m/Oppenheim Executive Search Recruits Executive Director for Creative Alliance

March 28, 2024 – Non-profit recruitment firm m/Oppenheim Executive Search has placed Jason Steer as the new executive director of Creative Alliance in Baltimore, MD. Lee Kappelman, Oscar Quiros, and Steve Oppenheim led the assignment.  “We are thrilled to welcome Jason Steer to Creative Alliance and to Baltimore,” said Amy Seto, Creative Alliance board president. “Jason brings to us his vision and experience in spearheading impactful initiatives and cultivating strategic collaborations. He will lead our beloved staff and organization to new heights.”

With over two decades of experience, Mr. Steer is known for his commitment to community engagement, inclusivity, nurturing talent on and off stage, strategic program design, and partnership-building. He comes to Creative Alliance from the Apollo Theatre in New York where he served in several senior roles spanning programming, educational leadership, and youth engagement. At the Apollo, Mr. Steer was instrumental in creating a comprehensive arts and entertainment succession pipeline program. His efforts significantly contributed to nurturing emerging talents in the arts while strengthening community ties.

“A champion for inclusivity, Jason skillfully employs his creative insights to amplify the voices of those often marginalized, ensuring they are heard, valued, and empowered,” Creative Alliance said. “His academic background in studio art and sociology underpins his understanding of the complex interplay between art and society, enabling him to effectively engage with culture seekers from all walks of life.”

As executive director, Mr. Steer is responsible for Creative Alliance’s overall management including artistic and educational direction, programming, business operations, audience engagement, earned and contributed revenue, and sustained financial health.

“Baltimore presents an exhilarating opportunity for me to merge my personal journey with the diverse narratives of the city,” said Mr. Steer. “As a creator, an immigrant, and a Black man, I’ve navigated the complexities of being misunderstood, and I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of art in giving voice to the voiceless. In Baltimore, with its rich cultural tapestry, I see a canvas where art can be a bridge, connecting diverse experiences and fostering deeper understanding beyond words. My aspiration is to contribute, even in modest ways, to amplifying the voices of artists and their creations in this vibrant community, championing their stories as they shape the city’s unique identity.”

Baltimore’s cultural leader since 1995, Creative Alliance was founded to present and promote Baltimore’s wealth of creative talent; to make the arts an accessible and vital part of community life; and to engage artists and audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Creative Alliance’s mission and programs fuse the transformative power of art and community.

Non-Profit Specialists

San Francisco-based m/Oppenheim was founded by Mark Oppenheim after a 28-year career in organizational development, professional services, and executive search consulting. The organization goes back to two firms founded by the Oppenheim family: CM Oppenheim & Associates, a New York-based company which later extended its operations into Europe, and Phillips Oppenheim, based in New York and focusing on service to non-profits.

Related: How Non-Profits Can Identify and Recruit Their Next Great Leader

Ms. Kappelman, a principal with the firm, has a 30-year career as a non-profit leader, executive search and fundraising consultant, artist representative, and film and television producer. She previously headed the search and fundraising practices at Arts Consulting Group and led fundraising at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Kappelman has held senior executive positions at CBS Television and King World Entertainment. She was also a literary agent in Los Angeles and New York.

Mr. Quiros, also a principal, joined m/Oppenheim Executive Search in 2013. Previously, he worked for Madbury Road as digital marketing consultant where he implemented the company’s digital marketing strategy. Mr. Quiros started his career working as an IP lawyer in Mexico City handling brands for multiple high profile international clients.

Mr. Oppenheim, also a principal, joined m/Oppenheim Executive Search after a career in news, media and publishing. He worked at ABC’s World News This Morning, World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, and with the nationally syndicated news magazine program Inside Edition. 

Recent Search

m/Oppenheim recently recruited Michelle Heritage as the new executive director for the American Brain Foundation. With a strong track record of success and a commitment to bold outcomes, Ms. Heritage will lead the American Brain Foundation into a new era of education, innovation, and impact.

“Michelle’s extensive experience and leadership will propel the Foundation toward its vision of creating a life without brain disease,” said American Brain Foundation board chair David W. Dodick. “On behalf of the entire board, we are thrilled for Michelle to take the helm as the American Brain Foundation paves the way for groundbreaking and transformative research, ensuring brighter futures for all impacted by neurological disorders.”

Related: Achieving Diversity for Non-Profits

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor; Lily Fauver, Senior Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media