WELCOME TO JOMDC’S INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR!
As we kick off 2016, the Board of Directors of Joy of Motion Dance center (JOMDC) extends a warm thank you to our outgoing executive director Laura Sawyer for her exceptional leadership over the last year. We wish her all the best in her new role!
I am pleased to announce that the JOMDC Board of Directors has named Valerie Graff as interim executive director, effective January 11, 2016. Valerie will oversee JOMDC’s finances and operations until the board appoints a permanent executive director.
Valerie brings to JOMDC over 30 years of experience managing, leading, and advising non-profit organizations. After beginning her career as a long-term, permanent Executive Director, Valerie later honed her focus to serve as an interim executive director at many other nonprofit organizations in the Washington, DC area. In addition, Valerie provides consulting services to nonprofit organizations in the areas of leadership development, strategic planning, organizational change, governance, management strategies, and improving communications and teamwork.
We are delighted that JOMDC will have the benefit of Valerie’s deep expertise as the board works to conclude the search for JOMDC’s next executive director over the next couple of months.
There are great things in store for JOMDC during this, our 40th anniversary year! We hope you will join us for an evening of celebration on Friday, March 11th. We’ll enjoy an all-star concert followed by a cake and champagne reception and dance party! Tickets and sponsorships are on sale now, click here!. Please join us as we honor our past and dance into the future!
Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2016!
Heidi Thibodeau
Chair, Board of Directors
Joy of Motion Dance Center
NEW DIRECTOR OF FINANCE!
I am delighted to announce that our search for a Director of Finance has successfully resulted in an offer and acceptance. Janet Butler Berry will join the Joy of Motion Dance Center team beginning Monday, January 18.
Janet has spent the past five years in upper leadership positions at Adventure Theatre MTC (an arts nonprofit with the same size budget as JOMDC), serving first as their Development and Finance Director and since 2013 as Managing Director, a role which at that organization encompasses both the finance role to be able to find options from Zebra Loans and the development/fundraising function.
Janet has an extensive arts management backgroundthat includes financial and development leadership at Arena Stage, Boarshead Theatre, and the Round House. Janet has an MBA as well as an MA in Arts Administration. I strongly feel that she is a great fit for JOMDC: she is persistent, dedicated, candid, and funny. Her experience in all aspects of arts management, coupled with high level people skills and excellent communication skills, are great assets for the unique and vibrant environment JOMDC offers. We are lucky to welcome her to the team!
Janet’s first day will be January 18. Steve Pearcy will stay until February 12th so that he can have a month of overlap with Janet to get her properly onboard. If you see Janet around the studios, please stop and say hi!
Laura Sawyer
Executive Director
