Dance Arts Academy Foundation

MANAGEMENT

CEO/Executive Director

Sakina Ibrahim

CEO/Executive Director Experience

Sakina Ibrahim is an award-winning nonprofit executive, arts administrator, educator, producer, and cultural storyteller with more than 15 years of experience leading transformative arts education and community engagement initiatives. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from the University of California, Irvine, where her research focused on civic engagement, youth leadership, and the role of dance in community transformation. She is also a Medici Fellow, recognized for innovative leadership and social impact through the arts. As Founder and Executive Director of Dance Arts Academy Foundation, Sakina has built strategic partnerships with school districts, municipalities, corporations, and nonprofit organizations to expand equitable access to arts education, wellness, leadership development, and cultural programming for underserved communities. Under her leadership, the organization has served thousands of youth and families while developing sustainable partnerships that strengthen communities throughout Southern California. In addition to leading DAAF, Sakina has played a pivotal role in arts education throughout the region. During her tenure at Orange County Educational Arts Academy, she led the development and expansion of the school's performing arts programs, creating high-quality artistic experiences that elevated student achievement, strengthened community engagement, attracted new families, and helped position the school as one of Orange County's premier arts-integrated educational institutions. Sakina began her professional career as Program Coordinator for Grammy Award-winning artist Jill Scott, where she gained experience in arts management, production, and community engagement. She has taught and mentored students and emerging artists throughout Southern California as faculty at Saddleback College, a guest lecturer at the University of California, Irvine, and an instructor at California State University, Fullerton and California State University, Long Beach. Her leadership has been recognized nationally and locally through numerous honors, including a Webby Award, NAACP Image Award nomination, Tribeca Festival Official Selection, OCCMA Award for Arts Advocacy, and recognition as an Impact Giving Partner. She has successfully collaborated with corporations, foundations, educational institutions, and civic leaders to design innovative programs that use the arts as a catalyst for education, wellness, workforce development, and community transformation. Sakina believes the arts are not simply extracurricular they are essential infrastructure for building healthier communities, cultivating future leaders, preserving culture, and creating opportunities for every young person to thrive.

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