NEW ORLEANS – Sally Perry, the executive director of the NOCCA Foundation, has announced her retirement, effective July 1.
In November 1998, Perry was chosen to helm the NOCCA Foundation and carry out its mission to support the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. For over 25 years, she has led the nonprofit through capital campaigns, land acquisition and turbulent times that include Hurricane Katrina and the COVID-19 pandemic.
During her tenure, she helped the foundation raise tens of millions of dollars, and she is credited with spearheading the creation of NOCCA’s culinary arts program and its Academic Studio program, in which roughly half of school’s student body is enrolled.
“It has been an incredible honor and privilege to serve as the executive director of the NOCCA Foundation,” she said in a press release. “Witnessing the artistic growth and achievements of NOCCA’s students has been the highlight of my career, and being able to play a role in support of them will remain one of my proudest achievements.”
“Sally has been a transformative leader, guiding the foundation with vision and dedication,” said Shanekah Johnson, president of the NOCCA Foundation board. “As a trained artist herself, she has a deep appreciation for the arts and arts education. Her legacy will endure in the countless students whose lives have been touched by the foundation’s programs under her stewardship. We thank Sally for her unwavering commitment and wish her the very best in the next chapter of her life.”
The NOCCA Foundation has begun a nationwide search for a new executive director. The search is being managed by The Jones Group of New Orleans.
