Serendipity is a good way to describe how Suzu Henderson ended up as the new director of development at Fountain Hills Theater.

Henderson, a native of Montreal, Canada, started her new position Tuesday, May 17. The position was created to compliment the role of executive director. Val Stasik, who had announced her plans to retire in June, decided recently that the time was not right to make that transition. After deliberating with the board, it was decided Stasik’s role could be changed somewhat, and the position of director of development was created.

“This was a compromise situation,” Henderson said. “After much consideration, it was decided that what had been built over these past 30 years with Val at the helm, it was necessary to keep her in the position.”

Stasik will stay in her role, and Henderson will get out into the community more to continue building the relationships Stasik has made through the years.

“The timing is perfect,” Henderson said. “This is a milestone year for the theater. We are celebrating what we have been doing for the past 30 years, and looking toward what we can do for the next 30.”

Henderson was a natural fit for the position. She had a career in musical theater, studying at the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. After completing her education there, she performed in multiple productions, most notably as assistant director for the off-Broadway production of Angry Housewives at the Minetta Lane Theatre.

After leaving New York, Henderson earned her master’s degree in social work. She worked with children and families, then founded LMT Safety Town, a non-profit safety prevention and education program for preschool children. As president and CEO of the organization, she spearheaded grassroots efforts involving community collaboration, funding acquisition and public awareness.

After moving to Arizona, she served as business development manager for Li9 Technology Solutions, in Phoenix.

She has been a volunteer at Fountain Hills Theater for about three years. She lives in Scottsdale with her husband and five children, many of whom have participated in the local theater’s various performance and education offerings over the past several years.

“I am not sure my background could not be more perfect for this position,” she said. “I am so grateful for the opportunity, and I look forward to becoming even more involved in the theater and in the community.”

She described the opportunity as a time for her to take her working knowledge deeper and use that knowledge to develop new relationships and programs for the theater.

“I am really excited to get out and introduce the theater to new people and give thanks and respect to those who have been supporters over the years,” she said.