Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation Names Laura Ansel Director of Communications
Sarasota, Florida – March 21, 2025 – The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation is pleased to announce that Laura Ansel, APR, CPRC, has been named Director of Communications. In this role, Ansel will lead all messaging, public relations, and communications efforts supporting a new world-class performing arts center, a public-private partnership with the City of Sarasota. At this pivotal time, she will play an essential role in engaging civic leaders, arts enthusiasts, families, and business leaders to share the vision of this transformative project that will shape Sarasota’s cultural future.
“We are thrilled to welcome Laura to our team,” said Tania Castroverde Moskalenko, CEO of the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation. “Her expertise will be invaluable in sharing our mission, strengthening our connection with the community, and ensuring Sarasota is a place for extraordinary cultural experiences.”
Ansel brings more than 20 years of experience in public relations and marketing. Prior to joining the foundation, she served as the Marketing and Engagement Manager for the City of North Port, where she successfully led citywide communications initiatives and developed innovative public relations campaigns and events.
Throughout her career, Ansel has assumed leadership roles in both the public and private sectors, including positions in corporate marketing, nonprofit development, and higher education. She holds an Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) and is a Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC). In addition to her work for North Port, Ansel currently serves as the president-elect for the Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association. A champion of storytelling and community impact, she has received statewide recognition and industry awards for excellence in multiple categories, from digital strategy and marketing to crisis response.
“I’m honored to join the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation and am inspired by their passion and vision,” said Ansel. “The arts have a profound ability to connect people and enrich lives. I look forward to working with the foundation team, partners, and the community to continue their excellent work and help expand it, benefiting everyone who lives and works along Florida’s cultural coast.”
About The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation
The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation’s mission is to create and sustain a vibrant performing arts center, advance education, and enrich communities by inspiring minds through the power of the arts. The Foundation has partnered with the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall since 1987 to support arts education throughout our region, serving more than 35,000 students and their families annually with enriching arts-based education opportunities and professional development for more than 400 teachers across five counties.
The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation is leading the vision to build a new Sarasota Performing Arts Center as a public-private partnership with the city and in collaboration with the Bay Park Conservancy and Van Wezel Hall. For more information about the Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation, please visit: PerformingArtsFoundation.org.