Sarasota Chalk Festival names Sheila Foley executive manager

Sarasota Chalk Festival’s Founder and Chair Denise Kowal announced in a press release Monday that Sheila Foley will act as the executive manager for Avenida de Colores, Inc. that organizes the Sarasota Chalk Festival.

Kowal says this is the first time the festival has had someone in this position, and Foley will work directly under Kowal and the board of directors in managing around 50 committees consisting of volunteers.

“It became apparent that I needed a manager, so I could focus on my strengths with the creative aspects of the festival,” says Kowal in an email.

Foley volunteered for the festival in the 2012 season as stage manager where she curated the performance talent. But she has a wide variety of skill sets, and also acted as the seamstress and designer of costumes for the VIP party.

“Sheila exhibits great pride in improving the management of our organization and always approaches her position with great energy, dedication and enthusiasm,” Kowal says.

Foley has previous experience in working as operations manager and event/project manager for Temple Israel of New York City for five years.