Gisella Rivas-Diaz is an arts administrator with fifteen years of experience in arts marketing, communications, and nonprofit management. Currently she serves as a Cultural Programs Manager for the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs. 

Gisella joined the Department in 2012. She began her tenure as the Theater Marketing and Communications Coordinator for the Moss Center (formerly the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center). As a long-time resident of the South Miami-Dade Community, Gisella took pride in showcasing top-quality programming to its constituents. 

Through her role at the Moss Center, Gisella was largely responsible for digital marketing and strategy for the Center’s artistic programming. Her day to day dealt with social media management, digital signage, artist management and overseeing the execution of ad media placement and branding.  

In 2022, she transitioned into the Department’s Office of the Director to her present role as Cultural Programs Manager. Under the umbrella of this role, Gisella forms part of the team that coordinates the Department’s research work on studies, such as the recent Arts & Economic Prosperity study, an economic impact study, in partnership with Americans for the Arts, which measures the impact of spending by nonprofit cultural organizations and their audiences in Miami-Dade County. 

Additionally, she manages the Department’s local arts agency grants with the Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts. Gisella also manages the Miami Emerging Arts Leaders, a leadership development program of the Department of Cultural Affairs. 

Previous to her time with the Department, Gisella was part of the communications team at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. Her time at the Chamber launched her career in nonprofit management and community and government relations.  

Gisella Rivas-Diaz holds a B.A. in Public Relations from Florida International University and a Masters degree from the University of Miami in Live Entertainment and Venue Management as part of the Arts Presenting Program at the UM Frost School of Music.