CHARLES NAMED 2023 MARBLEHEAD FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS PRESIDENT
The Marblehead Festival of Arts (MFoA) selects Marketing Strategist and podcast host Jodi-Tatiana Charles as the 2023 President. The selection was announced at the October 10th meeting along with 4 new directors who will each help support the festival's work to highlight art as a tool for cultural exchange, education, and expression.
“After much work this past summer to identify a strong candidate to serve as the MFoA's next President, the Nominating Committee was thrilled when Ms. Charles agreed to serve as President for the 2022 - 2023 Festival year and was then unanimously elected by the members present at the MFoA's annual meeting”, said Eric Knight, Chairman, MFoA’s Board Nominating Committee.
Charles has been a resident of Marblehead for the past 13 years and has been a festival volunteer for over a decade. She brings 30 years of executive leadership in marketing, branding and communication to the position and is looking to harness those skills to assist in fulfilling her obligations as president. A staunch advocate for small businesses, Charles is the founder of LCG Brands Consulting and host of the Minding Your Business Podcast. She is also an honoree of Forbes’ Next 1000. She is passionate about serving her community and spends her free time supporting causes benefitting children, the elderly and cancer research and treatment.
Knight added, “Ms. Charles is an experienced business marketing strategist and multi platform communicator, who exhibits the creative energy and enthusiasm the Committee believes is necessary for continuing the growth and innovation of the MFoA. She also shares the MFoA's core belief that support of the arts helps create and sustain a healthy and vibrant community. We wish Ms. Charles and the officers and members of the MFoA's Board of Directors a productive and successful year.”
The Marblehead Festival of Arts has been enriching the community and supporting artisans since 1962, through its hosting of fundraising and seasonal events including the annual Summer Festival of Arts. Over the years MFoA has been firmly established as a major arts festival for locals and neighboring communities. The organization’s signature 4-day Summer Festival features a wide range of cultural activities, art exhibits, concerts, and film festivals, all designed to provide an exciting experience for the entire family.
Charles is excited about filling the role of President for the 2023 Marblehead Festival of Arts and has ambitions to expand the festival’s reach and bring even more value for residents and artisans. Commenting on the appointment, she said: “We have to work every day to keep delivering a top-quality festival for our residents and neighboring towns and guests. My goal is to bring back the community of residents that have not attended the event in years, and attract a wider age group with new activities, all while staying true to the core values of the arts.”
The new executive board members began their term with the Marblehead Festival of the Arts effective October 10, 2022. The 2023 Board of Directors are:
Executive Committee
o Jodi-Tatiana Charles - President
o Ilise Ratner - Vice President of Fundraising
o Cynda Rohmer - Vice President of Community Engagement
o Sheri Conte - Vice President of Arts & Exhibits
o Rosanna Steinig – Secretary
o Jo-Ann Murphy – Treasurer
o Matthew Friedman – President Emeritus
Directors
o Kirsten Bassion –New
o Molly Flynn – New
o Lesli Mead
o Bill Smalley
o Alison Q. Spring - New
o Amy Thompson - New
Charles added, “On behalf of the board, I would like to express our gratitude to the nominating committee of Eric Knight, Chairman; IIise Ratner, Bill Smalley, Peter Jackson, and Maggie Raftus for their due diligence of selecting this year’s team. Also, to Matthew Friedman, who has concluded his service as 2022 President, and Bill Smalley, who is MFoA's first chair, for providing visionary leadership for the members of the board and their continuing service and counsel.”
For further information about the Marblehead Festival of Arts, visit:
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