Rachel Shane, Ph.D. – Chief, MasterMinds
Official Biography

Rachel Shane, MasterMinds Agency’s Chief, has spent the last decade leading a range of nonprofit organizations in developing impact, potential, strategy and identity. In addition to her work as co-founder of MasterMinds Agency, Rachel serves as Professor of Arts Administration at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) where she has been contributing to the design and implementation of a Master of Art degree program in Arts Administration both on-campus/classroom-based and on-line.
 
Prior to her appointment at SCAD, Rachel served in a variety of capacities as an arts administrator in the field.  Notably, she was the Managing Director of the Elm Shakespeare Company in New Haven, Connecticut.  As Managing Director, Rachel increased the Company's organizational capacity by 24 percent through an expansion in programming and an increase in contributed income. She designed the organization's first marketing plan, website, and promotional materials. Additionally, she worked to create and launch a college internship program and educational touring component.   

As the Associate Director of Education at the Delaware Theatre Company, Rachel designed and implemented sales strategies; fundraised; directed and produced the annual Delaware Young Playwrights Festival; planned an annual educator conference; and served as a primary instructor for educational programs.
 
Rachel earned a Ph.D. in Cultural Policy and Arts Administration through The Ohio State University.   Her dissertation, Negotiating the Creative Sector: Understanding the Role and Impact of an Artistic Union in an Industry, examined Actors' Equity Association and the historical and contemporary structure of the theatrical industry.   She also earned a Master of Science in Arts Administration from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Science in Theatre from Northern Arizona.