The Cleveland Orchestra Appoints Abby Mitchell as Chief Development Officer

Cleveland Orchestra Executive Director André Gremillet and Board of Trustees President Dennis W. LaBarre today announced that Abby Mitchell will join the Orchestra as Chief Development Officer on Monday, July 18, 2016. Ms. Mitchell's charge is to further strengthen the long-term partnership between the Orchestra and its hometown. Ms. Mitchell takes on the position vacated by Jon Limbacher, who returned to Minnesota to lead the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra as Managing Director and President.

"Abby Mitchell has a proven record of success as a fundraising professional with deep knowledge of the Cleveland philanthropic landscape," stated Dennis W. LaBarre. "Most importantly, she has the expertise required to build upon and manage future growth for the Orchestra's development efforts. She is uniquely prepared to help build on this community's historic spirit of generosity to serve Northeast Ohio and to instill an impassioned love for music in future generations."

"Abby has over 15 years of robust fundraising experience at leading institutions across Ohio, including two of the most prestigious in Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and the Cleveland Clinic," stated André Gremillet. "She has a highly successful track record as a fundraiser and executive leader, and brings extensive knowledge of Northeast Ohio's philanthropic scene. We are extremely pleased to welcome her to The Cleveland Orchestra family as we prepare to build upon a century of excellence focused forward on Northeast Ohio's future."

"I am greatly looking forward to my new role with The Cleveland Orchestra," Abby Mitchell said. "I developed a love of music at a young age, with a little wise help from my mother. And I personally understand the value of music to connect audiences and friends and family together. I am elated at the opportunity to lead fundraising efforts on behalf of The Cleveland Orchestra, and look forward to the many challenges ahead. I can't think of a more meaningful way to help future generations than by working for this world-renowned Orchestra as it begins a second century playing great music for the great people of Northeast Ohio."

As Chief Development Officer, Ms. Mitchell will be a member of The Cleveland Orchestra's senior staff and the top development professional devoted to maximizing contributed giving to the Orchestra. She will manage the Orchestra's Philanthropy & Advancement team and help guide Board leadership to develop and execute overall fundraising strategy, including contributed revenue from individuals, corporations, foundations, and government. Her fundraising leadership extends to philanthropic giving worldwide, including Cleveland Orchestra Miami where she will collaborate with the Managing Director in Miami on strategic fundraising opportunities and planning.

A native of Carrollton, Ohio, Abby Mitchell earned her Master of Healthcare Administration and Bachelor of Arts degrees at The Ohio State University. In addition to her roles as Executive Director for Medical Development at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and Assistant Vice President of Development at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Ms. Mitchell has held positions at the Cleveland Clinic and Nationwide Children's Hospital.

As it nears the centennial of its founding in 2018, The Cleveland Orchestra is undergoing a renaissance in partnership with Music Director Franz Welser-Möst. Acknowledged as among the world's best, its musicians, staff, board of directors, volunteers, and hometown are working together on a set of enhanced goals for the 21st century - to develop the youngest audiences of any orchestra; to renew its focus on fully serving the communities where it performs through concerts, engagement, and music education; to continue its legendary musical excellence; to build on its tradition of community support and financial strength; and to move forward into the Orchestra's next century with a commitment to diversified programming. The Cleveland Orchestra divides its time each year across concert seasons at home in Cleveland's Severance Hall and each summer at Blossom Music Center. Additional portions of the year are devoted to touring and to a series of innovative and intensive performance residencies. These include an annual four-week residency in Miami, a biennial residency at Vienna's Musikverein, and appearances at Switzerland's Lucerne Festival, New York's Lincoln Center Festival, and Indiana University. For more information, visit www.clevelandorchestra.com.