McLean Community Center shares new executive director’s program ambitions

Daniel Phoenix Singh has officially taken over as the new executive director of the McLean Community Center.

The MCC Governing Board appointed Singh as the center’s new executive director on April 12 and publicly announced his hiring during a meeting on April 28.

Singh replaces George Sachs, who retired from the position after 11 years of service.

“I am incredibly lucky to be inheriting this strong staff that George has so carefully cultivated,” Singh said.

Singh comes from his previous position as the division chief of tourism and cultural arts for Baltimore County. He also founded a nationally acclaimed dance company in 2003.

He has master’s degrees in business administration from Georgetown University and in fine arts from the University of Maryland.

“On behalf of the Governing Board, we are thrilled that [Singh] will be leading the MCC,” MCC Board Chair Suzanne LeMenestrel said. “His expertise in the arts, technology and recreation and his commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion will serve our community exceptionally well. We are looking forward to working with [him] as the MCC welcomes community members back to the center.”

MCC will take a step toward normalcy on Saturday (May 15) with a drive-thru version of the annual McLean Day celebration, its first major in-person event since the COVID-19 pandemic hit last year.

“MCC is uniquely positioned to address the pressing issues and ramifications of re-entry into the world after COVID-19; the racial climate and equity needs surfacing in the U.S.; or considering how we can affect change locally for global problems such as climate justice,” said Singh. “We want to be ‘The Center of It All’ for both McLean community members and the issues that are of importance to them.”

MCC plans to launch several new programs within Singh’s first 180 days, including:

  • Seniors in Action: a series of classes for senior citizens centered around their wellness and forming a community
  • A series of arts events spearheaded by Singh and Performing Arts Director Sarah Schallern Treff, such as a poetry event celebrating Asian-American Pacific Islander month, community partnerships in honor of LGBTQ Pride, and an artist-in-residence series
  • Outdoor art installations and pop-up events in McLean
  • An expansion of the center’s social media presence and the launch of a community-focused blog
  • Task forces for projects that come from the community listening sessions
  • Block parties for teens, along with in-person summer programming at The Old Firehouse

“The staff and board are incredibly talented, and the community is very passionate about the mission and have already presented wonderful ideas for us to continue George Sach’s legacy,” said Singh.

For more information on Singh and the programs at MCC, visit their website or call 703-790-0123.

Photo via McLean Community Center

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