NEFA Appoints COO Jug Chokshi as Interim Executive Director

(Boston, MA) The Board of Directors of the New England Foundation for the Arts announced that chief operating officer Jug Chokshi will serve as the interim executive director, effective June 1, 2022. Jug will hold this role during a nationwide search for a new executive director after the departure of Cathy Edwards on May 31, 2022.

As a member of the Executive Leadership Team since 2017, Jug has worked closely with former executive director Cathy Edwards and deputy director, programs Jane Preston and is taking on this role as part of established transition planning. Jug has led NEFA's operations and finance departments for the past five years, including through the past two years of COVID, stewarding funds and managing continuous budget growth. Jane Preston will also take on an increased portfolio during this phase.

“The Board of Directors has full confidence in Jug, who is taking on this role as part of our thoughtful transition plan. Together with the accomplished NEFA staff and with the support of the board, NEFA will continue to execute our mission to invest in artists and communities and foster equitable access to the arts, enriching the cultural landscape in New England and the nation,” said NEFA board chair John Henry.

“This is an exciting time at NEFA; with a strong staff and committed Board of Directors, we will continue our work through the lens of our values of equity, diversity, intersectionality, and accessibility,” said interim executive director Jug Chokshi. “I look forward to partnering with Jane Preston and the entire NEFA staff in this interim role.”

Prior to joining NEFA, Jug held executive and financial leadership roles in several high growth social impact organizations. Most recently he served as the executive director of Resiliency for Life, an academic intervention program for youth at-risk of academic failure, where he led successful strategic efforts, improving academic outcomes, as well as the fiscal health of the organization. Jug holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Connecticut and a Masters in Business Administration from Boston University.

About NEFA

The New England Foundation for the Arts invests in artists and communities and fosters equitable access to the arts, enriching the cultural landscape in New England and the nation.  NEFA accomplishes this by granting funds to artists and cultural organizations; connecting them to networks and knowledge-building opportunities; and analyzing their economic contributions. NEFA serves as a regional partner for the National Endowment for the Arts, New England’s state arts agencies, and private foundations. Learn more at www.nefa.org