CSB/SJU Fine Arts Programming names Tanya Gertz as new executive director

Tanya Gertz has been named executive director of Fine Arts Programming at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University. 

Gertz has served as the director of campus programming at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, since 2005. She oversaw all programming and facility use for Luther College and coordinated all community and campus marketing initiatives for the Center Stage Series. 

In 2015, Gertz was selected as one of 24 participants in the first cohort of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters' Leadership Fellows Program. As part of the program, she contributed to the growth and development of performing arts in a changing world. She has been president of Iowa Arts Presenters since 2006, co-chair for the 2011 Midwest Arts Conference as well as an APAP Emerging Leader. 

Prior to her current position, Gertz served as the coordinator of grants and programs at the Decorah Public Library, where she coordinated and publicized education and book events and collaborated with community leaders to develop programming. Her previous experience also includes working in Chicago at the Northwestern Memorial Foundation, the AIDS Pastoral Care Network and the Lutheran Volunteer Corps. 

Gertz received her undergraduate education from Valparaiso (Indiana) University and also studied nonprofit philanthropy and fundraising at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. 

Gertz will assume her new role beginning in September. She replaces Brian Jose, who served as executive director from 2008-15.