Nashville Ballet Executive Director Lisa French has announced that she will conclude her dedicated service to the organization this summer. Following their final performance of the season at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts this June, French will be relocating to Minneapolis, Minnesota to be closer to family. Thanks to her six years of exemplary leadership, particularly through the ongoing pandemic, the non-profit will be poised to begin its 2022-23 season stronger than ever.
“It has been such a privilege to lead this organization and work with so many talented and committed artists, Board, staff, and faculty members these past six years,” said French. “Together, we have been able to flourish and succeed in our commitment to serve our community through this beautiful artform. Nashville Ballet is truly a special place, and I am confident that it will only continue to grow from here.”
During her time with the organization, French has helped Nashville Ballet reach and exceed several organizational and industry milestones. Over the past six years, she has increased investments in Nashville Ballet’s artistic endeavors and grown endowment funds by 88%, helping to advance the organization’s ongoing effort to create, perform, teach, and promote dance as an essential and inspiring element of their community. She has also grown their staff and artist roster, enhanced Board member engagement, advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and expanded community engagement efforts.
Lisa and Michael French with Nick Mullikin
Under her leadership, Nashville Ballet’s overall budget and revenue has increased by 42%. This steadfast commitment to growing the organization has allowed them to create a new Virtual Season, tour nationally to The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and The Gaillard Center in Charleston, South Carolina, host their first-ever outdoor performance at Ascend Amphitheater, and film and release the broadcast premiere of Nashville’s Nutcracker, which recently received four Midsouth Emmy Award nominations. Over the next several months, the Company will take their original production of Lucy Negro Redux on a nation-wide tour and film the acclaimed performance. In the midst of spearheading all of these efforts, French also completed her Executive MBA from the Owen School of Business at Vanderbilt University, participated in the Racial Equity in Arts Leadership cohort, and The Equity Project.
“There simply aren’t enough words to describe the immense impact that Lisa has had on this organization,” shared Nashville Ballet Artistic Director Paul Vasterling. “Her vigorous leadership, unwavering resilience, and sound guidance brought us through some of the most challenging years in our Company’s history and beyond. Her shoes will not be easily filled, but we are excited to watch her blaze a new trail and share her talents with Minneapolis.”
Vasterling will work with a search committee comprised of hiring professionals, Nashville Ballet Board President Laura Currie, President-Elect Susan Short Jones, and other Board members to lead the search for Nashville Ballet’s next Executive Director. They have hired the acclaimed firm, Management Consultants for the Arts, to assist them in the nation-wide hiring process.
“Thanks to Lisa’s leadership, Nashville Ballet is in a tremendously strong place,” said Nashville Ballet Board President Laura Currie. “She has set us up for success and assembled a thoughtful, hardworking team who we know will carry on our mission as we search for and onboard a new Executive Director.”
To learn more about Nashville Ballet, please visit nashvilleballet.com. To learn more about Management Consultants for the Arts, please visit mcaonline.com.
