Alumni Board Aims to Help Student Ballet Put Its Best Foot Forward

Princeton University Ballet is forming a graduate and alumni advisory board, dubbed PUBoard, in what the group says is a first-of-its kind for student-run, student-led dance groups at Princeton. According to Gisele Sonnier ’27, the president of PUB, the goals of the board are to connect alumni and undergraduates, fundraise to provide additional opportunities, and build a network of alumni within the performing arts.  

The idea was first brought up at Reunions 2025 and officially launched this spring with seven alumni leaders and an additional 17 members, who work in a variety of career fields. Details are still being worked out, but Sonnier said the board hopes to offer mentorship and networking opportunities, both on and off campus, in addition to career and professional advising. “Since the board is so new, these initiatives are still in the development phase and will ideally be enacted in the coming years,” said Sonnier. 

Angie Sheehan ’22, a former artistic director of PUB who currently works in development at Boston Ballet, and Paige Sherman ’25, a former PUB president who is working in biotechnology research, have been named PUBoard chairs. According to Sonnier, the board “directly reflects a broader shift towards deeper alumni involvement in student-led arts organizations.”