The Arvada Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Noelle DeLage as their next President & CEO, following a national search. DeLage will assume the role July 1, 2026, transitioning from her role as Chief Communications and Philanthropy Officer of the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA). She has a passion for the arts, with a focus on organizational growth and impact. 

DeLage will step into the role at a pivotal time for the Arvada Center, the same month the organization turns 50 years old after a record-breaking 50th theatre season. A seasoned nonprofit executive with nearly a decade of C-level leadership experience, DeLage’s expertise includes fundraising, communication, and best practices to strengthen financial sustainability and broadening community engagement. At DZCA, DeLage launched a new conservation brand, led exponential growth in fundraising, and set key directions for government and SCFD relationships.

“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,” said Incoming President & CEO Noelle DeLage. “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.”

Since the beginning of her career at the Denver Art Museum, DeLage has had the privilege of serving organizations by leading mission-driven teams in wildlife conservation, higher education, and civil rights. With the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, she led the organization’s $75 million Into the Great Wild Open – ultimately raising more than $82 million. In addition, under her leadership, DZCA launched the Flock Party event, from humble beginnings in 2020, to raising $1 million in 2025.  She is most proud of connecting people to causes that they care about, while building highly effective teams that connect authentically with the community.   

“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,” said Board of Directors Chair Ken Fellman. “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 will assume the role of President & CEO starting July 1, 2026, after current President & CEO Philip C. Sneed retires on June 30.

Sneed’s career at the Arvada Center began with his first paid acting role, followed by work as a Scene Shop employee in 1983, and stints as a director in 2011 and 2012. He was hired as the Arvada Center Executive Director in 2013 when the Arvada Center was still a department of the City of Arvada. In his tenure, he led the Center through the 2015-16 transition from a city department to an independent nonprofit organization (and assumed the title of President & CEO). During the pandemic, Sneed helped to secure over $6.2 million in federal funding that helped to keep the doors open when much of the Center’s programming was put on hold. Sneed also created an organization-wide IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, access) initiative, which has become an integral part of the organization. 

DeLage’s appointment reflects the future of the Arvada Center, looking forward to the next 50 years of community, connection, and artistic excellence.