New Haven, CT (July 3, 2013): The Board of Directors of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) is pleased to announce new additions to the Board and staff.
Longtime NHSO Board members Stephen August and Robert Dannies departed from the Board at the end of the 2012-2013 season. They were each presented with gifts and thanked for their many years of service – Robert Dannies had served on the Board for 28 years and Stephen August for 17. Board member Sandra Senich departed as well and was thanked for fostering a strong relationship between the NHSO and Bank of America. New officers were selected for the upcoming 2013-2014 season with the following unanimous decisions: Burton Alter, President; Tracey Scheer, Vice President; Mario Zangari, Secretary; and Robert Sandy, Treasurer. Newly elected to the Board of Directors was Richard Cella.
Richard is a Senior Vice President and Senior Trust Officer at US Trust, with 25 years of experience in trust administration, tax and estate planning for high net worth families and business owners. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Tufts University and obtained a Certificate of Graduation in Trust and Estate Planning from the New England School of Banking at Williams College. He also holds a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor designation though the Institution of Certified Bankers of the American Bankers Association. Richard is Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee of Riverside Cemetery Association in Waterbury, Connecticut and past President of the Connecticut Estate and Tax Planning Council, Inc.
Executive Director Elaine Carroll is pleased to announce new members of the NHSO staff as well. Nikki Besitko recently joined the team at the NHSO as Development Director. As Development Director, Nikki is responsible for building the capacity of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra by overseeing a comprehensive year-round fundraising program. She will manage all fundraising initiatives to achieve annually budgeted goal, while growing earned income to ensure the financial stability of the NHSO. Efforts include annual fund, corporate sponsorship, foundation and government grants, trusts management, planned giving, endowment campaign, special events, in-kind donations, and other special projects.
Nikki has fifteen years of experience in fundraising, event planning, program development and management. Prior to joining the Symphony, Nikki was the Director of Development at Dwight Hall at Yale, the University’s Center for Public Service and Social Justice. She worked at Best Buddies Connecticut from 2006-2012, as the State Director for the Connecticut chapter of Best Buddies International. She also has fundraising and management experience in other non-profits including Special Olympics Connecticut and Leeway, Inc. of New Haven. Nikki received a degree in psychology from Eastern Connecticut State University.
In addition, Lindsey Christiani was recently appointed as Marketing Manager for the NHSO. As Marketing Manager, Lindsey is responsible for planning and executing marketing initiatives to achieve earned income goals and support the NHSO brand. Efforts include public relations, advertising, promotion, season subscription renewal and acquisition campaigns, direct mail, merchandising, audience research, in-kind donations of media, and special projects.
Lindsey has seven years of experience in performing arts development and marketing. Prior to joining the Symphony, Lindsey was the Community Development Specialist at the VNA of South Central CT. She worked at Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts from 2007-2012, as Box office Manager, Annual Giving and Special Events Manager, and Director of Individual Gifts. She currently works part-time as Box Office & Events Manager at the John Lyman Center for the Performing Arts at SCSU, where she received a degree in Communication.
For more information about the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, visit us online at www.NewHavenSymphony.org
