The Arvada Center has announced the appointment of Noelle DeLage as its new President & CEO, effective July 1, 2026. DeLage transitions from her role as Chief Communications and Philanthropy Officer at the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance after a national search for candidates.
This leadership change comes as the center prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary and a successful milestone theater season. DeLage, a seasoned nonprofit executive, brings nearly a decade of experience in leadership roles, emphasizing organizational growth and community engagement.
Noelle expressed her enthusiasm for her new role: “The arts and humanities have profoundly shaped me, and I am honored to assume the leadership of the Arvada Center as it marks its 50th anniversary. I believe creativity is integral to fostering lifelong learning and cultivating environments where individuals can find a sense of belonging. I am beyond excited to welcome community members from across the region to experience magical moments, be inspired, and find a place where they belong.”
The current President & CEO, Philip Sneed, will retire at the end of June after a lengthy tenure that saw significant organizational changes, including transitioning the center from a city department to an independent nonprofit. During his leadership, Sneed also secured over $6.2 million in federal funding during the pandemic and launched an inclusion, diversity, equity, and access initiative.
Board of Directors Chair Ken Fellman stated, “On behalf of the Arvada Center’s Board of Directors, we are thrilled that Noelle DeLage will become our new President and CEO when Philip Sneed retires at the end of June. Our search committee did a tremendous amount of work and presented our Board with incredibly qualified candidates. Noelle rose to the top, and we are confident she will be the kind of leader the Arvada Center needs to be successful as we begin our next 50 years.”
DeLage’s appointment marks a new chapter for the Arvada Center as it looks to embrace future opportunities in community connection and artistic excellence.
Salary information was not provided but recent Form 990 Filings with the IRS suggest DeLage will have an annual compensation in the vicinity of $250K to $260K.
View the full list of Highest-Paid Executives at Jeffco Nonprofits
The primary source was https://arvadacenter.org/blog/noelle-delage-president-ceo.
