The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) has officially named Lisa Schroeder as the organization’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer. This newly created dual role marks a significant step in NJPAC’s executive strategy as the Arts Center enters a phase of unprecedented physical and programmatic growth.
Schroeder joins the Newark-based institution following a distinguished tenure at Film at Lincoln Center, where she served as Chief Administrative Officer. Her background includes navigating complex financial landscapes, most notably leading the COVID-19 reopening committee and overseeing all budgeting and financial reporting at Lincoln Center since 2014.
A Mission of Urban Transformation
For Schroeder, the move to Newark is driven by NJPAC’s unique role in community development.
“What NJPAC is doing in Newark—through leading-edge work in arts education, arts in healthcare, and real estate redevelopment—is not just supporting the arts, it’s harnessing the arts to have a transformative impact on a community,” said Schroeder.
Managing a $75M Budget and Future Expansions
Schroeder’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment. Over the last 15 years, NJPAC’s budget has tripled from $25 million to $75 million, with nearly $8 million dedicated specifically to social impact programs each season.
Schroeder will oversee several high-profile projects set for 2027, including:
• Cooperman Family Arts Education and Community Center: A new home for NJPAC’s education and well-being initiatives.
• ArtSide: A major residential real estate development on the NJPAC campus.
• Lionsgate Newark: The state’s first purpose-built film and television production studio.
John Schreiber, President and CEO of NJPAC, noted that Schroeder’s “unique skill set” will be vital in ensuring that NJPAC’s high volume of free and low-cost community programming remains financially sustainable while amplifying its impact.
Background and Expertise
A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Schroeder began her career in corporate finance before transitioning to the non-profit sector. Her journey took her from financial consulting in Telluride, Colorado, to the heart of New York City’s arts scene, where she specialized in non-profit management and arts finance.
