ODC Welcomes New Executive Director Carma Zisman

ODC has announced the appointment of Carma Zisman as its Executive Director, effective September 5, 2017. Zisman brings over 27 years of experience in development, strategic planning, marketing, communications, and arts management to ODC.

"We are so pleased to welcome Carma Zisman to ODC," said Board President Becky Saeger. "In addition to her extensive experience, we are inspired by her instinctive and heartfelt understanding of what we stand and strive for at ODC. As we look toward our milestone 50th year and beyond, Carma is the perfect person to help lead us into the future."

Most recently Zisman served as Director of Institutional Advancement at The Walt Disney Family Museum, where she set strategy for and directed the museum's comprehensive fundraising efforts, membership programs, and marketing and communications. While at the museum she also oversaw business development, guest experience, and the museum's robust volunteer program.

Previously she served as the Vice President of Development at the World Affairs Council of Northern California, and prior to that, as Development Director of the College of Liberal & Creative Arts at San Francisco State University. As an independent consultant and in various roles at Stanford Jazz Workshop, the Amador County Arts Council and the Labor Archives, Zisman has worked collaboratively and successfully with artists, educators, business and operational teams, entrepreneurial leaders, and community members. She is an alumna of Leadership SF and holds a BA from San Francisco State University.

"I am a longtime fan of ODC," said Zisman. "I admire their artistic excellence and share their commitment to foster diversity and inclusion through dance. I am excited to join the organization and champion its outstanding work in the community."

"I am enormously excited to be heading into a new ODC chapter with Carma at the helm," said ODC Founder & Artistic Director Brenda Way. "She has the soul of an artist and the heart of a communitarian. I feel she will be an ideal leader to take ODC into the future."

Zisman succeeds Kate Akos, who has served as ODC's Interim Executive Director since November 2016.

ODC, founded by Brenda Way in 1971, is a groundbreaking contemporary arts institution with longstanding roots in the San Francisco community. ODC comprises ODC/Dance, a world-class dance company; the ODC Commons, a five-studio rehearsal and office complex and home to ODCSchool and Rhythm & Motion, a professional, pre-professional, and recreational dance training program; ODC Theater, a nationally regarded presenting theater; and The Healthy Dancers' Clinic. More information at www.odc.dance.

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