New Board Member Joins NJ Theatre Alliance

New Jersey Theatre Alliance ("The Alliance") announced that Patricia M. Barksdale, Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor for Merrill Lynch in Jersey City, has joined its board of trustees. The Alliance is a service organization for the 34 non-profit, professional theatres in New Jersey, supporting them and the theatre-going public with a wide array of services and programs.

"We are thrilled to welcome Pat to the board," said John McEwen, Executive Director of the Alliance. "Pat's love of theatre, familiarity with many of the Alliance's member theatres, her work with many other community organizations, and her impressive business skills will be an asset to the Alliance and our membership."

Barksdale is a graduate of Kean University in Union, NJ, with dual degrees in Finance and Economics. In addition, she holds a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation through the College for Financial Planning. She has also completed the Merrill Lynch Financial Advisors Leadership Program from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton Business School.

"I'm looking forward to serving on the NJTA board and welcome the opportunity to work with this esteemed group of individuals," said Barksdale.

Barksdale is a member of the Executive Women's Golf Association, National Association of Professional Women, and National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment. She is also a board member of the Kean University Foundation, where she chairs the Board Development Committee and serves on the Kean University College of Business and Public Management Board of Advisors. Recognitions include the Kean University 2018 Women of Achievement, 2017 David Brady Award, and 2014 Kean University Distinguished Alumni Award.

She was named one of the 2007 Women of Influence in Finance by the Women's Fund of New Jersey and was an honoree at the Women's History Celebration by the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 2008. She has volunteered as an instructor of financial literacy workshops and is a speaker with various organizations including Kean University, Newark Public Schools, Benedictine Academy, the Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars Program and YMWCA of Newark and Jersey City.

Founded in 1981, New Jersey Theatre Alliance was the first statewide service organization for professional, not-for-profit theatre companies in the United States, and is a leader in developing model programs that unite, promote, strengthen, and cultivate professional theatre in New Jersey. Funding for New Jersey Theatre Alliance, a not-for-profit organization, is provided in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, as well as contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations including the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, Bank of America, The Shubert Foundation, and The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation. More information can be found at njtheatrealliance.org