Dance/NYC Reveals Leadership Transition

Dance/NYC has revealed an important leadership transition as the organization moves into its next chapter of service to the New York City metropolitan dance community. Sara Roer, currently Co-Executive Director, will assume the role of Interim Executive Director, steering Dance/NYC's staff and collaborating with the Board of Directors to complete a five-year vision that outlines the organization's future and establishes a sustained two-person leadership structure. Co-Executive Directors Vicki Capote and Candace Thompson-Zachery, will complete their leadership terms as of April 4 and April 11, 2024, respectively.

"As Dance/NYC moves forward, we have full confidence in Sara's leadership in continuing to strengthen the organization's foundation. Her attention to operations and finance, alongside her dedication to our mission, ensures Dance/NYC remains a vital resource for the field," said Board Chair Reshma Patel. "On behalf of the Board of Directors, we extend our deepest gratitude to Vicki and Candace for their visionary leadership, dedication, and service to Dance/NYC and the broader dance community."

The leadership transition follows a period of growth and evolution for Dance/NYC, marked by significant achievements advancing the organization's mission, including expanding support for the dance workforce, deepening the organization's commitment to economic justice, and sustaining vital resources for the dance community.

"Building alongside Candace and Vicki these last two years has been one of the most profound honors of my career, and I'm energized to steward Dance/NYC during this evolution," said Sara Roer "There is incredible momentum in this moment-as we advance the Our New York City Dance campaign, complete our Strategic Plan, and launch the Dance Workforce Resilience Fund-much of which is owed to efforts emanating from this shared leadership pilot."

During their tenures, Thompson-Zachery and Capote led initiatives that have had lasting impact:

• Developing Dance/NYC's first fully virtual programming, including three annual symposia that broadened access and engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Expanding JEI initiatives through public programs and partnerships, reinforcing Dance/NYC's role in movement-building for a more just and equitable arts sector.

• Launching the Dance. Workforce. Resilience. (DWR) Initiative and critical advocacy campaigns like #ArtistsAreNecessaryWorkers and Our New York City Dance, uplifting the visibility and needs of dance workers.

• Establishing Dance/NYC's first development department, raising over $7 million for regranting programs and an additional $7 million in general operating support, including funding for staff wellness and sustainability efforts.

• Evolving the New Yorkers for Dance annual cultivation event to align with Dance/NYC's core values, while deepening relationships with key stakeholders and supporters.

Reflecting on their time in leadership, Candace Thompson-Zachery shared: "We embraced an emergent approach-one that recognizes that meaningful change doesn't scale through replication but through collective adaptation. Our goal was to streamline the organization's operations making sure that our programming and leadership in the field was both supportive and reflective of our true capacity. That looked like learning while doing, failing and recovering, and trying again. And though Vicki and I are transitioning from the organization I still wholeheartedly believe in shared leadership and what it can contribute to reimagining sustainability in the arts sector."

Vicki Capote added: "Transitions like this are a natural part of any evolving system. The Two Loops model developed by the Berkana Institute illustrates how change unfolds in this way, not just within organizations but across entire fields and movements. When we moved into this shared leadership role, we did so with a deep commitment to Dance/NYC's values of justice, equity, and inclusion. These past two years have been transformational, both organizationally and personally, as we've navigated the complexities of the dance sector. Some of us are called to forge ahead in shaping what's next, while others hold space to honor and transform what came before."

As Dance/NYC moves into this new phase, the Board of Directors remains focused on ensuring the organization's continued impact and sustainability. Sara Roer's appointment as Interim Executive Director is a critical piece in continuing to strengthen Dance/NYC's internal infrastructure while advancing its mission in support of the dance community.