Bonnie Guttman, an Inverness resident who has significant experience with local governments and nonprofits, will become the Dance Palace Community Center’s new executive director starting March 15. The hire comes as the nonprofit creates a task force to take a closer look at its programming.
“We are really happy with Bonnie. We wanted someone local who was part of the community,” said Heidi Koenig, the board president.
Ms. Guttman’s work in West Marin is extensive. She managed the Point Reyes Farmers Market for three years between 2009 and 2011; served as the Community Land Trust Association of West Marin’s interim executive director for seven months before Kim Thompson took the helm; helped create the Point Reyes Station Historic Walking Tours; and been an economic development consultant for local organizations, including for Think Local First West Marin, work that helped secure a $25,000 county grant, according to her online resume.
Before moving to West Marin, she worked for the town of Danville for several years as a planner and economic development coordinator. “Nonprofits and local government have a lot of similarities… They are both working towards doing good for the public,” she said.
Ms. Guttman also serves on KWMR’s board and the farmers market’s steering committee. “One of the things that really stood out to me…is that she is a board member herself,” Ms. Koenig said. “With the board-executive director relationship, to know what it’s like to be on the other side is important.”
Ms. Koenig also praised her style. “She listens,” she said. “It seems to me that she takes into account everyone’s opinions.”
Ms. Guttman’s decision to seek the job stems from a renewed urge, given the national mood, to “be part of the community,” she said. “To me, the Dance Palace is the heart of the community.”
She replaces Alison Marks, a Petaluma resident who, after the nonprofit’s broader search in 2015 for a new leader, left last fall after just one year at the post. Ms. Guttman said she does not intend to leave any time soon, a sentiment Ms. Koenig echoed. “She’s got plans to stick to it and make it grow and really put her all into it… She’s in for it,” she said.
Ms. Koenig emphasized that the board hopes Ms. Guttman can search for more grants for the organization, which has had some financial struggles in years past, including losing a grant from the Marin Community Foundation in 2014.
“Obviously the bottom line is keeping it afloat, and that’s part of the challenge: how do you create revenue and keep the lights on and pay staff, but also have events and programs that are affordable?” Ms. Koenig said.
The new programming task force will also help guide the nonprofit. Ms. Koenig said she herself joined the board a year ago because she wanted to help boost programs for teenagers, which are lacking.
“There’s nothing there for teens right now, and there should be,” Ms. Koenig said.
Ms. Guttman—who said that “programming-wise, it seems we need some more energy in the building”—has ideas, but did not want to reveal them too early. But, she said, she is generally keen on partnerships.