Paloma Patterson, Executive Director

Paloma Patterson, Executive Director, has been with Malashock Dance since 2005. A former modern dancer, she brings over nine years experience in the nonprofit sector. Prior to joining Malashock Dance, she spent five years as the Business and Marketing Director for SPACE (School of Performing Arts and Cultural Education) in Ukiah, CA. Paloma has also spent many years performing, teaching and producing events. She co-directed a musical theater class for children ages 9-13, for which she co-wrote a musical with a message of peace that toured to five local elementary schools. As the director of WAVE (Watch Anderson Valley Excel) an in-school performing arts program at the elementary, junior and high school levels, she taught dance, led workshops, invited guest artists and directed an after-school performing arts program. She has also taught Creative Movement for five & six year olds.

A native of California, Paloma attended Mills College and New College of California, San Francisco, where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Humanities with an emphasis in Community Cultural Development through the Performing Arts. Paloma has both a Master’s of Art degree and Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego and American Humanics, respectively.

Her international nonprofit experience includes a study abroad program for Nonprofits and Civil Society in Guatemala and coursework and consulting for bi-national nonprofit organizations along the U.S.-Mexico border.

She is a current member of the San Diego Nonprofit Professionals Network, and a volunteer for the San Diego Foundation for Change, Border Encuentro, and Amigos de Fundación Nahual (Antigua, Guatemala). She most recently served as a grant panelist for the California Arts Council Artists in Schools Program in Sacramento, CA. In 2003, she was named California Big Sister of the Year for Big Brothers/Big Sisters.