Thursday (3/22) on naplesnews.com blog The Stage Door (Florida), Chris Silk reports, “Interesting news out of the Philharmonic this afternoon. A new position will oversee the marketing, development and customer service teams. At first blush, Mary Deissler’s appointment looks like new CEO Kathleen van Bergen wants to both strengthen her senior management team and diversify the voices offering input. The move to appoint someone to oversee Development may also be in response to possible concerns about the Philharmonic’s ability to raise funds without the personal presence of founder and former longtime CEO Myra Daniels. The news release specifically highlights her past fund-raising capabilities. Welcome to Naples, Ms. Deissler.” In a press release, the Philharmonic states, “Mary Deissler, a leader in the arts and non-profit fields, has been named the Chief Advancement Officer at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts. … She comes to the Phil from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, where she was Director of Campaigns and Major Gifts. … Deissler worked as CEO of the Handel and Haydn Society in Boston from 1984 to 2007, and before that for two years as development director. When Deissler joined the Handel and Haydn Society in 1982, the organization had a budget of $600,000 and a deficit of $250,000. When she left, the annual budget was $3.2 million and the organization had a $3 million endowment, thanks to her efforts and those of the board that she helped to develop.”
Posted March 23, 2012
