The LACNA Foundation, a not-for-profit leadership development organization formed by a coalition of 50 of the largest performing arts centers (PACs) in the U.S. and Canada, today announced the 2023 cohort of fellows who will take part in the organization’s BIPOC Executive Leadership in the Arts Program. Supported by AMS Planning & Research Corporation, NAS and Stanford University, this first-of-its-kind program is designed to accelerate the development of management and leadership skills among qualified mid-career BIPOC professionals and provide them with a pathway to pursue executive positions in the two nations’ most significant cultural institutions. This announcement officially launches the program, which will continue to name fellows annually, following a successful beta year in 2022, in which six leaders in the arts participated in the multi-part initiative.
The BIPOC Executive Leadership in the Arts Program supports the growth of future C-suite executives, including chief executive officers, chief operating officers, chief financial officers and chief advancement/chief development officers. With the goal of “30 by 30,” or 30% BIPOC representation in the C-suite of performing arts centers by 2030, the program represents a strong statement of commitment from these organizations to change their cultures and diversify their leadership. Currently, 53% of principal administrators of major performing arts centers are female; only 7% of the leaders of these arts organizations are BIPOC, and only 16% of the leadership teams of these organizations include BIPOC representation.
The 2023 cohort of fellows nominated by performing arts center CEOs is:
• Robert Gonzalez, operations manager, Gloria Molina Grand Park/The Music Center; Los Angeles, CA (chief operating officer track);
• Yvette Loynaz, director of artistic administration, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis; St. Louis, MO (president/CEO track);
• Ebonie Pittman, senior director of development, Dance Theatre of Harlem; New York, NY (president/CEO track);
• Oscar Quesada, director of programming, Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts; West Palm Beach, FL (president/CEO track);
• Valerie Riles, vice president of Board and Government Relations, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts; Miami, FL (president/CEO track);
• Alice Santana, vice president of education and community engagement, David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts; Tampa, FL (president/CEO track)
• Timmy Yuen, human resources manager, San Francisco Opera Association; San Francisco, CA (chief operating officer track)