FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2023
Contact: info@thepeacestudio.org
Mariano Avila Named Executive Director of Programming in The Peace Studio’s New Co-leadership Model
(March 2, 2023 – New York, New York) – The Peace Studio (TPS), a national nonprofit developing artists and journalists seeking to foster a culture of peace in the United States, has transitioned to a co-leadership model and named Mariano Avila Executive Director of Programming. Avila has been serving on The Peace Studio’s Board of Directors since 2021, and is thrilled to be stepping into this new role.
Avila is an award-winning journalist who has reported for NPR/PBS stations as well as major papers across the country–most recently as producer at Milwaukee PBS. He has organized for international human rights efforts, and holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Warren Wilson.
“What a thrill to support journalists and artists fostering peace. TPS is the convergence of all of my career paths. Now, I have the opportunity to do all this under one umbrella,” says Avila.
The move to a co-leadership model comes from a desire to expand The Peace Studio’s programming to better serve journalists. Thomas West, formerly sole-Executive Director and now Executive Director of Advancement, has been building toward co-leading with someone whose experience allows TPS to better serve journalists.
“Having a journalist in leadership allows us to better honor the legacy of Images and Voices of Hope, a non-profit integral to our DNA. I’m excited to reach this milestone, hire Mariano as a co-leader, and scale The Peace Studio to serve more storytellers,” says West.
About The Peace Studio
Established in January 2020, by Dr. Maya Soetoro, a peace scholar and author, Judy Rodgers, a consultant and meditator, and Todd Shuster and Jennifer Gates of Aevitas Creative Management, The Peace Studio develops artists and journalists who seek to inspire hope and catalyze transformative change in local communities across the U.S. Since its founding, the organization has invested in over 300 artists and journalists, distributing strengths-based stories on media platforms like NowThisNews and PBS.
Learn more at www.thepeacestudio.org. Follow The Peace Studio on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.