To all SANCA Staff, Students, and Supporters:

Kristina Wicke has stepped down as Executive Director of SANCA to focus on family life, following the recent passing of her mother.

On behalf of SANCA’s Board of Directors, we are saddened at her departure, and want to thank Kristina for her dedication and leadership. As SANCA Executive Director (ED) for the two and one-half years, she worked tirelessly to advocate for circus as an art form locally, nationally, and internationally. During her tenure she strengthened SANCA’s partnership with Cirque du Soleil – including hosting two-week national Social Circus trainings taught by Cirque professionals at SANCA – that set the stage for further trainings and collaborations. Kristina also helped forge new relationships with Kaiser Permanente and the Special Olympics, and led a team of SANCA’s Social Circus coaches at the 2017 Circus Folk Arts Festival on the National Mall. Before that, she served as a dedicated Board member, volunteer, and leader. Kristina is working with the SANCA Board of Directors to ensure as smooth a transition as possible.

The Board decided to engage an Interim ED, someone who will assist in the search for a permanent ED and who will help us prepare SANCA for that new leadership. We interviewed several excellent candidates for an Interim ED, and one has been chosen. It is my pleasure to welcome Dan Bridge as the Interim ED of SANCA.

Dan will:
• Supervise staff and building operations to ensure that SANCA maintains its daily activities and good work.
• Help staff and Board assess and strengthen organizational structures and processes.
• Work with stakeholders to finalize a strategic plan.
• Advise and participate in the process of hiring a permanent ED.

The Board has hired Dan solely on an interim basis; he will not be a candidate for the permanent position. The permanent ED search will include the creation of a search committee and will involve a national call for applicants. Board, staff, and the SANCA community will be represented in the process, one expected to take several months.

Dan has strong experience in leading organizations in similar transition. He served as the Interim ED of Seattle Audubon Society, Eastside Baby Corner, Hearing Speech & Deaf Center, Austin Foundation, and Northwest Girlchoir. In addition, he was the long-time Executive Director/Rabbi at Hillel, Foundation for Jewish Life, at the University of Washington.

His education includes both a BA and a BS from the University of Washington and an MHL and Rabbinic Ordination from Hebrew Union College. Not only all of that, but Dan is a SANCA student!

Although his start date is May 1, 2019, Dan is already beginning to meet with staff and community members. We hope you will be able to meet him soon – we are counting on your engagement to help move SANCA into the future we all welcome.

Sincerely,

Bruce A. Ritzen, SANCA Board President