Shonali Burke

Formerly a working actress/director, Shonali Burke cannot be more delighted to join the Arena Stage family as its chief marketing officer. A digital marketing pioneer, Shonali has a unique ability to ethically and powerfully tell data-driven stories for social impact and equity. Over the years, her creative strategies have resulted in packed houses for Cirque du Soleil’s Varekai, Singalong Sound of Music, and the world premiere of Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam. Her expertise in building communities of influence to amplify brand storytelling has benefited, among others, Oxfam America, the United Nations Foundation, and USA for UNHCR, for whom she designed its now-textbook digital “Blue Key” campaign. Shonali also led media and communications for the ASPCA at an extraordinary time in animal welfare: during the 2007 pet food recall and Michael Vick case. Her efforts, which included launching its pet insurance product and ASPCA Mission: Orange™, a series of local-national coalitions aimed at creating a country of humane communities, one community at a time, were key to growing the ASPCA’s visibility, trust, and revenue. An early adopter of social media, Shonali’s numerous awards and accolades include being the first Indian American woman to be named to PRWeek’s “Top 40 Under 40.” She teaches multiple courses for The Johns Hopkins University’s M.A. in Communication and is a 2021 graduate of the Harvard Business Analytics Program.