Monterey, Calif.; January 13, 2015; Monterey Jazz Festival, a leader in the jazz world since its inception in 1958, is pleased to announce that Colleen Finegan Bailey has been named the Managing Director of the Festival.
A native of Salinas, Bailey has a long history of leadership in the nonprofit and education sectors. She was the Executive Director of the National Steinbeck Center from October 2009 through 2014, and previously, was the Steinbeck Center’s Director of Community Engagement and Learning and the Director of Communications for the Santa Lucia Preserve in Carmel. Named as the 2010 Newsmaker of the Year by the Salinas Californian, Bailey was also an arts educator and administrator in schools in Colorado, and Central and Southern California. Her numerous education awards include being named Who’s Who Among American Teachers in 2000, and the 2007 National Society of High School Scholars Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction.
“I’m excited and delighted to welcome Colleen as a partner as we work together to fulfill the mission of the Monterey Jazz Festival,” said Tim Jackson, Artistic Director. “Her intellect, passion and knowledge of the community will serve us well as we work towards our 60th anniversary in 2017 and continue to expand our brand in new directions.”
“I am thrilled and honored to work alongside Tim Jackson whose artistic vision has made the Monterey Jazz Festival one of the world’s best,” said Colleen Bailey.
“Speaking on behalf of the Festival board, I can tell you we are very excited to have Colleen join our team,” said Luis M. Alvarez, President of the Monterey Jazz Festival Board of Directors. “I’ve known and worked with Colleen for years, both in her capacity at the National Steinbeck Center as well as a fellow Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Salinas. I know her as a passionate person, dedicated and committed to the challenges she takes on, so I know we have a very special person who will help Monterey Jazz Festival accomplish even more.”
A graduate of the Stevenson School in Pebble Beach, Bailey attended the University of Southern California as an undergraduate, and earned her master’s degree in theater from Northwestern University in 2000. Bailey also attended Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, where she completed the Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders at the Center for Social Innovation in 2011.
An active member in the Monterey Peninsula and Salinas Valley communities, Bailey is a member of the Rotary Club of Salinas and The Alternative Board (TAB); and has served on the boards of the Rancho San Carlos Education Foundation, Sacred Heart School, Youth Orchestra of Salinas, the Non Profit Alliance of Monterey County, the Central Coast Tourism Council; the Salinas Valley Tourism and Visitors Bureau, and the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Ms. Bailey will begin as Managing Director on January 20. The 58th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival will take place September 18-20, 2015, with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra as the Artist-In-Residence.
About Monterey Jazz Festival
The Monterey Jazz Festival celebrates the legacy of jazz, expands its boundaries, and provides opportunities to experience jazz through the creative production of performances and educational programs.
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For more information, high-resolution pictures and interview opportunities please contact:
Timothy Orr, Marketing Associate
Monterey Jazz Festival
Direct Line: 831.646.8670
Monterey Office: 831.373.3366
[email protected]
www.montereyjazzfestival.org