Robert Chelimsky

I've spent nearly 30 years as a non-profit arts leader. I'm proud to support today's storytellers by serving as Managing Director of the Playwrights' Center. I'm proud of that work because I believe, quite literally, that creating space for new storytellers to tell new stories will lead us to stronger communities and a more peaceful world. As a non-profit leader, I believe that many in our field struggle to maintain our relevance in these challenging and changing times, I believe that too many of us have forgotten what it means that we were once known as the mission-based sector of the economy. Our organizational ethos, our modes of service- even our financial structures must emanate from mission; from our "why," rather than the other way around. I'm a dedicated dad, and my own personal why is to make the world a better place for my daughters by helping organizations get back to and keeping focus on their whys.