The organization looks forward to continued focus on quality cultural arts
Houston, TX, Sept. 2 – Houston’s Ensemble Theatre, the oldest and largest professional African American theatre in the Southwest, has named finance and management professional Sharon Samuel as its Managing Director. Ms. Samuel, whose prior connection to the Ensemble Theatre includes subscriber, donor, and service as Treasurer of its Board of Directors, will assume the duties of former Executive Director Janette L. Cosley who retired earlier this year. Ms. Samuel will bring her extensive experience in accounting, finance, and operations and her strategic leadership and process optimization skills to The Ensemble as the organization continues to focus on bringing quality cultural arts and youth enrichment programming to the Houston community.
“Following a nationwide recruitment effort to staff this essential position,” reports Board President, Jesse Tyson, “we were delighted to find the ideal candidate already working among the Theatre’s talented, dedicated team.”
A Certified Public Accountant, Sharon Samuel holds a Master of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Houston and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Sam Houston State University. She received her Nonprofit Finance Certificate from Rice University’s Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies and is also certified in Women’s Studies and as a Project Management Professional.
An avid live theater participant, Samuel states, “It is truly an honor to be given the opportunity to lead and advance the mission of The Ensemble Theatre; a premiere, culturally rich organization posed to tell the varied stories of African Americans. I am looking forward to working with and leveraging the collective experiences of the staff, community, and collaborators to continue enriching the lives of Houstonians and visitors alike.”
A native Texan, Samuel began her career in public accounting with Ernst & Young and later rose through the ranks of CenterPoint Energy, transitioning from audit to finance to electric distribution operations. As part of her service with The Ensemble Theatre, she successfully led the implementation of electronic payments processing, information digitization, and revision of the organization’s policies and procedures.
Ensemble Board Vice President of Operations, Lynda House-McPeters notes that Samuel’s professional and academic pedigree are perfectly suited for her role as Managing Director.
“Ms. Samuel’s experience in the non-profit world complements her experience in managing the financial operations of programs with a multimillion-dollar organization,” said House-McPeters. “We will call on her talent and leadership skills to engage and direct our volunteers, support staff, and management professionals in pursuit of the Ensemble Theatre’s mission.”
Sharon Samuel assumed her duties on July 1, 2021.
