Baird is the Foundation’s first emeritus board member.
The Springfield Art Museum Foundation provides philanthropic support for the Springfield Art Museum, helping ensure that the Museum remains a vital cultural and educational resource for the region. Through the 2028 Campaign, the Foundation has worked with donors, businesses, foundations and community partners to generate the private support necessary to make the Museum’s renovation and expansion possible.
As construction continues, the Foundation remains focused on completing the fundraising effort and building the long-term philanthropic resources that will help the Museum thrive when its transformed facility reopens.
