Joan Ellyn Silber, PhD

Joan Ellyn Silber, Ph.D. is is engaged in a wide variety of philanthropic, professional, and personal projects, including teaching Meditation and Awareness Training, landscape photography, writing projects, international travel, and volunteer work. She is a recipient of the Ellis Island Awards and a member of the U.S. Commission for the Preservation of American Heritage Abroad.  Born and raised in St. Louis, Joan earned her B.A., teaching certificate and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Michigan.  Her doctoral thesis was titled "Cinematic Techniques and Interpretations in Film and Television Adaptations of Shakespeare's Hamlet." She has studied extensively the practice and theories of Self-Acceptance Training with Richard C. Olney, written and directed video training programs for persons with spinal cord injury, established and managed the Infertility Center of St. Louis, and initiated community service projects with MICDS and Head Start.  She serves now on the Executive Committee of Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis. Joan also serves on the boards of Scholarship Foundation, the St. Louis Chapter of the American Jewish Committee, Care and Counseling, the Newmark Institute for Human Relations, HateBrakers, and the St. Louis Symphony Friends Committee. Joan has also served on many other boards, including MICDS, Community School, Orthwein Theater, president of Aish Hatorah St Louis, and the Association for the Education of the Young Child.

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