Shonali Burke, former Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer at Arena Stage, named Managing Director of People’s Light
Shonali Burke, former Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer at Arena Stage, has been named Managing Director of People’s Light theater in Malvern, PA, effective June 1.
Burke’s appointment, states a release, “comes at a significant moment for People’s Light, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary season and look ahead to future growth and innovation in our artistic and community-driven programming. She joins our Producing Artistic Director Zak Berkman as a key and co-equal leader of the organization, working to advance People’s Light’s artistic and community-focused initiatives, while also spearheading strategic planning, financial management and operational oversight.”
“Shonali stood out as a leader who not only recognizes the vital role People’s Light plays in the arts landscape, but also brings the experience and passion needed to propel our mission forward,” said Katherine H. McNabb, President of the People’s Light Board of Directors. “Her proven ability to drive strategic growth while fostering collaboration and purpose makes her the ideal choice to help guide us into our next exciting chapter. We are thrilled to welcome her to the team.”
Burke joins People’s Light after having served as Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer/Vice President and Interim President-Designate at Washington, D.C.’s historic, Tony Award®-winning regional theatre, Arena Stage, home to landmark productions such as The Great White Hope, Dear Evan Hansen and Swept Away. There, she engineered the company’s dramatic post-pandemic earned revenue rebound to stability, stewarding multiple sold-out hits to significantly diversified audiences as she spearheaded the organization’s brand and growth strategy. Her servant leadership at Arena Stage led to streamlined departmental efficiencies that improved morale and productivity while increasing revenue, and her technical expertise was instrumental in bringing the company’s tech infrastructure and cyber security up to industry standards.
Prior to her time with Arena, Burke ran a successful virtual integrated marketing consultancy dedicated to helping purpose-driven organizations scale their impact, partnering with notable clients such as Oxfam America, the United Nations Foundation and USA for UNHCR. She has also been on the faculty of The Johns Hopkins University’s M.A. in Communication program since 2009, and originally started her theatre career in India, where she graduated from the prestigious National School of Drama. An early adopter of social media and data-driven storytelling, Burke’s extensive background in community-centric strategic growth, audience engagement, and data analytics serves as a springboard for her dynamic leadership that will help guide People’s Light into the future.
