06/06/2026
Some journeys come full circle.
I am honored to share that I have accepted the role of Co-Executive Director of Education and Operations at Shawl-Anderson Dance Center.
This appointment feels deeply personal. Long before I ever imagined serving in a leadership role, Shawl-Anderson was part of my life. My mother, Jamila Salimpour, knew founders Frank Shawl and Victor Anderson as fellow pillars of the Bay Area dance and arts community. They were artists, visionaries, and builders who helped shape the cultural landscape that so many of us continue to benefit from today.
As a child, I studied at Shawl-Anderson. Years later, my daughter Isabella also danced within these walls. Over the decades, SADC has remained a home for artists, students, dreamers, and community members seeking connection through movement.
To now help steward this organization feels both humbling and meaningful. I carry with me a profound respect for its history, a deep commitment to its future, and a belief in the power of dance to transform lives and build community.
I am especially grateful to be stepping into this role alongside my fellow Co-Executive Director, Jill Randall. I look forward to learning from one another, building on the remarkable legacy of Shawl-Anderson, and supporting this community together.
Thank you for all the love and encouragement you have shown me. I am excited for this next chapter and all that we will build together.
Sometimes the paths we walk as children become the places we are called to serve as adults.
