By Reader Staff
The Festival at Sandpoint recently announced Caroline Hawkins would serve as the nonprofit arts organization’s new director of Community and Strategy, which was created in February to partially replace the executive director position.
Festival leaders said at the time that the director of Community and Strategy was intended to shift toward “a shared director-level leadership model,” working with the board chair, leadership team and staff to advance long-term strategic priorities, support board governance and serve as a public representative for the arts organization.
The job includes “high-level oversight of organizational strategy, community and partner engagement, fundraising alignment, marketing, brand leadership and public communications,” FAS stated.
Hawkins was selected after a monthslong search, but she is no stranger to the Festival.
“From attending performances as a kid, to working behind the scenes and building my career in the events industry, the Festival has been part of my journey for many years,” stated Hawkins. “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to return and give back to a place that has given me so much.”
Hawkins began her career as a seasonal intern at the Festival in 2015, serving in a variety of roles until 2022. She then moved to Boise, where she oversaw marketing for ExtraMile Arena and Albertsons Stadium.
“Coming back to the Festival truly feels like coming home. I was born and raised in this community,” stated Hawkins. “Both the Festival and the people of Sandpoint have played a significant role in shaping who I am.”
In her new role, she will spearhead community outreach efforts, working directly with the Festival’s leadership team, board of directors, staff and volunteers. She will take on a portion of the leadership responsibilities held by former-Festival Executive Director Ali Baranski, who stepped down in late 2025.
“The Festival has built a strong foundation for the future, and I look forward to strengthening community connections, building meaningful partnerships and ensuring it continues to reflect the spirit of the community that has supported it for generations,” Hawkins stated. “Most of all, I’m excited to listen, learn and work alongside our community as we write the next chapter together.”
Learn more about the Festival at festivalatsandpoint.com.
