Lindauer Leading Chief Development Officer Search for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
November 15, 2024 – Lindauer was recently tapped by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) to lead in its search for a senior vice president and chief development officer. The assignment is being led by Libby Roberts, senior executive vice president, and Josh Maker, senior consultant. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is looking for a strategic and visionary chief development officer to lead a bold and comprehensive approach to fundraising. This pivotal role will drive PSO’ ambitious $84 million campaign to secure essential operational funding, support capital enhancements for the renowned Heinz Hall, and grow the orchestra’s endowment for long-term sustainability.
Reporting directly to the president and CEO, the chief development officer will lead and inspire a 15-member development team to meet both annual and campaign goals, implementing best practices across all facets of fundraising. This collaborative leader will work closely with PSO’s board of directors and senior leadership to craft a forward-looking, multi-year development strategy that reflects PSO’s artistic vision and community-centered mission.
Carrying a major gifts portfolio, the chief development officer will represent PSO’s mission to high-level donors, community stakeholders, and corporate partners, strengthening relationships and creating new opportunities for engagement. The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of philanthropic campaigns and a strategic approach to building a sustainable donor base, ensuring that the PSO remains at the forefront of cultural philanthropy.
Lindauer notes that this is an excellent opportunity for an innovative, passionate development professional to make a lasting impact on one of the world’s most celebrated orchestras.
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, established in 1896, has long been a pillar in the world of classical music, celebrated for its artistic excellence and transformative impact on audiences both locally and globally. Led by president and CEO Melia Tourangeau and music director Manfred Honeck, it is renowned for its exceptional musical performances, which are staged in its architectural landmark, Heinz Hall.
Lindauer serves higher and secondary education, hospitals, academic research centers, think tanks, research facilities, and foundations, as well as advocacy, public service, social justice and other mission-driven non-profits. The firm has led searches for the Boston YMCA, Center for Applied Special Technology, Healthy Minds Innovations/Center for Healthy Minds, the University of Texas at Austin, and the Cockrell School of Engineering, among others.
Deb Taft, chief executive officer, leads Lindauer with over 25 years of executive and senior-level experience across the non-profit sector, from education to healthcare/academic medicine to the youth service and voluntary sectors. Her expertise includes governance, strategic planning, fundraising, program and staff management, strategic marketing, analytics, and constituent engagement, as well as talent recruitment, retention, and development.
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Ms. Roberts has extensive philanthropic experience at top organizations establishing relationships with diverse constituents, focusing on strategic planning, executive search, team building, and board development. Her signature clients at Lindauer since 2014 have included: Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Berea College, Brookings Institution, Cranbrook Educational Community, Emerson College, Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mind Springs Health, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, the Museum of Arts and Design, and University of Technology Sydney.
Lindauer Seeking Chief Development Officer for SeriousFun Children’s Network
Lindauer was recently retained by SeriousFun Children’s Network to lead in its search for a new chief development officer. Vice president Maureen Huminik and consultant Taylor Beard are leading the assignment. Reporting directly to the CEO and working as a key member of the senior leadership team, the chief development officer will be tasked with expanding and diversifying SeriousFun’s fundraising efforts. They will oversee a talented team of nine development professionals and lead initiatives in individual giving, corporate partnerships, and major gifts, among other areas. SeriousFun Children’s Network, founded by actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, has been a beacon of hope and joy for children with serious illnesses for over 30 years.
Mr. Maker brings to Lindauer and its clients nearly a decade of global philanthropic consulting and project management experience in the nonprofit sector. He has partnered with a number of clients including; Art Institute of Chicago, Brooklyn Law School, Carnegie Mellon University, Cancer Research UK, Charlotte Country Day School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Drexel University, Esade Business School (Barcelona), Fuller Theological Seminary, Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Philadelphia Museum of Art, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Sidwell Friends School, Tate, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, University of Queensland, and the University of Toronto.
Past Chief Development Officer Search
Lindauer recently recruited Susie Posner-Jones as vice president and chief development officer of Boston Medical Center (BMC), the largest essential hospital in New England. The search was led by Lindauer assistant vice president Terri Rutter and senior consultant Elsa Gomes Bondlow. “Susie Posner-Jones brings an exemplary record of success in donor engagement, along with a dedication throughout her career to promoting health equity and addressing social determinants of health,” said Anthony Hollenberg, president of BMC. “She will elevate BMC’s nationally recognized care by deepening donor relationships and executing innovative fundraising strategies to support the expansion of patient services and hospital infrastructure.”
Ms. Posner-Jones has more than two decades of experience in development leadership positions, spanning education, human services, healthcare, and philanthropy. She was previously the chief development officer at Cambridge Health Alliance.
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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
