Anita Thomas has served as the Executive Director of Carolyn Dorfman Dance since 2009, making her one of the few People of Color leading a majority-arts organization in New Jersey. Under her leadership, the company has strengthened its fundraising base, expanded touring and residency programs, maintained diversity across dancers, staff, and board members, and deepened community engagement locally, nationally, and internationally. Since 2016, the New Jersey State Arts Council has consistently recognized the company for excellence in artistic quality, programming, and public service.
With a dynamic career spanning telecommunications, healthcare, and the arts, Anita has combined her expertise in marketing, fundraising, and organizational development to support both nonprofit and small business growth. She previously served as Executive Director of Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn and was the founding Executive Director of Youth Entertainment Studios (YES), Inc., a national media arts organization for at-risk youth.
A Pennsylvania State University graduate with a B.S. in Community Development and an M.A. in Media Studies from The New School for Social Research, Anita spent the first half of her career in the AT&T family of companies, ultimately serving as District Manager, Global Marketing Events at Lucent Technologies. She later coordinated medical education and communications events sponsored by institutions such as Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Nursing while consulting with arts and social service organizations in organizational strategy, marketing, and arts administration.
Anita is a dedicated advocate for the arts and small businesses, serving on numerous boards and committees. She is a founding Steering Committee member of the NJ Main Street Alliance, a board member of NJ Citizen Action, and has been an active member in DanceNJ, Women of Color in the Arts (WOCA), DanceUSA, and the Union and Greater Elizabeth Chambers of Commerce. In 2020, she received the Community Service Award from NJ Citizen Action for her advocacy on behalf of small businesses and the arts. More recently, Artpride honored her in 2024 for distinguished service to New Jersey’s arts and cultural community.
She continues to shape the sector through her involvement with ArtPride NJ, where she serves on the Board of Directors and co-chairs the Membership Committee, and as an ambassador for the Nonprofit Professionals of Color Collective. Passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts, Anita has been instrumental in creating opportunities for underrepresented voices in funding and leadership spaces.