Dear community,
I’m pleased to share that Deniz Conger has taken the helm as Interim Executive Director at The Circus Project! It’s been a delight to work with Deniz, who is already hitting the ground running.
Deniz brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit management, fund development, strategy, and social impact. She comes to us with a deep knowledge of the needs and inner workings of arts and health organizations, as well as a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (I’ve included her bio, below, so you can learn more about her). I’m so thrilled to have her shepherding The Circus Project forward through this next stage in our organizational growth.
Though change can be difficult, it’s also healthy and incredibly energizing. This is an opportunity for The Circus Project to really take stock of what's needed to make the circus arts landscape more equitable. I’m excited to see new leadership bring fresh perspective to our mission, our programs, and our organizational challenges and opportunities.
I’d also like to take this last opportunity to express my gratitude for your support over the years. It’s been a joy to work with such a wonderful community of staff, students, artists and supporters, and you’ve been an integral part of that. Thank you for recognizing and supporting the immense value that circus brings to individuals and communities alike.
In other news…there's a lot to look forward to this summer at The Circus Project! The Brio and Elements Training Companies just performed their final shows. The Outdoor Domes will be opening for their second season on June 17th with Living Room Circus, a vibrant multi-disciplinary showcase focused around the themes of risk and innovation. The summer season at the Domes will include a robust roster of outdoor camps and classes during the day, as well as live performances in the evenings. Our community is definitely looking forward to gathering safely and experiencing the joy and wonder of circus together. Hope you’ll be able to join us!
Again, thank you for your continued support of The Circus Project—and for all the work you do for our community. Please feel invited to reach out to Deniz or Nel Taylor, our Board Chair, with any questions, thoughts, concerns, or ideas.
With gratitude,
Kirsten Collins
Deniz H. Tasdemiroglu, MPA, CFRE, is drawn to life-changing and impactful work that is focused on addressing our world’s most pressing challenges and advancing missions that transform our world. She is a nonprofit and fund development executive with 25+ years of experience working directly in the nonprofit community including health care systems, education, colleges/universities, arts/cultural centers, human service and humanitarian NGOs, and social change organizations. Experienced in leading nonprofits, teams, boards, and communities through multi-million-dollar capital and comprehensive campaigns, program expansion, revenue growth, and change management, she is a globally minded leader dedicated to building community-centered, equitable, and inclusive philanthropy programs. Motivated by organizational cultures prioritizing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and advancing social impact goals.
Deniz is the co-founder of Illumeworks, a social impact startup and founding principal of GoMavi Nonprofit Consulting. Her interests in community building, cultural engagement, and volunteering started early in her life as a first generation American growing up in a cultural community. Those early experiences along with her academic and professional pursuits have grown into a lifelong passion for public service, social innovation, and advocacy. She also serves on nonprofit boards and volunteers with several Oregon and national nonprofits. Deniz is a University of Michigan alumna and holds bachelor and master’s degrees in political science, environmental policy, public policy, and nonprofit administration.