Sue Ellen Beryl, Founder in Residence

Sue Ellen Beryl took on the newly created position of Founder in Residence at PBD on September 1, after stepping down as the longtime managing director of the company, which she co-founded in 2000. In her new capacity, Sue Ellen will be working to help secure the company’s next 25 years, which includes starting an endowment, deepening relationships with donors and partners, and bringing new people into the PBD family. Sue Ellen made her professional theatre debut as a dancer in New York City at nine years old, and performed on stage and screen with such great artists as Zero Mostel, Theodore Bikel, Paul Sorvino, and Peter Gennaro. A graduate of Pace University, Sue Ellen began her career in theatrical management as managing director of the Schimmel Center for the Arts, and box office manager and publicity director for Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. In addition, her business experience includes 10 years in the New York advertising industry and several years managing a family-owned business on the New York Commodity Exchange. She is proud of her service to the community as a former board member of the Palm Beach County Cultural Council, serving two years as chairman of their Cultural Executives Committee. Sue Ellen also participated for three years on the Allocations Committee for the Town of Palm Beach United Way and is a national ambassador for the Entertainment Community Fund. She and William Hayes are recipients of the REMY Pioneer Award presented by the South Florida Theatre League (2015), and the George Abbott Award (2025), presented by the Carbonell Awards for outstanding achievement in the arts.