“Great Art Does Not Require a Trail of Misery”
Gratitude, Growth, and What’s Next for Capacity
AUTHOR:
Priya Iyer Doshi
When I was offered the role of President at Capacity, it came out of the blue—literally. I was driving from Los Angeles to San Diego, windows down, an expansive sapphire sky before me. As I took the call from CI’s Founder, Erik Gensler, the wind whipped through my hair with the same lack of restraint as my thoughts—swirling, colliding, and carrying me toward something new. The forward trajectory of my drive felt kismet with this new career path unexpectedly before me.
That was just over four years ago.
I assumed this new position after serving as a CI consultant for four years with a brief stint at an outside agency in between. I stepped into the role of President with a full heart and the same deep belief I have always held in the power of the arts to shape the way we see the world. Erik passed the baton to me with trust and vision—and yes, we made a video about it.
I said then that returning to Capacity Interactive felt like coming home. That the opportunity to serve this industry—one I love so much—was unparalleled. That I was excited to rebuild, to reimagine, and to collaborate with the incredible arts administrators who wake up every day to change lives through storytelling. Today, I share the news that I will be leaving my role as President of CI—but I feel all that I felt at the beginning still, multiplied tenfold.
I embraced this new role about a year after the world turned upside down for all of us with the global pandemic. We were still reeling as a firm, still finding our footing. But now, here we are, four years later—not just standing but thriving. We didn’t just recover, we redefined. We’ve more deeply embraced who we are, transitioning to a 100% remote company and proving that our strength has never been about where we work but how we work together with each other and the organizations we care about. We’ve become a 100% employee-owned company, putting real, tangible value into the hands of the brilliant, passionate people who make CI what it is:
We’ve deepened our relationships—with our clients, our industry, and one another. We expanded our consulting practice, released new research, and launched a brand-new website. We’ve built, we’ve transformed, we’ve grown. And for me, these past four years have been, hands down, the most fulfilling of my career…
Serving as CI’s President has been one of the greatest honors, privileges, and joys of my life. But after nearly eight years with this company, it’s time for me to step away, to create space, and to explore what’s next. Leadership teaches you many things, but most of all, it teaches you to trust in the people around you. And I do. Wholeheartedly.
This brings me to the best part of this announcement: my colleague and dear friend, Christopher Williams, will step in as Interim President of CI upon my departure.
For the entirety of my CI tenure, Christopher has been a visionary, leader, and supporter. When we transitioned from Erik’s leadership to mine, Erik spoke about Christopher’s importance to our firm, and in the years since, I have only come to appreciate that more deeply. He has been my partner in leading this firm, my collaborator, and my friend. He is, without question, the right person to lead CI into its next chapter.
Christopher has been here from the true beginning, shaping this company alongside Erik as arts marketing was being transformed by digital. He lives and breathes CI’s values—not just in what he says but in how he shows up every single day. For more than 30 years, he has dedicated his career to this industry. And as Erik said in the video, Christopher has an incredible super skill: he sees the unique talents in those around him. He used that skill to bring me into this role, and I have no doubt he will continue to use it to lift and support everyone at CI in the same way. He is a gifted arts marketer, a generous coach, and an extraordinary leader. CI simply wouldn’t be what it is today without him. Christopher has my full trust, my full confidence, and my full support as he steps into the role of Interim President.
Over the next few months, Christopher and I will co-lead CI, ensuring a smooth transition. By the beginning of July, he will be at the helm. And I have no doubt that under his leadership, CI will continue to grow, evolve, and push the field forward.
To our clients, our partners, and most of all, to the extraordinary team at CI: thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for your trust, your dedication, your passion. What I will miss most is the people—the ones who make this industry and this company what it is. But I won’t be far. CI will always be a part of me. I hope to continue to advise our board and even see you all at Boot Camp in the years to come. In the meantime, please reach out and connect—I’d love to hear from you.
My next chapter is yet to be written, but I promise you this: I will continue to be unapologetic in fighting for the power of diverse art, music, and storytelling to build empathy and change perspectives in a world that so desperately needs it.
With my deepest gratitude and warmest wishes,
Priya Iyer Doshi
