Ina L. Schnell has a background which reflects a focus on themes central to her being: Devotion to the arts through participation in significant cultural organizations, enhancing the role of the library through an innovative Sarasota Reading Festival, the 2002 On the Edge Sarasota Festival of performing and visual arts to develop new audiences, a committed activist in support of child advocacy programs are among those themes. Her participation with outstanding arts and cultural organizations includes such groups as the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood, Shakespeare and Company, Lenox MA, The Music Theatre Performing Group/ Lenox Arts Center, Hancock Shaker Village and Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Composers Orchestra and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Her professional career focused on fashion merchandising and design. She is a graduate of Skidmore College, BA History and MA in Urban Affairs and Policy Analysis, New School for Social Research.