Janice Sinden Named President & CEO of Denver Center for the Performing Arts

The Board of Trustees of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) announced today that Janice Sinden has been named as its new President and Chief Executive Officer.

Sinden comes to the DCPA after serving for five years as Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock's Chief of Staff where she managed 60 appointees and 26 departments, handled the day-to-day needs of running a rapidly growing metropolitan city and raised funds for the Administration's priority initiatives. While leading the Mayor's staff, Denver has seen such positive accomplishments and acclaim as being named the best city in which to live by U.S. News & World Report, the best place for business and careers by Forbes, and was cited as the top city in the nation for per capita attendance at museums, concert venues and theatre according to the National Endowment for the Arts.

Prior to her appointment as Chief of Staff, Sinden served as Executive Director of Colorado Concern, an alliance of top executives from across the state with a common interest in enhancing and protecting Colorado's business climate. She directed all administrative and financial activities of the organization, raised funds to support its priority initiatives, and worked collaboratively with business and advocacy groups from across Colorado to drive policy reform and move the state forward.

"Janice's exceptional leadership skills and passion for building strong community connections is a perfect complement to the DCPA's renewed values," said Chairman Daniel L. Ritchie. "She will lead our talented staff as we place our customers first in everything we do, foster theatrical innovation and excellence, and advance diversity and inclusion in our programming and staff. Her business acumen combined with her significant public service make her the right choice at the right time."

"I am excited and enthusiastic to work alongside a team of individuals who have made the Denver Center for the Performing Arts the largest non-profit theatre organization in the nation," said Sinden. "As President & CEO, we will work collaboratively to build upon a nearly 40-year history of excellence to ensure that theatre is open, accessible and welcoming to all facets of our community. By expanding the DCPA's extensive theatre education programs, deepening the organization's focus on diversity and inclusion, and infusing the City of Denver with cultural opportunities that not only entertain but also stimulate the economy, we will ensure that generations to come will experience the best in the dramatic arts right in their own backyard. I will draw upon the incredible experience I have had working alongside Mayor Hancock to build partnerships and connections that enhance and expand the performing arts in our community."

"Janice's commitment and dedication to the task and seeing it through to the end is absolute, and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts could not have done better in selecting her to be its next President and CEO," Mayor Michael Hancock said. "The DCPA is one of this city's most treasured cultural assets, and with Janice at the helm, I know that she will only take it to new and greater heights."

Sinden's work in the greater Denver community has been extensive. She has served on and/or led the boards of some of the area's leading non-profit organizations: American Transplant Association, Colorado Civil Justice League, Colorado Council on the Arts, Colorado's Future, Colorado Preservation Inc., Colorado Reform Roundtable, Colorado Workers Compensation Coalition, Denver Good Government Committee, Denver Preschool Program, Downtown Parks & Public Spaces Master Planning Committee, Executives Partnering to Invest in Children, Mental Health Colorado, ONE Colorado and Visit Denver.

Sinden has been recognized as one of the 50 most influential people in Denver by 5280 Magazine, named one of the 25 most influential women in Colorado by the Women's Chamber of Commerce, cited as a Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scouts of Colorado and named Distinguished Alumnus of the Year by the University of Northern Colorado's Department of Political Science and International Affairs.

She received a Bachelor of Arts / Political Science from the University of Northern Colorado and completed the Executives in State and Local government program at the Harvard Kennedy School.

"The DCPA has been an integral part of our community since 1979. It is a launch pad for new works, a top destination on the Broadway touring circuit, a nationally renowned center for theatrical innovation and an inspiring educational program for 92,000 students each year. As Mayor Hancock has often said, 'Janice, when the time is right, don't run away from something. Run toward it.' I'm delighted to say that I'm ready to grab the baton and join this incredible team as we run toward a common goal - a goal that builds upon an incredible legacy to welcome an ever changing, every growing and always supportive community to the power of Live Theatre."

A complete biography may be found at www.denvercenter.org/janice-sinden.