The Dance Umbrella of Ontario (“DUO”) is very proud of the work that has been done in the last two years with Jennifer Bennett as Managing Director and at this time announces that Jennifer will step down as Managing Director as of May 29, 2015. 

Jennifer has been a wonderful Managing Director; staff, clients and funders alike agree that Jennifer was instrumental in DUO’s re-emergence as a true partner to dancers and dance companies and a leader in the community.   While the DUO Board of Directors will miss Jennifer, we congratulate her on her upcoming marriage and support her decision to seek new challenges.  In the interim, she remains DUO’s Managing Director and it is business as usual at DUO.  Jennifer has taken an active role in the hiring process and will be part of the decision making team that chooses a replacement. 

To this end, DUO has engaged the services of Genovese Vanderhoof and Associates to assist in the location and selection of suitable candidates for the position of Managing Director.  A job description and call for interested candidates will be posted next week.  The DUO Board seeks candidates who are qualified, driven, capable, organised, energetic and arts focused.  The successful candidate will need to demonstrate a clear understanding of DUO’s role within the community and the ability to meet DUO’s client’s needs.

As part of its succession plan, DUO is also announcing that Jennifer will remain part of DUO, and will transition to the DUO Board of Advisors, effective June 1, 2015.  In her new role Jennifer will assist in DUO’s new Managing Director transition, ensuring continuity and the preservation of institutional knowledge and intellectual capital. Additionally, Jennifer will provide mentorship, as needed, to the Managing Director and advise, generally to the Board as DUO continues to evolve; expanding both its current services and client base. 

DUO will be hosting an event towards the end of May to celebrate Jennifer’s contribution to the organisation, her future contributions and to introduce DUO’s new Managing Director.  Please join DUO’s Board in congratulating Jennifer on a job well done and on her exciting new life.