Outgoing Ballet Memphis CEO leaves behind tenure full of ‘on ramps’
Gretchen Wollert McLennon, who became Ballet Memphis’ president and CEO in 2020, will remain the nonprofit’s leader until the end of June. (Ziggy Mack/Courtesy Ballet Memphis)
At age 11, Gretchen Wollert McLennon became a student in Ballet Memphis’ junior company, then called Memphis Youth Concert Ballet.
After serving on Ballet Memphis’ board, chairing the board, and serving as chair of Ballet Memphis’ strategic plan, McLennon became president and CEO of Ballet Memphis in mid-2020.
She said it wasn’t lost on her that “Little Gretchen” had gone from dancing in the studio to leading the organization about 30 years later.
“I had to really kind of reflect on, ‘Wow, this is really a privilege and opportunity that that organization (from) 30 years ago is still standing,” she said. “Is still important. Is still vital in this community, and now I get to be only the second leader in its history, to continue building on the great legacy we have.”
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Elle Perry
A native Memphian, Elle Perry has earned graduate degrees from the University of Memphis and Maryland Institute College of Art. She’s written for publications including the Memphis Business Journal, Memphis Flyer and High Ground News, and previously served as coordinator of The Teen Appeal.
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