Apra-IL Webinar: Arts & Culture Roundtable

Apra-IL Webinar: Arts & Culture Roundtable

Apra-IL is continuing the roundtable prospecting panel series! Join four of your prospect development professionals as they discuss life working in the arts & culture industry. Topics will include the characteristics of a "good prospect" in the arts & culture space, the challenges of leveraging memberships for prospect identification, unique tools and visualizations, and how to handle data within arts and culture organizations.  

Speaker Bios: 

Bill Farr, Lyric Opera of Chicago: Bill Farr has been Manager of Prospect Research at Lyric Opera of Chicago since 2019. He launched W.B. Farr Nonprofit Services in 2000 and has more than thirty years of development and research experience. He has worked with universities, medical centers, museums, human service organizations, international relief agencies, private schools, foundations, and professional organizations. 

Hope Oester, Chicago Symphony Orchestra: Hope Oester (she/her) is currently the Prospect and Donor Research Specialist at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In this role she supports the Development team with research and the prospect discovery process. She holds a BA in Art History with minors in Psychology and Management from Loyola University of Chicago. Outside of the research world, you can find her reading or enjoying time by the Lake.

Keli Jonas, The Art Institute of Chicago: Keli Jonas is the Director of Prospect Management and Research at the Art Institute of Chicago. In this role, she leads the team that partners with the greater philanthropy department on prospect research and portfolio management. She was previously Manager of Prospect Development and Analytics at the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Prior to that, she worked at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business for six years in prospect research, ending her time there as an Associate Director. Before joining Chicago Booth, she worked in prospect research at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and supported regional development fundraising efforts at her alma mater, Marquette University. She is also the former Chair of the Programming Committee at Apra-IL. Keli earned her bachelor's degree in International Affairs and French Language and Literature from Marquette University. 

Phillip Leung, Writer's Theatre: Phillip Leung is Manager of Individual Giving and Donor relations with the Writers Theatre, where he oversees the monthly renewal process of the Theatre's current donor base, as well as its multi-tiered acquisition appeals aimed at growing the donor pipeline. He is the super-user of Tessitura, managing the accurate and strategic use of the CRM across all members. Phillip provides a through-line to WT's marketing team as well, ensuring that the website is up to date and user friendly to its supporters. He heads up personalized stewardship and recognition to supporters, ensuring donor benefits are delivered and used, and that donor listings are up-to-date on all print, digital, and physical donor materials. He was previously a Specialist and Volunteer Champion at Apple Inc, where Phillip had the opportunity to organize volunteer events with local nonprofit organizations and manage monetary donations. Other professional experience includes equity research and financial analysis, as well as commodities and equity trading. Phillip has volunteered in several capacities over the course of his education and career and is passionate about community and culture.