After serving as the first Executive Director for the Rancho Cucamonga Community & Arts Foundation for the past seven years, Susan Sluka Kelly is stepping down from the position while paving the way for new leadership to continue the advancement and awareness of arts in the Rancho Cucamonga community. The Foundation board has selected Bethany Encina to step into the role of Executive Director.
Bethany brings her wealth of experience in the arts to the Foundation, as both an arts teacher, active participant, and an advocate. As a longtime resident of Rancho Cucamonga, many in the community know Mrs. Encina from her ten years serving as Director of Choirs at Los Osos High School, or in her current position as Concert Choir Director at Chaffey College, or as a private voice instructor. Bethany embodies and embraces the mission of the Foundation “to enrich our community by supporting, expanding & advancing arts and cultural opportunities” and is excited to take on this important role for the arts community. After a few weeks of transitional training is complete, Sluka Kelly will step away and Ms. Encina will be well prepared to carry the torch forward.
Prior to her years with the Foundation, Ms. Sluka Kelly was hired by the City of Rancho Cucamonga in 2002 to start theatre and arts programs for the community, and later served 13 years as the Cultural Arts Manager at the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center. With such strong ties and deep love of the arts, Ms. Sluka Kelly plans to stay involved with the Foundation, and the Rancho Cucamonga arts community, and is excited to see what the future holds. In additional to new Executive Director, RCCAAF also elected new officers at the June meeting. The newly appointed Board Chair is Carin Gilfry, Vice Chair is Jillian Fowler, Secretary is Paula Pachon, and Mark Rivera will serve as Treasurer. More information about Bethany Encina and our board members, visit our About Us page, under Board of Directors.
