Des Moines Performing Arts has announced Monica Holt as its new president and CEO.

Holt is a nationally recognized arts leader and former senior vice president of artistic planning at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. She will assume the role in Jan. 2026, following the retirement of Jeff Chelesvig, who concludes his 30-year tenure later this month.

Before leading the artistic division at The Kennedy Center, Holt served as director of marketing, where she built and led a dynamic team focused on brand storytelling, predictive financial modeling, and expanded audience engagement for the Center, Washington National Opera, and National Symphony Orchestra. She is an Emmy Award-winning executive producer and hosts the arts and culture industry podcast CI to Eye.

To ensure a smooth transition, Heidi Watkins, long-time vice president and chief financial officer, will serve as interim president and CEO until Holt begins her role.

“It is an honor to join Des Moines Performing Arts, an institution whose national reputation for artistic excellence is matched by its deep roots and community connections in Des Moines and throughout Iowa,” said Holt in a press release. “I’m inspired by the opportunity to build on Jeff Chelesvig’s remarkable legacy while working alongside DMPA’s passionate staff and board to ensure the arts remain central to the lives of Americans at every stage. Together, we’ll strengthen DMPA’s role as both a world-class presenter and a vital community partner.”