The 2022-23 season marks Rich Dee’s twelfth season with Dance St. Louis, and the sixth season as the executive leader.

On the verge of closing in 2017 due to financial struggles, and under his guidance, Dance St. Louis has achieved five straight seasons (2018 – 2022) in the “black” and remains one of only four nonprofit dance-only presenters in the United States. In addition, Mr. Dee has led Dance St. Louis through the Covid-19 pandemic overcoming significant challenges as the result of cancelled shows.

During his tenure at Dance St. Louis, Mr. Dee has raised millions in philanthropic support to present the talents of more than 4,000 artists and 300 professional dance companies from across the globe to our city. In addition, he led the efforts to secure more than $1 million to commission 25 world premieres exclusively for St. Louis-based dance companies in partnership with world-renowned choreographers, to grow artistically, increase exposure for their company, and elevate our city’s dance landscape.

He is credited with the creation of An Evening of Ballet Stars showcasing principal dancers from some of America’s most iconic and prestigious ballet companies; he reimaged the SPRING TO DANCE® Festival under The Big Top circus tent at a time when indoor theaters were shuttered due to the pandemic; and through his leadership, St. Louis remains home to one of the most celebrated dance festivals in the Midwest region, SPRING TO DANCE.

Mr. Dee’s nonprofit experience spans 27 years with missions focused on the arts, animal welfare, humanitarian efforts and healthcare. He has raised more than $100 million in his career and has held executive positions with major non-profits that include the Humane Society of Missouri, one of the largest and oldest animal welfare organizations in the country, during a successful $11 million capital campaign; the American Red Cross, most notably during 9/11; and Cancer Support Community/Gilda’s Club, the largest professionally led non-profit network of cancer support worldwide.

He currently serves as special advisor to Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater in Chicago, previously serving as Vice Chair of the Board and Executive Board Member for five seasons. Mr. Dee also serves as Board Vice President of the Dielmann-Kaiser House Foundation in St. Louis, focused on preserving the historic collection of furniture, fixtures and objects as well as original artwork by artist, sculptor, and master gardener Robert Dielmann. The Dielmann-Kaiser House is a historic 1883 three-story Victorian-style home located in the Dutchtown neighborhood of south St. Louis city.

Since 1995, Mr. Dee has been an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), serving as an Executive Board Member for nearly ten years. In 2000, Mr. Dee was one of only eight nonprofit leaders to serve on the Executive Host Committee for AFP International Conference on Fundraising held in St. Louis, the largest conference on fundraising in the world, setting a record that year with over 4,000 attendees. He has had the honor to work with Bob Costas, the late Beverly Sills, and other prominent figures in sports, media, and the arts and entertainment industry.

Prior to his nonprofit career, he was with FleishmanHillard, and mentored by civic icons Ruth K. Jacobson and Al Kerth. While at FleishmanHillard, he worked with clients such as Anheuer-Busch, AT&T, Hyatt, McDonalds, St. Louis Rams, St. Louis Science Center, and Walmart.

Mr. Dee is a graduate of Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in electronic media and journalism. He was raised in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood and graduated from St. Gabriel the Archangel and St. Mary’s High School.


PHOTO CREDIT
Ailey II in Alvin Ailey's Revelations. Photo by Nir Arieli.