Stephanie M. Matthews is the Executive Director of A Tribe for Jazz, a Global leader in preserving the legacy and advancing the future of Jazz through visual storytelling, live and virtual performances, education, and community engagement.

Stephanie brings her talent and extensive expertise as an award-winning photographer, creative director, and producer to the role by developing programming and visual content that transforms, educates, and leads to purposeful actions and impactful conversations surrounding the preservation of the genre.

Her leadership style empowers others through empathy, active listening, trust-building, inclusion, and cross-functional collaboration. She believes personal growth and organizational success are linked and require uplifting others to reach their full potential and creating the space in which to thrive.

Stephanie is deeply passionate about youth and education. This passion is the inspiration behind the organization’s innovative arts-based, social-emotional learning program, "An Exploration of Emotions and Color through Jazz Music." The program fosters greater emotional well-being, self-expression, and confidence in children grades 3-8 and was named a 2022 GCAC Art Makes Excellence Award finalist.

She is also interested in the intersection between improvisational jazz music and sectors such as STEAM education, DEI&A, Design, and Innovation. She proudly serves on the advisory board for Denison Edge.

Stephanie holds a Bachelor's in Communications from The University of Toledo.

Contact: SMatthews@atribeforjazz.org