News
April 12, 2024Jean Leonard, Current Chief of Staff, Promoted to President
Philip Morris, CEO of Proctors Collaborative, today announced the promotion of Jean Leonard to President.
Leonard, currently the chief of staff and head of programming, has served the institution for 12 years. In that time, in addition to program responsibility and duties in the office of the CEO, she has intermittently been responsible for other departments as well as special projects.
President is a new position at the Collaborative and is reflective of continued recovery from the nearly two-year shutdown during COVID and the expanding portfolio of activities that the Collaborative embraces. The President will head all operations day to day and continue to lead an expanded programming department.
“While COVID knocked our socks off four years ago, as we reopened, the community has returned to our buildings in Albany, Schenectady and Saratoga Springs,” said Morris. “As we stabilize, we need to pursue new long-term goals that make it important to keep our daily management focused and with clear leadership. Jean is well-positioned for that responsibility. In addition, with our expanding Capital Region presence, the role of president expands our organization’s public voice and footprint.”
The Collaborative manages the collection of Proctors facilities in Schenectady, as well as Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany and Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs. In addition, the Collaborative operates a micro-utility in Schenectady and a regionwide education initiative that includes programs such as the High School Musical Theatre Awards and On-The-Go! school tours.
“It is a daily privilege to work with my colleagues at the Collaborative, doing the work of bringing music and theatre to our communities and contributing to the ‘quality of place’ we enjoy in the Capital Region. I’m thrilled to take on this new role, and I look forward to all the opportunities it offers,” Leonard says.
“Jean has been part of our board of directors conversations for as long as I can remember,” said Proctors Board Chairman Raimundo Archibold. “She has an excellent reputation in the field, exudes institutional competence and, together with Philip as CEO, gives us a long view into the future of the Collaborative in the region.”
Jean Leonard is a native of New York State having grown up in New Hartford, attained her B.A. in Psychology and Vocal Performance from the State University of New York at Geneseo and lived the last 27 years in the Capital Region. Her career path has varied, from youth ministry to job placement, human resources to arts administration. When she isn’t working, Jean can be found singing at varied stages or houses of worship in the area, or enjoying her kayak, her bicycle or a good book. She and her husband, Rob live in Delmar with their three fabulous young adult children.
