Highlights of Past Work

Over the course of 20+ years working and volunteering in the non-profit sector, I’ve had the opportunity to work across a wide range of projects, delivering excellent results.

AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT

Led 57% growth in Gen X and Millennial audiences & 46% growth in audiences of color at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis (OTSL).
Expanded national audience reach of OTSL to include 49 states, 7 Canadian provinces, and 17 countries.

Marketing Strategy

Twice led OTSL to its highest subscription renewal rate in two decades (89.2%).
Introduced segmented digital advertising strategies at OTSL, including re-targeting and geo-fencing to streamline expenses and maximize ROI.
Developed strategy to generate what was the Alliance Theatre’s highest grossing single ticket sales in 40 years and strategy to generate what remains 7 Stages’ highest grossing production in history.

Reception with David Henry Hwang and Huang Ruo

civic impact

Initiated, developed, and led OTSL’s Engagement + Inclusion Task Force.
Created OTSL’s Representation and Responsibility series.
Developed OTSL’s “Engagement Continuum” model for strategic planning.
Instituted “Industry Nights” and “Artist Rate” tickets at both OTSL and the Alliance to increase economic access.
Graduate of both Leadership St. Louis and LEAD Atlanta.
Developed successful sales and community engagement campaigns for projects that address a wide range of complex issues, including military hazing, homophobia in sports, radicalization and terrorism, the genocide in Rwanda, immigration rights for same-sex couples, sexual abuse in the church, the living wage, and ethics in science, among others.

Cator Woolford Gardens, venue for A Taste for Theatre — Cator Woolford Gardens, venue for *A Taste for Theatre*

fundraising

Developed strategy which resulted in 4-year $2M Wallace Foundation Building Audiences for Sustainability grant for OTSL
Secured anonymous challenge gift as Gateway Men’s Chorus (GMC) board president, resulting in nearly 200 new individual donors
Increased spending efficiency and revenue output at 7 Stages’ annual A Taste for Theatre fundraiser from a 2:1 ROI to a 5:1 ROI in two years.
As a committee volunteer, helped drive silent auction revenue at the Atlanta Human Rights Campaign annual dinner from $60K to $115K in two years.
Grant review panelist for the Fulton County Arts Council (Atlanta)

Receiving a proclamation on behalf of GMC for the organization’s 30th anniversary

strategic leadership

Initiated and led planning process for GMC’s first comprehensive strategic plan in a decade, leading to a 3-year window of fiscal growth and stability.
Led national searches for Executive Director and Artistic Director positions on behalf of GMC.
Secured new board participation from key corporate citizens for GMC in St. Louis (Wells Fargo, Enterprise, Monsanto, Stifel) and for 7 Stages in Atlanta (Delta, Coke, Bank of America, Met Life).
Consolidated three departments (marketing, communications, and box office) into a single department for OTSL.

program development

Created, managed, and expanded OTSL’s Opera Tastings program over 5 years, as a pathway to deepen engagement from new and recent opera-goers.
Managed community events featuring key artists such as Isaac Mizrahi, David Henry Hwang, Salman Rushdie, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jeff Whitty, Terence Blanchard, Kasi Lemmons, Twyla Tharp, Andre Benjamin, Tim Miller, Debbie Allen, and Barbara Ehrenreich, among others.
Facilitated process for B-52’s front man Fred Schneider to perform with GMC, generating one of the organization’s highest selling concert weekends.
Launched live tweeted performances at both the Alliance and OTSL.
Grew OTSL’s Young Friends program participation three-fold in three years.
Developed Rush Hour, Singles Night, and Dinner and Show series for 7 Stages - each building audience engagement in low-selling performances, new community partnerships, and corporate or foundation underwriting.

Opera Tastings at the National Blues Museum — *Opera Tastings* at the National Blues Museum

Isaac Mizrahi at Contemporary Art Museum

research, analysis, and data modeling

Developed audience personas and predictive buying segmentation for existing and prospective OTSL audiences based on extensive research analysis.
Oversaw inventory analysis, house scale, and demand-based pricing for OTSL, Alliance Theatre, and 7 Stages to maximize attendance and revenue.
Managed on-going AB testing, as well as countless qualitative and quantitative research initiatives to examine customer satisfaction, buyer behavior, brand perception, and new program testing.
Facilitated focus groups on behalf of OTSL, GMC, and Gesher Music Festival.
Presented data findings at convenings led by OPERA America, the Wallace Foundation, and the Arts & Education Council of St. Louis.

media relations & communications

Instituted OTSL’s annual New York press luncheon, leading to feature and review coverage in such varied media outlets as The New York Times, “Weekend Edition” (NPR), Rolling Stone, Mental_floss, World Journal, Out Magazine, and many others.
Grew OTSL’s local and national press coverage to reflect a full-year news cycle through expanded communication strategy.
Occasional feature writer for The Vital Voice (St. Louis) and Encore (Atlanta), including interviews and profiles with such artists as composer Tobias Picker, singer India Arie, and author Jamie Bernstein.
Frequent local radio and television appearances and frequently quoted in print media as subject matter expert on the relationship between the arts, audiences, and communities.