Kendra Ekelund
Managing Director
A practical, people-first executive, Kendra is committed to environmental, human, and financial sustainability and to using the arts to foster inclusive, creative communities. In her tenure, HVS has evolved from a celebrated seasonal festival into a regional cultural anchor with an expanded campus and business portfolio. Since joining HVS in 2022, Kendra has led the organization in settling into its first-ever permanent home in Garrison, including the integration of The Garrison, Folio restaurant, and the Inn into HVS’s operating structure. She is deeply proud and grateful to have worked alongside the extraordinary staff, crew, and company who brought HVS’s final seasons in the iconic blue tent to life, and further, the exemplary company, staff, and crew who have joined this year to open HVS’ first-ever permanent performance venue: The Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center. (Hey, team: We did it!)
In close partnership with Artistic Director Davis McCallum, Kendra helped translate a once-in-a-generation opportunity into a tangible, buildable plan and drove the momentum to realize it. Together, they have shepherded the ROOTED Campaign, advancing the development of HVS’s campus, and bringing the Scripps Theater Center from approvals and fundraising into active construction. This progress positions the company to open its inaugural season in 2026 in a Studio Gang–designed open-air theater with the Hudson River as a dramatic backdrop. In parallel, Kendra has advanced the construction of on-site Artist Lodging and ongoing fundraising for lodging and institutional reserves that will sustain mission-forward growth over time.
Prior to joining HVS, Kendra served as the General Manager of the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, NY, and previously worked in casting and talent management for New York theater, film, and television. She holds a BFA in Drama from Syracuse University and a certificate in Arts Management from SUNY Purchase. A Lower Hudson Valley native hailing from Ossining, Kendra lives in Cold Spring with her family.