Sarah Ventre will serve as Interim Director of Operations through RNA's 75th Anniversary Conference in Pittsburgh, PA (April 18-20, 2024). 

Ventre is a Peabody-nominated audio journalist who has reported on New Religious Movements in the American West (including the FLDS and Branch Davidians), as well as on religion and conflict from the Middle East, including in Syria and Iraq. She has produced for NPR, PBS, Vox, The Moth, and others, and was a fellow in the Recovering Truth project from the Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict at Arizona State University, as well as the Religion and Environment Story Project at Boston University. Sarah is one of the founders of Girls Rock! Phoenix, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering girls, trans, and gender nonconforming youth through music. She was once told by an artist with synesthesia that her voice is mauve.

"Bringing experience as an audio journalist, co-founder of a nonprofit, and former RNA Conference Committee member, Sarah was a clear choice to help lead RNA through our 75th Anniversary celebrations," said Ken Chitwood, RNA President. 

Ventre said, "One of the things I love the most about RNA is its sense of camaraderie. Since I joined in 2018, I've been fortunate to make new colleagues, collaborators, and friends.

"It's an honor and a pleasure to be able to step into this role as we gear up for our 75th anniversary conference and celebration, and I'm really looking forward to working with many of you to create something wonderful. Can't wait to see you in Iron City!"

As Ventre serves in the interim, the RNA Board is using this time to search for a permanent Director beyond the 2024 conference. The Board looks forward to sharing more about the Director's position in the coming weeks. 

Please contact religionnewsassociation2016@gmail.com with any questions or comments you may have.