Dei Nikoi joins the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation as a Program Officer, where she’ll utilize her background in community engagement, project management, and arts administration to support the Performing Arts portfolio.
Dei Nikoi (she/her) is an operatic soprano, scholar, and grantmaker whose work lives at the intersection of art, community, and equity. As a Program Officer at the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, she supports the Performing Arts portfolio, drawing on a robust background in community engagement, arts administration, higher education, and project management. Dei is committed to strengthening the creative ecosystem and advancing equity in the cultural sector, particularly for artists of color.
Before joining PMAFF, Dei held roles across the Mid-Atlantic and Chicagoland regions, including positions with Chicago Public Schools, Arts + Public Life, and UChicago Arts. As Community Arts Engagement & Programs Manager for Arts + Public Life, she cultivated partnerships with local artists and arts organizations, coordinated public arts programming, supported the development of new work, and helped shape community-centered cultural initiatives.
A doubly-degreed musician, Dei holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Virginia and a Master of Music in Performance from George Mason University. Her artistic practice centers on liberation and healing through reparative narration — using storytelling and performance to foster individual and collective transformation.
Outside the office, you’ll find Dei somewhere singing, exploring Chicago’s live music scene, dancing at festivals, or strolling by the lake. A lover of travel, a good book, and a lively podcasts, she’s always open to recommendations.