Denver-based Swallow Hill Music announced today that Jessy Clark will serve as Chief Executive Officer. As CEO, Clark will lead the nearly 45-year-old cultural icon into an era of growth outlined in the recently unveiled strategic plan. With a deep commitment to the organization’s cultural legacy, Clark is poised to ensure its continued impact in Denver’s cultural landscape.
As an SCFD Tier II nonprofit organization, Swallow Hill is a nationally-revered hub for concerts, classes, and community. It is a recipient of both the Mayor’s and the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, an inductee of the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, and a recipient of Folk Alliance International’s Business Lifetime Achievement awards.
Clark steps into the CEO role after serving as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer, beginning July 2017, where she was responsible for strategic vision, capital project operations, and the oversight of several departments including finance, human resources, marketing, programs, and customer experience. Clark led tracking of goal achievement tied directly to the nonprofit’s strategic plan, including identification of opportunities for efficiencies and process improvement.
She has managed key organizational relationships with Denver Botanic Gardens and Four Mile Historic Park, in addition to several community foundations. Clark also served as the Co-Chair of the Collaborative of the SCFD for three years, until August of 2023.
“Jessy’s professional experience has been instrumental in guiding Swallow Hill through COVID-19 and we look forward to her leadership as we move Swallow Hill forward. Our organization is primed for significant growth and we’re excited to have her at the helm,” board chair Walt DeHaven said.
Prior to joining Swallow Hill, Clark served as Senior Vice President of Operations at the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, Colorado, and was responsible for strategic vision and oversight of nine departments. Here, she was part of the team that led the organization through accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), resulting in first-time AZA accreditation in Butterfly Pavilion history.
Clark is a graduate of Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation’s Leadership Denver, Class of 2020.
As a participant of 50 for Colorado, she received certification from the Leeds School of Business at University of Colorado, Boulder in November 2011.
Clark attended Regis University, graduating with a Masters of Nonprofit Management in December 2008 and earned a B.S. Environmental Science and Biology from Central Michigan University, December 1998.
