Ceo & Executive Director
CurrentAppointed to lead the organization through the pandemic, ensure its financial integrity, and expand the mission to represent the 25 counties of Southern Illinois. Serve as the chief executive officer, working closely with and reporting to the president and the board of directors. Steer and administer programs, advancement, finances, operations, and policy formation. Manage a growing professional staff of six and 20+ volunteers. ➢ Increased revenue from <$100k to +$600k through private and public fundraising in less than four years, hired five staff from one staff within three years, and led the board through three strategic plans with vibrant new brand, mission, vision, and values➢ Quadrupled grants to artists and organizations throughout the region, with +50 percent to BIPOC recipients; conceptualized and implemented the Southern Illinois Mural Project with the commission of five murals in year one and over 20 in year four➢ Managed acquisition of a centrally located site in the downtown arts and entertainment district of Carbondale for retail and maker space; five of the agency's most significant private grants to date; and hired staff to oversee comprehensive services➢ Refocused programs on the cultural arts and the intersection with the humanities, providing outreach to underserved communities