Debbie Chinn

Debbie is a seasoned C-suite executive, consultant, and arts leader with over 30 years of experience transforming institutions representing theatre, classical music, contemporary opera, dance, and festivals—driving strategic growth, financial sustainability, and artistic excellence. As a CEO and Managing Director, she has led a range of distinguished organizations, including TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, Opera Parallèle, Carmel Bach Festival, Baltimore Center Stage, California Shakespeare Theater, and Anna Deavere Smith’s Pipeline Girls Project. She has served on numerous arts and education boards, where she advises on governance best practices, diversity and equity initiatives, and long-term strategic planning. Debbie is also a published author. Her first book, Dancing in Their Light: A Daughter’s Unfinished Memoir (2022), is being adapted into a film series that explores themes of heritage, identity, and resilience. In addition, she is developing a series of art books that champion immigrant storytelling and cross-cultural arts initiatives, including Year of the Dragon: A Colorable Graphic Memoir (2024) and Polynesian Nights (publishing date: 2026).