Friends of the Coronado Strengthens Leadership, Expands Board and Advances Ambitious 2026 Vision

June 4, 2026
Rockford -- Friends of the Coronado (FOC) announced a series of leadership and
governance updates that reflect the organization’s continued growth and its commitment
to preserving and celebrating the historic Coronado Theatre “for all to use and share.”
The announcements include the appointment of a new executive director, the addition
of new board members, leadership transitions among officers, and the adoption of
strategic goals for 2026.
“These changes represent an important step forward for Friends of the Coronado,” said
Mary Ann Smith, President Emerita of the FOC Board.

As part of this evolution, Friends of the Coronado has welcomed Theresa Knauf as
executive director. The role supports the organization’s expanding scope of work,
including fundraising, capital improvement initiatives, community outreach, and
advancing plans for the celebration of the Coronado Theatre’s 100th Anniversary
Season in 2027.

Knauf is a sales and marketing professional with over 20 years of experience building
and managing relationships and helping organizations grow. “Knauf has a background
in sales, advertising, and marketing. She is a strong communicator and strategic thinker
who brings a fresh perspective to Friends of the Coronado,” according to Smith.

A Rockford native, Knauf also has a love of the arts and, most especially, a lifelong
love of the Coronado. Like so many Rockfordians, Knauf has her own Coronado story.
“As a child, I spent many hours as a piano student in the studios above the former
Jackson Piano store, which is now home to the Friends of the Coronado Corner
Classroom and office.”

Knauf earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of
Southern California.

Friends of the Coronado has also expanded its board of directors, welcoming three new
members:
● Amy Chatfield, Ad Vice Marketing
● Azam Aldulaimi, Aldulaimi Group Holding
● Kyle Saunders, Fehr Graham

These additions bring expanded expertise in marketing, arts preservation, community
leadership and business development.

The Coronado Theatre and Friends of the Coronado are hosting the first-ever Coronado
Summer Cinema featuring two summer blockbusters: Wicked For Good on Saturday,
June 13, and Zootopia 2 on Saturday, July 11. Admission is free for all ages and open
to the public. Festivities will begin at 1:30pm with food trucks and family-friendly
activities. Concessions with food and beverages will be available for purchase.

The event is sponsored by the following generous donors: 97ZOK, Q98.5, 23WIFR,
First Midwest Group and Puri Foundation, Urban Equity Properties and Starbucks at
State and Main Street, Amundsen Davis Law and State Protection Services. For more
information about Coronado Summer Cinema, visit Coronado.RockfordLive.com.

Friends of the Coronado 2026 goals include execution of an extensive Capital
Improvement Plan, expanded community outreach through programs such as Coronado
Classroom and launch of a theater digital history storytelling project, all in preparation
for the Coronado Theatre’s 100th anniversary in October 2027.

Together, these leadership updates and strategic priorities underscore FOC’s
commitment to stewardship, collaboration, and ensuring the Coronado Theatre remains
a vibrant and accessible cultural landmark for generations to come.

For more information about Friends of the Coronado or to learn how to support its
initiatives, visit friendsofthecoronado.org.

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ABOUT FRIENDS OF THE CORONADO:
The mission of the Friends of the Coronado is to champion the historic Coronado
Theatre, a time-honored symbol of civic pride, as a performing arts center and
community asset for all to use and share. The Friends of the Coronado Foundation is a
not-for-profit organization which was formed in 1997 to launch a fundraising campaign
to expand, restore, and renovate Rockford's "Wonder Theatre." Friends of the
Coronado represented the community-at-large in all stages of the planning and
fundraising for the $18.5 million project. After the reopening of the theater in 2001, the
Coronado Project was awarded the highest honor in architectural preservation by the
United States Department of the Interior. In the years since the theater’s grand
reopening, Friends of the Coronado has rallied support for the landmark’s ongoing

preservation and for opening its doors to audiences who might otherwise lack the
opportunity to experience its magic.