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DANCE NEWS: Sara Nash Named Interim Executive Director of Dance/USA
A Letter from Abdo Sayegh Rodriguez, Board Chair, and the Dance/USA Board of Trustees
To Our Community,
On behalf of Dance/USA's Board of Directors, I'm thrilled to announce that Sara Nash has been appointed Interim Executive Director of Dance/USA, effective August 4, 2025.
Sara Nash (she/her) has been a leading force in the dance ecosystem, consistently supporting and advocating for the field through her work in both the private and public philanthropic sectors, most recently as the Dance Director for the National Endowment for the Arts. Over the course of her career, she has held numerous influential positions that have elevated dance on national and international stages. With two decades of experience as a program director, funder, convener, and producer, she brings a deep passion for serving artists, expanding access, and fostering a more connected and empathetic world.
Sara was the Program Director for Dance at the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) for seven years, where she oversaw NEFA's dance programs, including the National Dance Project, the development of the New England Dance Fund, and the Regional Dance Development Initiative in Chicago. Prior to working at NEFA, Sara managed Mid Atlantic Arts' USArtists International grant program, which underwrote fees and travel expenses for U.S. performing artists at international festivals. As Senior Producer at Dance Theater Workshop (now New York Live Arts), she oversaw a busy season of commissioned artists and touring companies, directed the international program, The Suitcase Fund, and developed creative residency and capacity-building programs for artists.
Throughout her career, Sara has championed artists, access, and equity. She frequently serves as a moderator, guest speaker, and panelist for organizations such as the Association of Performing Arts Professionals, Dance/USA, the Japan Foundation, the Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography, and the National Performance Network, among others.
Dance/USA remains steadfast in its commitment to advocacy, sharing resources, and connecting individuals within the broader dance community. We look forward to Sara's leadership as we continue this vital work.
Now that we have secured interim leadership, the Board of Trustees will form a formal Search Committee, consisting of Trustees and members of the Dance/USA community, to lead the search for a permanent Executive Director.
Please join us in congratulating Sara on this new role.
Sara begins her position Monday, August 4, 2025. Executive Director Kellee Edusei’s last day with Dance/USA was Friday, August 1.
With gratitude,
Abdo Sayegh Rodriguez, Board Chair
and the Dance/USA Board of Trustees
ID: Sara Nash, a disabled white woman with chin length red hair, is seated in front of a white brick wall and window. Her head is tilted slightly to the right, and she is looking at the camera and smiling. She has blue eyes and wears red lipstick and a green and white patterned shirt. Photo: Sara Nash
