Dan Ross
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – Arts United announced this week that Dan Ross has been appointed as the new President and CEO of the organization. An experienced arts business leader, Ross will succeed Susan Mendenhall and assume responsibilities in late January 2023.
Ross brings more than 35 years of experience in arts administration, nonprofit management, fund development, arts advocacy, and performance operations to the role of President and CEO, including the past 13 years as a member of the Arts United Staff.
Representatives with Arts United released the following:
“Susan Mendenhall leaves the organization in an incredibly strong position and well positioned for the future,” said John Rogers, Chair of Arts United Board of Directors. “Given his current level of involvement in Arts United’s initiatives, we as a Board are confident that Dan Ross will continue to lead the current strategic plan and programs in service to the communities of Northeast Indiana.”
Most recently in his role as Vice President of Community Development alongside Mendenhall, Ross has co-led major initiatives like Arts United’s A Soaring Vision capital campaign to modernize and expand the Arts United Center since the inception of it at the master planning stage. His previous work as General Manager and Interim Executive Director at the Fort Wayne Philharmonic provided him experience in organizational leadership, artistic and administrative personnel management, and program operations.
“I am confident in the future of Arts United and confident in the talents and commitment of our Board and Staff team of leaders,” said Dan Ross. “Arts United has served our community well the past several years under the excellent leadership of Susan Mendenhall and John Rogers. Our focus now is on ensuring a smooth and effective leadership transition for Staff, Board, partner organizations, vendors, and other key stakeholders. Our Board and Staff look forward to building on our current momentum.”
Arts United’s Board of Directors and Staff are incredibly grateful to Susan Mendenhall for her years of leadership at Arts United and service to the arts and culture community as a whole. As the organization moves forward with Dan Ross as President and CEO, the Board and Staff are excited about the modernization and expansion of the Arts United Center and will stay on track with this critically important project.
Learn more about Arts United and its initiatives at artsunited.org.
