Music, Education & Values.

Beate Erwin is a partner at Erwin Law Firm in Dallas. She was previously a partner at Ruchelmann PLLC in New York and worked with Ernst & Young in New York and Dallas, and with CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz and PwC in Vienna. Specializing in cross-border tax planning, she advises high-net-worth individuals, artists and athletes on aligning complex US tax rules with European structures, and serves as the key contact for the American Friends of the Vienna Boys Choir on US legal, tax and governance matters.

James F. Lavelle is Senior Adviser to Houlihan Lokey, where he previously co-led the firm’s global Industrials group, and serves on the boards of Shape Technologies and O’Brien & Gere. For several decades he has advised on strategic and financial M&A worldwide, with a particular focus on cross-border businesses, and has long been involved with charitable organizations. He supports WSK-Vision with strategic advice, access to networks in the United States and fundraising.

Peter M. Maris is a Senior Adviser and former President & CEO of Kinetics Group. He previously led Kinetics’ EMEA business and served as Managing Director DACH, with earlier career roles including Wachovia. Having led a global group across the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, he brings extensive board experience and a broad international network, and advises WSK-Vision on strategy and its operations in the United States.

Jochen Czelecz is Managing Partner of Peryton Advisory. He previously headed M&A for the DACH region at BNP Paribas, following positions at Dresdner Bank and Deutsche Bank. As Deputy Chairman, he contributes his experience in building international networks and on supervisory and advisory boards, and opens doors for WSK-Vision to prospective supporters.

Elmar Diener is Senior Adviser to a European single family office and was previously a partner at Phanhar Asset Management, Vicenda and ZZ Advisory. He is a recognized expert in asset management, portfolio construction and the design of family office structures. At WSK-Vision he chairs the Investments, Operations & Reporting Committee and oversees the investment and reporting of the foundation’s assets.

Maria Linzner-Strasser was a Partner in Tax (Private Client Services) at EY Austria until the end of 2025 and continues to work with EY on selected engagements. Over more than 30 years in tax advisory and audit, her focus areas have included tax compliance, business process outsourcing and the introduction of digital tax solutions and tax control systems, and she is an active speaker and author of technical publications. At WSK-Vision she serves on the Accountability, Audit, Risk and Tax Committee, overseeing tax and audit processes and financial reporting.

Jan Weidner is Managing Director of Weidner Advisory, having previously worked at Rothschild, Houlihan Lokey, Blackstone, Morgan Stanley and J.P. Morgan. A corporate finance specialist for international groups, he combines transaction experience with expertise in philanthropic fundraising and extensive board work. At WSK-Vision he chairs the Fundraising & Endowment Building Committee and helps build the international network of supporters.