vailsymposium

Kris Sabel-Executive Director

Kris Sabel began as the Vail Symposium Executive Director on September 1, 2016. Most recently Sabel served as the Executive Director for the Vilar Performing Arts Center for 15 years. Originally from Port Washington, Wisc., Sabel completed his education with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Stephens College in Columbia, Mo. and a Master of Arts from the University of Missouri. He has resided locally since August of 1999.

He first became familiar with the Vail Symposium when the Symposium hosted the Festival of Words, the Toronto Film Festival, a program with Ayaan Hirsi Ali and others at the VPAC.  He has also worked with the Symposium to moderate discussions on select arts programs.

Sabel’s wife, Ruth Johnson, is the President and CEO of Roundup River Ranch.

Email Kris at ksabel@vailsymposium.org

Arzu Basyildiz-Office and Event Manager

Arzu is a long time resident of the Vail Valley. She loves volunteering throughout the Vail Valley and joined Vail Symposium team in September 2017.
Before joining the Vail Symposium team, she worked at Vail Jazz; she also works part-time at Vail Resorts. She and her husband own a small retail shop in Edwards, Nomadic Collection, where she was the buyer and store manager for more than 15 years. She also managed a bank branch for seven years when she was living in Turkey. She has Economics and Interior designs degrees and is also a professional interpreter for legal needs.

Email Arzu at arzu@vailsymposium.org

Dale Mosier-Chairman

Dale Mosier became the Chairman of the Vail Symposium Board of Directors on July 1, 2016. He assumed the role from Rohn Robbins. Mosier himself has been an integral part of the Symposium. First as a program volunteer, then board member, then as chairman of the Program Committee, he is credited with bringing some of the most high-caliber speakers and programs to the Symposium.

Originally from Dallas, Pennsylvania, Dale retired from the field of engineering before entering the Peace Corps as a volunteer alongside his wife, Jeanne, for two years in rural South Africa and three years in Lolongwe, Malawi, where Dale served as the Malawi Country Director. He then spent a year in Washington DC training new country directors.

Dale has always been interested in current events and hot button issues and he views it as the Vail Symposium’s role in this community to bring such issues to the forefront of discussion. He also believes in a diverse program schedule including stimulating discussion on art, adventure and more.