A Fond Farewell
WAA loses campaign to keep Jennifier Stewart.
“You better come back!” shouted the hundreds of WAA members gathered in San Diego to Jennifier upon learning of her upcoming three-month sabbatical. This was the first salvo of a concerted campaign to ensure Jennifier Stewart would return to WAA after her hard-earned time off. But conference app love bombs and text messages were no match against the next great adventure. After ten years as WAA’s Conference Manager, we say goodbye and thank you to Jennifier for her many years of service.
“Jennifier’s journey is a testament to her hard work and dedication,” said WAA Executive Director Joshua Heim. “She stuck around during the hard times – a pandemic and a major leadership transition. I’m personally grateful to her for helping to rebuild the conference and for all the care and attention she showered on our members at a time when they needed it the most. We’re better because of Jennifier.”
Her last day is December 20th and is helping to make a smooth a transition. Good luck, Jennifier, and best of luck to you!
Jennifier at the Cliffs of Moher in November.
A note from Jennifier:
You ever just wake up one morning and quit your job? Well, I didn’t do that! But I did start idly wondering some time ago about my future and just how long I wanted to be the Conference Manager at Western Arts Alliance. And then I would think about my friends in the exhibit hall, and all the committee members I got to support, our consortia members, and all of those from whom I learn, and I wondered: who I would be without them (without you, if you’re reading this)? It all got quite existential.
Eventually, after a long period of on-and-off again soul-searching, I did reach the decision that it was time to move along. I have been at WAA for ten years, and for ten years before that, I worked at the Broadway League. My entire career has been in the membership association sector. I became interested in trying my skills in a different arena. You know. . . new challenges and all the rest of it. So I am leaving the performing arts field and will try-on a new career in government, working for the City of Portland.
I would like to publicly thank each of WAA’s board presidents since my arrival in 2014 for their loyal leadership and examples they set. They are: Renae Williams-Niles, Beth Macmillan, Cory Baker, Eleanor Oldham, Joe McIalwain, Tony Gomez and Joseph Copley-Ventura Diaz. I would also like to recognize and thank WAA’s Executive Directors during my time here, Tim Wilson and Joshua Heim. I am fortunate to have worked with both, and to Tim, I give special thanks for seeing a meeting planner in me and giving me this opportunity.
To our members and community of fellow arts professionals: while I cannot thank each of you by name here, please know that I value your participation and commitment most sincerely and will take many happy memories of our time together with me, kept safe forever in my heart.
I leave WAA full of gratitude. It has been so fun, you guys.
-Jennifier