CLEVELAND (June 18, 2024) – Gina Vernaci was nominated by County Executive Chris Ronayne and confirmed by County Council to serve on the Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) Board of Trustees.

CAC, an independent public agency, is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of five members who serve rotating three-year terms without compensation.  All Board members are nominated by the Cuyahoga County Executive and confirmed by Cuyahoga County Council. 

Ms. Vernaci formerly served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Playhouse Square, where she was responsible for all operations of the nonprofit performing arts center. She launched initiatives that positioned Playhouse Square as a nationally renowned cultural, tourist, and entertainment destination, as well as the country’s largest performing arts center outside of New York City. Presently, Gina is co-producing the tour and New York engagement of The Wiz. Widely recognized as a strategist to executives in the Broadway and performing arts industries, she is a lifetime voter of the Tony Awards.

“Gina is a valued leader in our nonprofit arts and culture community,” said Jill M. Paulsen, executive director of Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. “Her experience and fresh thinking are an asset to our organization, and we are excited to welcome her to the CAC Board of Trustees.”

Ms. Vernaci takes the place of former Trustee Nancy Mendez and has been appointed to a nine-month term ending March 31, 2025. Ms. Mendez left CAC’s Board to be appointed by Cuyahoga County to serve on the Board of MetroHealth.

All CAC Board of Trustees meetings are open to the public. Learn more and view a schedule of upcoming meetings at cacgrants.org/about-us/board.

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC) is a regional arts and cultural district and a political subdivision of the state.  Established by voters in 2006, CAC is the largest arts and culture funder in the region. To date CAC has made over 3,000 grants, totaling over $247M in tax dollars, to more than 485 organizations serving County residents. 

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Photos:

View Gina Vernaci’s bio and headshot here.