FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rebekah Diaz and Carlton Ford Named New Owners of Management Consultants for the Arts
Founders of Diaz Inclusion Consulting assume ownership, expanding executive search, governance, and leadership development under MCA’s 42-year legacy.
January 14, 2026 — Management Consultants for the Arts (MCA), the nation’s leading executive search and consulting firm dedicated to arts and culture organizations, today announced that Rebekah Diaz and Carlton Ford, founders of Diaz Inclusion Consulting, have assumed ownership of the firm, marking a new chapter in MCA’s more than 40-year history.
MCA will continue to operate under its established name and mission, expanding its capacity to support arts and culture organizations through executive search, organizational development, and leadership strategy. Diaz Inclusion Consulting’s work, frameworks, and approach are now fully integrated into MCA’s expanded platform, strengthening the firm’s capacity to support leadership, governance, and organizational development across the arts and culture field.
Under Diaz and Ford’s ownership, MCA will continue to offer a fully integrated platform including:
Executive Search & Transition Support: Candidate development, committee guidance, succession planning, interim leadership
Organizational Development: Change management, audience development, community engagement, organizational planning, culture surveying
Leadership Development: Executive coaching, board training, candidate readiness, nonprofit literacy, and board preparedness
Founded in 1983, MCA has long been recognized for its rigor, discretion, and deep understanding of the arts ecosystem. Diaz and Ford bring a combined background in executive search, governance, leadership development, and organizational strategy, building on a four-year period of close collaboration with MCA across searches, consultant training, and long-range planning engagements.
Under outgoing President David Mallette, MCA became known for its disciplined approach to executive search and trusted partnerships across the field. Mallette will assume the title of President Emeritus.
“This decision was made thoughtfully and with confidence,” said Mallette. “Rebekah and Carlton understand both the technical rigor and the human dimensions of leadership. They have been trusted collaborators for years. Passing the baton to them ensures that MCA’s values endure and that its impact on the field continues to grow.”
“This transition reflects continuity, not disruption,” said Rebekah Diaz, Managing Partner & President. “MCA’s long-standing values of integrity, insight, and care continue to guide us, even as we expand how we serve a field that is asking for new approaches to leadership, governance, and organizational practice.”
“Arts organizations today are navigating increasing complexity,” said Carlton Ford, Managing Partner & CEO. “Our goal as owners is to steward MCA’s legacy while strengthening how we help institutions align leadership, strategy, and community impact over time.”
Jonathan West will continue to lead MCA’s Executive Search practice as Managing Director.
All MCA engagements will continue to be guided by the firm’s longstanding commitment to helping arts and culture organizations lead with integrity, operate sustainably, and deliver lasting value to the communities they serve.
About Management Consultants for the Arts
Founded in 1983, Management Consultants for the Arts (MCA) was the nation’s first executive search firm to specialize exclusively in the arts and culture sector. MCA has guided leadership transitions and planning for hundreds of organizations nationwide, including OPERA America, Roundabout Theatre Company, San Francisco Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, MacDowell, Geffen Playhouse, The New Orleans Museum of Art, the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, the Guthrie Theater, and Seattle Opera. The firm is recognized for its rigor, discretion, and deep understanding of the arts ecosystem.
About Diaz Inclusion Consulting
Established in 2021, Diaz Inclusion Consulting is a national strategy and leadership development firm serving arts and culture organizations. Known for its proprietary frameworks and data-informed approach, Diaz Inclusion integrates governance, culture, and leadership design to build resilient institutions.
Inquiries:
Christy Wall | Executive Assistant
Management Consultants for the Arts
Email: info@mcaonline.com
Phone: (203) 353-0722