Prison Performing Arts is thrilled to announce that Shannon Durio is joining the PPA team as our new Managing Director! Shannon will serve in partnership with Artistic Director, Christopher Limber, and Director of Youth Programs, Rachel Tibbetts, to provide executive and programmatic leadership for PPA, and continue to sustain and build the company's fundraising potential, administrative and fiscal well-being, and programmatic growth. Shannon's expertise will provide a welcome support for PPA's unique artistic initiatives in the Missouri criminal and juvenile justice systems.
“The board and staff are very excited to have Shannon join PPA this August. She brings a remarkable wealth of experience and a comprehensive understanding of the workings and demands of our unique and important mission to her position. She understands and believes in the current work and legacy of PPA - utilizing art to heal and sustain the lives of incarcerated artists and justice-involved youth. She values the St. Louis community, and has exceptional knowledge based on her years of working with the St. Louis philanthropic community.” said Artistic Director, Christopher Limber.
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Shannon to PPA. She joins Christopher Limber, Rachel Tibbetts and the PPA Board at a very exciting time as we look to further extend and enhance PPA's statewide reach and impact. Shannon's background in non-profit development in Saint Louis is impressive and extensive, and she is well acquainted with and inspired by the impact and long history of PPA. With her substantial insight and skills added to the creative force of Chris and Rachel, we are incredibly excited about PPA's next chapter,” said Tara Nealey, PPA Board President.
Shannon Durio comes to PPA with 15 years of development and marketing experience for national and regional nonprofit organizations, including the American Cancer Society, March of Dimes, Concordance Academy, and the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition. She has specialized in meeting substantive target revenue goals for multimillion-dollar budgets, grant writing, improving donor relations and community and corporate outreach, building volunteer recruitment and leading and managing organizational special-event planning. As Director of Donor Engagement, she played a key role in helping raise nearly $5 million to support programs and services benefiting foster/adoptive families in the St. Louis region. For Concordance Academy of Leadership (annual budget of $5+ million) Shannon led the planning and execution of three annual galas; each averaging 500 guests and raising nearly $1 million. Additionally, she has extensive experience in marketing and communications, helping drive organizational engagement through multi-channel social media campaigns, traditional print and electronic collateral, and donor correspondence. Shannon received a B.A. in Communication Studies and an M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Judson University in Elgin, Illinois.
“In January of 2018, I saw the production of Run-On Sentence in Vandalia, and throughout was deeply moved to laughter and tears. Not only was the acting of the highest caliber, but the artistry and emotional capacity of each actor gripped me. In the after-show talkback when the women spoke about the role PPA had played in their journey, I knew there was something incredibly special about the organization. I have been a committed supporter since that day.
The work PPA is doing is transformational for these incarcerated artists, and I am humbled that I can be a vital part of their story. I look forward to partnering with Chris, Rachel, and the Board of Directors, to inspire our community to listen, to give, and to welcome these returning citizens home one day.”