Ali Lightfoot began her arts education with theater and film studies in New York City, which led to performances in Off Broadway productions and a Sundance award-winning independent film.

She went on to work in television production where she hired cast and crew, managed budgets and assisted in all aspects of production and post-production on a wide variety of projects. In 2008, Ali became the Program Director at KVNF. There she collaborated with hundreds of North Fork community members to create content and as a journalist, she researched and interviewed community leaders, authors, artists and musicians. She brought the next generation of young people into our newsroom by developing several youth journalism and storytelling programs.

She continued to work in video production with a series called “The KVNF Field Sessions.” The videos feature top notch visiting and local musicians performing a live set in a unique North Fork location. She co-founded the Paonia Film Festival and the Delta County Film Collective, bringing local filmmakers together to create short films and promotional content for area non- profits.

In 2019, Ali moved to Nevada City, CA where she was the General Manager at KVMR community radio. In her 5 years at this station, she initiated successful online giving and marketing strategies, a website redesign, formed a news department, restructured volunteer training programs, and created a social media manager position.

One of her proudest accomplishments is the work she has done to bring in the next generation of broadcasters, journalists, filmmakers, storytellers and leaders. Her work has always involved bringing in teams of young people working on creative projects, hosting events and radio shows, creating their own social media campaigns and engaging their community and volunteers with new music, short films, art and new perspectives.

Ali believes the Blue Sage is at the center of the North Fork’s vibrant local arts scene. As its leader, she hopes to facilitate creative collaborations, develop our partnerships, carry on our traditions, and help the organization transition into new media platforms to tell our story, fundraise and engage new and longtime audiences.

Working to open doors for creative expression in all its forms, in her beloved North Fork community, is incredibly meaningful work.

In 2016, she completed the Columbia Publishing Course, an intensive on all aspects of book, magazine, and digital publishing. She has been a freelance designer and artist since then, working on diverse projects including book covers, album covers, branding for businesses, web design and eCommerce, book layout, and music marketing. She currently serves on the board of Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, a non-profit organization providing week-long music intensives as well as other arts events and retreats throughout the year. As a local musician and visual artist, she is excited to be supporting the North Fork Valley Arts scene in her role as Marketing Manager at the Blue Sage!