Directors
I love the ballet! Despite (or maybe because of) my decidedly average dance ability, I have always been mesmerized by dance performances. Watching talented dancers master their art brings me joy.
We all benefit from having a professional ballet company within Sacramento. A thriving arts community is integral to Sacramento’s unique identity as a city. The ballet presents grace and athleticism in perfect rhythm. It may seem intimidating at first, but I’ve enjoyed learning more about ballet as a subscriber over the years. My goal is to introduce more people to ballet so they can fall in love with it as I have.
I’m honored to be a Sacramento Ballet Board Member to help it further its mission. I hope to see you at a performance!
Matt Donaldson, a licensed physical therapist, is an ardent supporter of the Sacramento arts scene. He joined the board in September 2017.
Ken Fry joined the Board of Directors in 2017 and currently holds the position of Endowment Committee Chair. He also contributes as a member of the Finance Committee.
Over the years, Ken has developed a profound appreciation for ballet, specifically emphasizing the preservation and celebration of our local institution. With a legacy spanning 70 years, Ken recognizes the Sacramento Ballet as an indispensable thread in the community’s fabric. The ballet not only strives to captivate a diverse audience but also undertakes crucial outreach endeavors.
Professionally, Ken founded Genesee Scientific Corporation in 1995, which emerged as a leader in the life science research supply sector. After guiding Genesee for 27 years, Ken stepped down as CEO and presently serves on Genesee’s Board of Directors while engaging in other business endeavors.
When not involved in supporting the Sacramento Ballet, Ken can be found working on his family truffle farm, practicing yoga, or beekeeping.
Jennifer Hemmer of Hemmer & Barr is a family law specialist practicing in Sacramento and surrounding counties since 2009. She and her law partner, Jill Barr, are passionate about helping people through a difficult time in their lives, dealing with divorce, custody, property division and support issues. Prior to attending law school, Jennifer had a 15-year career in sports and entertainment marketing, working for the U.S. Soccer Federation, the NBA/WNBA, and Visa.
Additionally, Jennifer has been an avid patron and supporter of the performing arts and theater in New York City, San Francisco/Berkeley, and Sacramento for over three decades. She is very excited to be involved with the Sacramento Ballet and believes that the organization has an important role to play in education and entertainment in the Sacramento region.
Jennifer has a B.A. from UC Berkeley, a Masters of International Affairs from Columbia University, and a J.D. from McGeorge School of Law. She is married to a German broadcast journalist and they have two college-aged children.
Scott Motley has an association with and a love for Sacramento Ballet that runs deep. His mother was once the President of the former Sacramento Ballet Guild, as well as a longstanding Guild volunteer. He is the brother of three sisters who all danced for Sacramento Ballet. His older sister got her start at the Crockett Dance Studio and, while dancing with Sacramento Ballet, was a contemporary of former Artistic Director Amy Seiwert. As a young lad, Scott was even a “Party Boy” for two seasons of The Nutcracker. The ballet was intertwined in the fabric of his adolescence, which started an affinity for the performing art, a love which still burns bright today.
Scott believes that the arts are vital to the culture of a community. He serves on the Board of Directors to help preserve Sacramento Ballet for generations to come.
Professionally, Scott is a financial planner and investment manager with Merrill Lynch, a Vice President and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC ©) who has been practicing his craft since 2004. He helps his clients design, implement, and monitor tailored strategies centered on the priorities of their lives. The hallmark of his philosophy is to approach his profession the way he would hope for, should his role be reversed. His clients receive the benefits of his investment discipline and in having a trusted partner for life. He frequently guides professionals, educators, retirees, and families with special needs through all aspects of their financial lives. He feels a deep sense of stewardship and a passion for delivering genuine value.
Scott earned his B.S. degree in Finance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with an emphasis in Investments and Financial Services.
Scott is a Sacramento native who now lives in Rocklin with his wife and four sons.
As so many have, Paul was introduced to Sacramento Ballet when he was taken to a Beer and Ballet
performance. From there, he became a passionate subscriber and supporter, enamored by the
beauty and athleticism of the performances.
Paul has had an expansive business career including public accounting, several entrepreneurial
ventures, and business advisory. He was a CPA with a master’s degree in taxation. He believes
his combined business background and love of dance will be useful in support of the
organization’s mission.
He and his wife enjoy swing dancing, yoga, traveling, hiking, and spending time with friends and
family, especially their four grandchildren.
Tina Marie’s love for Sacramento Ballet and the performing arts spans over 35 years, since she attended her first live performance of The Nutcracker in 1988. Two of her children, Natalie and Joseph, danced in The Nutcracker as part of the children’s cast for six years. They continue to share her passion for dance, art, and cultural events to this day.
She is a retired Police Lieutenant, who served the City of Stockton community for more than 28 years. Her visionary leadership style created a harmonious work environment through teambuilding and personal development strategies for her personnel to participate in succession planning as well as building partnerships with the community by collaboratively implementing successful community policing strategies for the best public safety practices.
Her passion to serve the community expanded to volunteering for a variety of organizations in the arts, medical, and education sectors for more than 23 years. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. She lives in Galt, California.Tina Marie’s motto mirrors that of what the art of ballet brings to life: “Always be graceful and eloquent in your pursuit of life.”