Dance Festival Hires First Executive
Laguna Dance Festival hired longtime volunteer and board chair Joy Dittberner as its first executive director, the festival founder and artistic director Jodie Gates announced.
“Joy is just the person for the job, having worked as our de facto director for several years. She has great leadership skills and knows what needs to be done and how to do it. This position allows us to recognize and legitimize the hundreds of hours Joy pours into serving the festival,” Gates said in a statement.
Dittberner brings 23 years of experience in business development, marketing, sales and professional relations to her new position.
She moved to Laguna Beach in 1999 with her husband Tom Peters.
Familiar Name to Chair Food Pantry
Dr. Korey Jorgensen, a six-year Laguna Food Pantry board member, was elected as its chairman, the organization announced this week.
Jorgensen, who recently retired from the Laguna Beach Community Clinic, will succeed long-serving Andy Siegenfeld, who continues on the board and as volunteer.
Chamber Hires Events, Marketing Manager
The Chamber of Commerce has named Cindy Stalnaker as its events and marketing manager.
She succeeds Laura Henkels, who became the chamber’s executive director.
Stalnaker served six years on the board of the Sawdust Art Festival, where she was also involved in advertising and marketing. She is also a fused glass artist and summer exhibitor at the festival.
She holds degrees in business administration and marketing from Cal State Long Beach and advertising and communications from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.
Stalnaker resides in Laguna Beach with her husband, Charlie.
St. Joseph’s Top Executive Retires
Deborah Proctor, chief executive officer of St. Joseph Health, will retire Dec. 31. For a decade, she has guided the $6 billion Catholic health system of 16 hospitals, including Mission Hospital in Laguna Beach.
Becker’s Hospital Review named Proctor one of the nation’s top women hospital and health care leaders. Her successor has not yet been selected.
