The American Ballet Theatre revealed Janet Rollé as its new CEO and Executive Director, taking office on Jan. 3, 2022.
Rollé’s appointment marked a historic moment as she became the first Black individual to hold this esteemed position in the organization’s history.
Rollé has a wealth of experience, having served as the general manager at Parkwood Entertainment, the media, and management company founded by the iconic entertainer and entrepreneur Beyoncé.
In her role at Parkwood, Rollé led all business operations, overseeing diverse departments encompassing music, film, live performances, artist management, business development, and more.
Notably, she played a pivotal role as associate producer in Beyoncé’s groundbreaking performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, immortalized in the Emmy Award®-nominated film “Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé” (2019) and the OTR II Tour.
Additionally, Rollé served as an executive producer of the Emmy®-winning film “Black Is King.”
Before her tenure at Parkwood Entertainment, Rollé held esteemed positions, including executive vice president and chief marketing officer at CNN Worldwide and the first executive vice president and chief marketing officer of BET Networks.
Her illustrious career includes senior roles at AOL, MTV Networks, and HBO.
Reflecting on her journey, Rollé expressed gratitude for her upbringing and the foundational lessons instilled by her mother, an immigrant from Jamaica, who introduced her to dance at a young age.
With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance and an MBA from Columbia University Graduate School of Business, Rollé has been recognized as a trailblazer in her field, earning accolades such as the Institute for Caribbean Studies Trailblazer Award and the Pat Tobin Media Professional Award from the National Association of Black Journalists.
Rollé remains determined to preserve and extend the organization’s legacy while ensuring its future prosperity, cultural impact, and relevance in her new role at the American Ballet Theatre.
Her appointment represents a significant milestone in the world of ballet and underscores the importance of diversity and inclusion in leadership positions within the arts and entertainment industry.
