Ballet Arizona announces the appointment of eight new members  who will bring their “unique business experience” to the organization. 

“We are so pleased to have this powerhouse group of Valley leaders join our board,” said Samantha Turner, Ballet Arizona executive director, in a prepared statement. 

Appointees include six members who joined in the 2019-2020 season and two in the 2020-2021 season, according to the release noting how each member will help the Valley’s only professional ballet company expand its reach and knowledge in their areas of expertise.

• Jenny Holsman Tetreault, region general counsel of the West and Northwest regions of US Foods, joined the Ballet Arizona board during the 2019-2020 season. An active member in the Valley nonprofit community, she was named one of the Most Influential Women in Arizona Business by AZ Big Media in 2020.
• Barbara Katz, who joined the board in the 2019-2020 season, was an emergency medicine consultant, trainer and columnist. After living in Manhattan for 22 years, she relocated to Phoenix in 2007 where she joined Ballet Arizona’s Prima Circle as a supporting member. As part of the Ballet Arizona board, she serves on the board’s marketing committeee.
• Doug Ball, retired from a 37-year career in aeronautics, he is the former director for enterprise-wide technology strategy development at Boeing and a Ballet Arizona board member since the 2019-2020 season. Throughout his career he served as a consultant for NASA, the National Research Council and the U.S. Air Force.
• Mary Ann Luciano joined the board in the 2019-2020 season. The vice president for philanthropy for Plexus, she has worked for some of the largest global cosmetics companies developing sales leaders around the world. She also serves on the board of Cancer Support Community of Arizona.
• Stephanie Lantz, US Bank senior vice president/commercial real estate relationship manager, joined the board in the 2019-2020 season and is a CPA with a bachelor of finance from Arizona State University.
• Kristen Boilini is a managing partner at Pivotal Policy Consulting with more than 30 years of experience in politics. She is an advocate for business, government and nonprofits plus has public affairs expertise. She joined the Ballet Arizona’s board in the 2019-2020 season.
• Paul Hommert, new to the board in the 2020-2021 season, is the former director of Sandia National Laboratories. He oversaw 11,000 employees and managed an annual operating revenue of $3 billion.
• Curtiss Smith is a senior vice president and banking practice leader with Northern Trust’s wealth management division. He has served on the boards of Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants, Arcadia Little League and Executive Council Charities. He joins as board member in the 2020-2021 season.

Ballet Arizona is the official ballet company of Arizona,with a mission to create, perform, and teach outstanding classical and contemporary ballet, the release said of the company dedicated to preserving and celebrating classical dance while creating and commissioning new innovative works.

“In their brief time one our board, they have already made valuable contributions and we are confident that their expertise will continue to assist our organization as we face the challenges that 2020 has brought to so many nonprofits. We know they will be a tremendous asset as we broaden our education programs, company and community engagement during this time,” Ms. Turner added.