Malashock Dance is proud to announce the appointment of their very own Paloma Patterson as the new Executive Director, effective immediately. After vigorous months of highly competitive interviews conducted during a national search, it became clear to the Board of Directors that Patterson’s credentials, leadership skills, vast knowledge and passion for Malashock Dance made her the perfect candidate. The hiring of an Executive Director has being made possible by funding from the James Irvine Foundation, the Parker Foundation and Danah Fayman.
“I am honored to welcome Paloma in her new role as the Executive Director for Malashock Dance,” says John Malashock. “She knows this organization inside out and shares, with me, the vision and potential of Malashock Dance. We are fortunate to have her in this capacity and I know she is going to be incredibly effective at ushering in the next great phase for both the Company and The School.”
Paloma Patterson has been with Malashock Dance since 2005. A former modern dancer, she brings over nine years experience in the nonprofit sector. Prior to joining Malashock Dance, she spent five years as the Business and Marketing Director for SPACE (School of Performing Arts and Cultural Education) in Ukiah, CA. As the director of WAVE (Watch Anderson Valley Excel), an in-school performing arts program, she taught dance, led workshops, invited guest artists and directed an after-school performing arts program. She has also taught Creative Movement for five- and six-year-olds.
Paloma has a Master’s of Art degree and Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego and American Humanics, respectively. A native of California, Paloma attended Mills College and New College of California, San Francisco, where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Humanities with an emphasis in Community Cultural Development through the Performing Arts.
Her international nonprofit experience includes a study abroad program for Nonprofits and Civil Society in Guatemala and coursework and consulting for bi-national nonprofit organizations along the U.S.-Mexico border.
She is a current member of the San Diego Nonprofit Professionals Network, and a volunteer for the San Diego Foundation for Change, Border Encuentro, and Amigos de Fundación Nahual (Antigua, Guatemala). She most recently served as a grant panelist for the California Arts Council Artists in Schools Program in Sacramento, CA. In 2003, she was named California Big Sister of the Year for Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
For more information on Malashock Dance, please visit www.MalashockDance.org.
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