Panida executive director resigns

White makes the fourth ED to resign from the theater since 2021

By Ben Olson
Reader Staff

The Panida Board of Directors announced June 15 that Executive Director Heather White resigned from her position effective June 12. White’s departure comes after a June 4 board meeting during which she had a heated exchange with the board over concerns about electrical issues at the historic theater, which, according to White, led to two safety incidents within a month.

“The board thanks Ms. White for her service to the organization,” the board wrote in a statement dated June 12. “The Panida Theater remains open and fully operational.

“The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that it is moving forward with a leadership transition plan that reflects the Panida Theater’s commitment to stability, community engagement and the organization’s long-term mission,” the statement continued.

“The Panida Theater has been a cornerstone of the Sandpoint community for nearly 100 years and that will not change,” wrote Board Chairman Sean Behm. “Our board is focused on ensuring strong stable leadership and we have an exciting plan for the transition ahead that we look forward to sharing with the community soon.”

Meanwhile, Board Treasurer Woody Sherwood has tendered his resignation, writing in part to the board prior to the public announcement of White’s departure as executive director, “I cannot continue serving the Board and the organization in good conscience at this time. … Thank you and best wishes and regards to each of you and the organization going forward.”

When asked for comment about the repeated turnover at the Panida — noting that four directors have left the theater since 2021 — frequent Panida performer and former-Board Member Kate McAlister said she believes the main issue is that the organization’s leadership team needs to be less transactional and more relational.

“We need someone who understands community,” McAlister told the Reader. “I’ve offered free board training, it’s about a $10,000 gift, with both training and strategic planning. In my opinion, before the board hires another new ED, they need to do this strategic planning so they can see what type of individual they need for that position. Currently it needs to be half project manager and half relationship builder.”

McAlister also said there should be more vetting done for potential board members.

“There has to be criteria for board membership, not just warm bodies,” she said.

McAlister pointed to the leadership of longtime Panida Artistic Director Karen Bowers, who helmed the theater for 26 years before retiring in 2013, as an example of a good fit for the community organization — highlighting the fact that Bowers always greeted people at the door at performances, was out among the community constantly and served as a public face for the culturally significant theater.

“This is an organization that really needs to be in touch with the community,” she said.

McAlister said she plans to apply for a board position in October and bring her expertise with board management and strategic planning. 

“I would commit to be on the board at least a year to make sure those processes and procedures are in place,” she said.

Board Member and Treasurer Tari Pardini, whose understanding of the Panida’s structure, organization and history comes from many years of involvement with the theater, wrote that she believed communication was a central component for success.

“If there is not a clear path for communication between all parties, then most relationships are doomed to fail,” she wrote the Reader.

“I believe the recent hires to the top position at the Panida have not been successful for a variety of reasons,” Pardini continued. “I feel that one constant thread is that the same organizational structure used for the past 40 years is probably outdated and no longer feasible.”

Pardini said she hoped to see the board and staff move to a more collaborative, function-based model.

“I have faith that the current board will do their research well into various successful models,” she wrote. “In so doing, I’m certain they’ll find an organizational structure tailored for nonprofit arts organizations that will work better for the Panida.”

If the Panida Board successfully identifies a business model that aligns more with a theater like the Panida, Pardini wrote, “then the board will just need to find the right person who also believes in it and will work with the board, staff and community to achieve success.”

The Panida Board of Directors holds meetings every first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Little Theater (300 N. First Ave., in downtown Sandpoint). To contact the board, email [email protected].