ICA Miami'sEvening inthe Garden

Helen Kent-Nicoll and Edward J. Nicoll married in 1981. They have two daughters, Hallie and Eloise, and a grandson, Elliot. Helen loves many forms of art, but dance took over her soul at a very young age. Today, she dances ballroom, but for many years, Helen was a renowned modern dancer. As a member of the Murray Louis Dance Company, she performed on many of the world's greatest stages. Subsequently, Helen choreographed musical theater, created original dance productions, taught at the Lincoln Center Institute, and as an Affiliate Artist traveled the U.S. engaging rural communities in one-week dance "Informances." Recently, Helen co-produced the revival of "The Trojan Women" at La MaMa in New York City. At ICA Miami, Helen has sponsored two residencies with choreographer/director Suzanne Costello working with at-risk young and incarcerated persons.

Ed is an entrepreneur and business executive. In these capacities, he has helped to create the business sector now known as Fintech, which sits at the intersection of finance and technology. From 1980 to 2010, Ed founded (or co-founded or re-capitalized), ran and eventually sold the following firms: Waterhouse Securities, Datek Online, Island ECN, Instinet Group, and finally Instinet Inc. During that time, he was also the Chairman of GlobeOp. Each of these firms pioneered Fintech. Today, Ed is a co-founder/director of Gerson Lehrman Group, a leading provider of expertise and research worldwide. He is also a co-founder/director of Voyant Photonics, a provider of machine perception hardware and software.

Since 2010, Ed has served as a trustee of the Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami, and as a member of the museum's Executive, Finance and Investment Committees. He and Helen created the Nicoll Family Fund at ICA Miami in 2019, an endowment that assures the museum's commitment to innovative artists. In 2024, they made a second campaign gift that supports the museum's Education Department. Throughout his tenure, Ed has been a source of strength and insight to staff and other trustees; and a key force in ICA Miami's growth.

The Nicoll Family are also longtime supporters of organizations in the following areas: maternal health in Africa, parochial education in low-income communities, U.S. constitutional protections, and effective giving initiatives. Lastly, at Yale Law School, Ed's alma mater, the Nicoll Family has established the Edith Nemec Fellowship, funding a teaching fellow at the Veteran's Legal Services Clinic, in honor of Ed's mother.