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For Immediate Release

Ballet Edmonton Appoints new Chief Executive Officer

Edmonton, 18 August 2025: The Ballet Edmonton Board of Directors today announced that after an open and competitive process, they have selected Les Sereda as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

“We are truly delighted that Les Sereda will bring his arts leadership to Ballet Edmonton at this pivotal point in the company’s history,” said Board Chair Trudy Callaghan. “Les shares the board’s mindset that our resident, contemporary ballet company is a key contributor to building a vibrant city. Along with the bold talent of Artistic Director Kirsten Wicklund, Ballet Edmonton is poised for its next phase of growth as an innovative voice in Canadian dance.”

Les Sereda is an accomplished producer and arts leader with over twenty years of experience in media production and the performing arts. Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions across dance, film, and live performance, consistently delivering ambitious projects through strategic vision and strong organizational management. During his time with the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers, Les led the development of innovative new productions and successfully directed a sixteen-city U.S. tour in partnership with the National Ballet of Ukraine. He has also owned and managed production companies for over two decades, producing documentaries, 3D films, national advertising campaigns, and significant cultural initiatives in Canada and internationally. “I’m thrilled to join Ballet Edmonton at such an exciting time in the company’s evolution. This organization has a remarkable legacy and incredible potential, and I look forward to working with the talented team to build on that foundation,” Les said.

Ballet Edmonton is a contemporary ballet ensemble under the leadership of choreographer and Artistic Director Kirsten Wicklund. Ballet Edmonton’s vision is driven by a passion and curiosity to explore new ideas. We offer audiences, both at home and across Canada, original, inspired contemporary dance that reflects our Artistic Director’s adventurous curatorial vision. Our repertoire is by nationally and internationally recognized and emerging choreographers with distinctive voices. We provide professional arts employment to an ensemble of dancers, technicians and arts professionals to support the creation of new work to present to the community.