The Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) in Pleasantville, a nonprofit educational and cultural institution dedicated to presenting the best of independent, documentary and world cinema has named Mary Jo Ziesel as its new executive director beginning Sept. 7.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mary Jo Ziesel as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary,” JBFC Board Chair Lynn Sobel said. “We are extremely fortunate to have someone of Mary Jo”™s caliber at the helm as we launch our third decade. She is an accomplished, passionate arts and culture executive with a long tenure of successful leadership within premier arts organizations and higher education institutions.”
Over two decades of leadership at the American Ballet Theatre (ABT), Ziesel developed a thriving $7 million center of innovation serving more than 20,000 students. Additionally, she led ABT”™s efforts to ensure a continuing online presence with its public and private school partners and expanded its community engagement offerings. She earned her bachelor”™s degree from the University of Wisconsin, and a Master of Arts from New York University. She is a doctoral candidate at Teachers College, Columbia University.
Kara Medoff Barnett, executive director of ABT, speaking of Ziesel”™s departure, said “Mary Jo”™s leadership has been transformational and her impact on ABT will live on in the extraordinary staff she has mentored and in the talent pipeline she has helped to cultivate.”
The Jacob Burns Film Center is a nonprofit arts and education hub located on a three-building campus in the New York metro area. The JBFC brings the transformative power of film to the surrounding community through unique programming and discussion, shared experiences and educational initiatives. Since opening in 2001, millions of people have enjoyed the best of current American and foreign cinema, unique film series and special events at the five-screen theater complex.
