Executive Team

Cookie Gregory Ruiz, C.F.R.E., Executive Director // 512.476.9151 ext. 110

Ms. Ruiz has more than 25 years experience in the areas of strategic planning, program development and non-profit fundraising/management, which includes work with the United Way and the American Red Cross. She holds the professional designation of Certified Fund Raising Executive (C.F.R.E.) by the Association of Fundraising Professionals since 2002. Her community honors include Austin Business Journal's "Profiles in Power" award, Austin Community Foundation's Beverly S. Sheffield Award/Excellence as Nonprofit Executive, The American Red Cross "Clara Barton Medal of Honor," Volunteer of the Year for the Austin Independent School District, the Lone Star Girl Scout Council "Women of Distinction" Award, The Junior League of Austin's Volunteer Extraordinaire and is a former President of The Junior League of Austin. Ms. Ruiz is a member of the Mayor Lee Leffingwell's Citizen Cabinet and is a graduate of Austin's CityWorks Academy.

Ms. Ruiz is a past Chair of the national Board of Trustees of Dance/USA, Chair of the "CreateAustin" 2006-2010 city-wide cultural planning process, 2010-12 Citizens Advisory Council for Austin's Comprehensive Plan (ImagineAustin), a member of the national Board of Directors of the Performing Arts Alliance (Washington DC), a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Board of Directors of Texans for the Arts, the Board of Directors of Austin HousingWorks, the Board of Directors and former Board Chair of Con Mi Madre, and a Community Advisor to the Young Women's Alliance (YWA). As a graduate of Leadership Austin, Ms. Ruiz served as a member of the Leadership Austin Board of Directors and co-founded the diversity/principle-based curriculum for the Teen Leadership Austin program. Additionally, Ms. Ruiz provided the research and development for the nationally recognized Junior League of Austin Hispanic Mother/Daughter Program (Con Mi Madre), as well as three other nationally replicated social service programs. Her volunteer efforts are dedicated to working with nonprofit organizations in the areas of strategic planning and organizational development.

Ms. Ruiz has serves as a speaker, facilitator and presenter for a variety of leadership conferences, including the National Conference on Community Leadership, the National Performing Arts Conference, the National Conference of Dance/USA, The Governor's Women's Business Leadership Forum, Americans for the Arts, The University of Pennsylvania's Institute for Urban Research, and the Texas Commission on the Arts. In 1996 Ms. Ruiz joined the staff of Ballet Austin as development director, became general manager in 1997 and executive director in 1999.

	Barbara Shack, Executive Administrator // 512.476.9151 ext. 110
	Gail Romney, Director of Operations & Finance // 512.476.9151 ext. 111
	Timothy Dillon, Marketing Director // 512.476.9151 ext. 118
	Christi Cuellar, Development Director // 512.476.9151 ext. 124
	Pei-San Brown, Community Education Director // 512.476.9151 ext. 178
	Sandra Krempasky, Sales Director // 512.476.9151 ext. 119
	William Piner, Academy Director // 512.476.9151 ext. 123
	Vicki Parsons, Butler Community School Director // 512.476.9151 ext. 126
	Vlada Sheber, Pilates Program Director // 512.476.9151 ext. 135
	Billie Buddenhagen, Facilities Director // 512.476.9151 ext. 122
	Brooke Holmes, Senior Development Associate // 512.476.9151 ext. 114
	Suzie Carter, Development Administrator // 512.476.9151 ext 109
	Vanesa Botero-Lowry, Sales & Accounting Associate // 512.476.9151 ext 121
	Holland Angel, Digital Media Manager // 512.476.9151 ext 137
	Aaron Majors, Marekting & Promotions Manager // 512.476.9151 ext 140
	Stephanie Locklear, Project Coordinator & Customer Relations// 512.476.9151 ext. 102
	Eve Anderson, Registrar & Customer Relations // 512.476.9151 ext. 138
	Kaitlyn Moise, Community Education Associate // 512.476.9151 ext. 142
	Stacy Dunavan, Patron's Services // 512.476.9151 ext. 100
	Michael Owens, Patron's Services // 512.476.9151 ext. 100