Announcing: The Incubator for Executive Leaders of Color Participants 2026
The free program will provide leadership training and community support to 18 arts leaders from April to October.
New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) is pleased to congratulate the 18 leaders who were selected to participate in the sixth iteration of the Incubator for Executive Leaders of Color program. This free program will provide leadership training and community support to participants from arts and cultural organizations based in the five boroughs of New York City or Tri-State area—within commuting distance of New York City.
The Incubator for Executive Leaders of Color is an outgrowth of NYFA’s Emerging Leaders program that has served over 200 leaders since 2013. The 2026 program is supported in part by the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation and Rockefeller Brothers Foundation.
NYFA fosters the professional development of leaders of Color and aims to encourage both the sustainability and success of their organizations and the equitability and diversity of the arts industry through programs like the Incubator for Executive Leaders of Color. NYFA believes that investments in cultural infrastructure build stronger links and shared knowledge between artists and arts administrators, which benefits the entire field.
2026 Incubator for Executive Leaders of Color
Daniella Benavides, Director of People and Culture, Alliance of Resident Theatres/New York
Courtney J. Boddie, Vice President of Education & School Engagement, New Victory Theater/New 42
Elz Cuya Jones, Executive Director, Broadway Advocacy Coalition
Desiree Elder, Executive Artistic Director, New Heritage Theatre Group
Marielena Ferrer-Harrington, Executive Director, Unison Arts
Jonathan Gardenhire, Deputy Director, Socrates Sculpture Park
Ferlaisa Gomez, Director of Financial Planning & Analysis, Brooklyn Academy of Music
Julia L. Gutiérrez-Rivera, Interim Executive Director, Los Pleneros de la 21
Ashley Hart Adams, Executive Director, Drama Club
Pamela Hernandez Hower, Director of Marketing and Communications, El Museo del Barrio
HC Huynh, Deputy Director, The Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts
Amen Igbinosun, Executive Director, JACK Arts Inc
Rashida Ladner-Seward, Artistic-Executive Director, Universal Temple of the Arts
Lakimja Mattocks,Chief People and Culture, LEAP
Rayyan Mikati, Assistant Director of Community Partnerships and Public Art, Battery Park City Authority
Martha Lorena Preve Ayora, Co-Artistic Director, Frigid New York Inc
Elis Shin, Deputy Director, Open House New York
Tiffany Vega, Executive Director, Hip-Hop Education Center
This program is part of NYFA Learning, which includes professional development for artists and arts administrators. Sign up for NYFA’s free bi-weekly newsletter to receive updates on future programs.