Renae Williams Niles, Part 2: A Journey of Career, Caregiving, and Community

“I just hope that I can still be of value and make an impact”

 

A continued, inspired conversation with Renae Williams Niles. In this episode, Renae shares her experience and advice on the reality of being in the “sandwich generation” as she cares for her parents (2:00), travel and work as a mother (12:00), and co-producing the nation’s Juneteenth celebration at the Hollywood Bowl (20:00).

 

Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson

Guest: Renae Williams Niles

Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions

 

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Consulting Website http://renaewnconsulting.com/

USC Website https://kaufman.usc.edu/board/renae-williams-niles/

 

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More about Renae Williams Niles:

For three decades, Renae Williams Niles has worked within the nonprofit sector in many capacities including executive director of an education foundation, chief operating officer/diversity liaison for a university dance school, touring dance company manager, grantmaker for Los Angeles County, vice president of programming/dance presenter, chief content and engagement officer, adjunct professor for a graduate arts management program, and as a consultant/guest curator and moderator. Renae’s career has allowed her to work with/advise/present/commission new work by over 100 different dance companies, choreographers, directors and also moderate conversations with acclaimed dance, music, literary and film trailblazers. 

Early in her career, she worked with the Lula Washington Dance Theatre as an apprentice dancer and eventually company manager overseeing national touring of the professional company. Renae worked as the marketing/special projects manager for Grand Performances (formerly California Plaza Presents), a free outdoor presenting organization. She also served as director of grant programs for the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, where she devised the Commission’s first economic impact report and participated in the selection of artists for the Ford Amphitheatre. Renae was the first chief operating officer/associate dean of administration for the University of Southern California Kaufman School of Dance, and also authored their equity plan and co-led diversity and inclusion efforts. She also served as the executive director for the Culver City Education Foundation, funding district-wide essential programs and priorities for one of the most diverse K-12 public school districts in the state of California. For three years, Renae was adjunct faculty for Claremont Graduate University’s Arts Management program. Most recently, she was the chief content and engagement officer, overseeing five departments of the Los Angeles Philharmonic including all programming across all venues, marketing/communications, learning/Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles and government and community engagement. While with the LA Phil, Renae oversaw the collaboration with Live Nation Urban in co-producing the nation’s Juneteenth Celebration at the Hollywood Bowl, aired live on CNN for millions ar