International Contemporary Ensemble Announces New Board Member and Business and Finance Manager

The International Contemporary Ensemble welcomes Chiwoniso Kaitano to its Board of Directors. Chiwoniso is Executive Director of Girl Be Heard, a global NGO that advocates for social change through performing arts and storytelling. Previously, she served as Executive Director of Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, a 30 year old Brooklyn-based arts and culture organization. Chiwoniso has long been involved in the arts scene including founding the long-standing literary series TheSALON, and co-founding Africa Redux, a platform that promotes the art, culture and music of Africa.

Chiwoniso "Chi" Kaitano holds a law degree from the London School of Economics and a Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University's School for International and Public Affairs. She also serves on the Board of Directors of two New York City-based nonprofits, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and The Center for Fiction. Originally from Zimbabwe, Chi lives in Brooklyn with her family. Connect with Chi on Twitter @chiwonisok.

Board President Claude Arpels says, "Chiwoniso has worked at the intersection of art, education, and social justice for years, which is a perfect fit for our board. Furthermore, her experience as a nonprofit Executive Director will be a great help to our artist-led organization. We are honored and excited that Chiwoniso has agreed to join the board of the International Contemporary Ensemble."

The Ensemble has also hired a new Business and Finance Manager, Keisha Husain. Keisha Husain is a wife, mother and self proclaimed "numbers nerd" from Brooklyn, NY. She has spent the majority of her career in administration within the nonprofit sector working for organizations including The Shubert Organization, Kingsborough Community College Performing Arts Center (KPAC), and Concertante Chamber Ensemble. She earned her BA and MBA from Marist College and currently resides with her family in Queens, NY.

Executive Director Jennifer Kessler says, "We are thrilled to welcome Keisha to our staff team. Keisha brings extensive experience in nonprofit business affairs, accounting, and financial best practices, and is helping shape our internal systems to be much more efficient and effective for the future. She brings a curiosity and dedication to her work ethic that are rare and wonderful qualities to have in a colleague. I speak on behalf of the whole staff when I say that she truly rounds out our team in the best possible ways."

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