Shonali Burke named People’s Light Managing Director

India’s National School of Drama graduate joins the non-profit theatre with an impressive track record of strategic leadership

By Arun Kumar 

People’s Light, one of Pennsylvania’s most accomplished professional non-profit theatres, has appointed Indian American Shonali Burke as its new Managing Director effective June 1, 2025.

Burke “brings with her an impressive track record of strategic leadership, innovative audience development and multi-faceted revenue growth within the nonprofit and regional theatre sectors,” according to the announcement.

READ: Bhavani Daryanani named Nonprofit Finance Fund CFO (March 18th, 2025) 

“Burke’s appointment comes at a significant moment for People’s Light, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary season and look ahead to future growth and innovation in our artistic and community-driven programming,” it stated.

She joins Producing Artistic Director Zak Berkman as a key and co-equal leader of the organization, working to advance People’s Light’s artistic and community-focused initiatives, while also spearheading strategic planning, financial management and operational oversight.

An early adopter of social media and data-driven storytelling, Burke’s extensive background in community-centric strategic growth, audience engagement, and data analytics serves as a springboard for her dynamic leadership that will help guide People’s Light into the future, according to the release.

“Throughout our 50 years, People’s Light has always looked boldly toward the future — one that embraces innovation, deepens relationships with diverse communities and ensures long-term sustainability,” said Berkman. “Shonali’s distinctive insight, holistic leadership, strategic acumen and passion for storytelling make her the perfect person to help guide us into our next era. I am eager to partner with Shonali as People’s Light continues to cement its position as a thriving live arts hub for generations to come.”

“People’s Light is a remarkable institution with a deep commitment to storytelling that reflects the diversity, history and humanity of our world,” said Burke. “I never could have imagined that my winding career would lead me here to Malvern, where my analyst’s mind for data and artist’s heart for storytelling come together perfectly to support this extraordinary team and organization that emanate light. I am honored to help shape what I know is an incredibly bright future for People’s Light, ensuring its continued growth and impact in an evolving arts and culture landscape.”

Burke joins People’s Light after having served as Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer/Vice President and Interim President-Designate at Washington, D.C.’s historic, Tony Award-winning regional theatre, Arena Stage, home to landmark productions such as The Great White Hope, Dear Evan Hansen and Swept Away.

There, she engineered the company’s dramatic post-pandemic earned revenue rebound to stability, stewarding multiple sold-out hits to significantly diversified audiences as she spearheaded the organization’s brand and growth strategy.

Her leadership at Arena Stage led to streamlined departmental efficiencies that improved morale and productivity while increasing revenue, and her technical expertise was instrumental in bringing the company’s tech infrastructure and cyber security up to industry standards.

Prior to her time with Arena, Burke ran a successful virtual integrated marketing consultancy dedicated to helping purpose-driven organizations scale their impact, partnering with notable clients such as Oxfam America, the United Nations Foundation and USA for UNHCR.

She has also been on the faculty of The Johns Hopkins University’s M.A. in Communication program since 2009, and originally started her theatre career in India, where she graduated from the prestigious National School of Drama.