RPO's Marketing and Development Departments Welcome New Positions and New Faces

Rochester, NY – The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is pleased to announce a number of new staff changes and additions, all of which are now in effect.

Fairport resident Kate Wahl, who has worked in several leadership positions in RPO marketing and development since 1998, will be returning to her marketing and patron services roots.  Ms. Wahl assumes a new role as Manager of Patron Relations and Sales, managing the patron services and box office team, subscription sales and telemarketing, with additional focus on group sales, concessions, and special revenue-generating projects. As the RPO works toward a more unified model between its marketing and development teams, Ms. Wahl also will play a critical relationship management role with both patrons and donors.  Ms. Wahl received her bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Nazareth College in 1988.

Rochester resident Sarah Goldstein Post has been promoted to Manager of Annual Giving, responsible for managing and overseeing all annual development activities, including the Annual Campaign.  Ms. Goldstein Post will oversee two new development positions – Development Associate and Development Projects Coordinator.  In her former role as Annual Giving Coordinator, she was responsible for the planning and implementation of the RPO’s Annual Campaign – this year set at $2.4 million dollars – and worked closely with direct mail and telefunding partners.  Ms. Goldstein Post received her bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from the State University of New York at Fredonia and her master’s in Arts Administration from Florida State University.

Rochester native Jillian Pritchard takes on the new title as Coordinator of Donor Cultivation and Stewardship.   Ms. Pritchard will focus on managing a host of small, intimate donor events, overseeing donor stewardship and serving as orchestra liaison for donor cultivation.  She also will continue some of her former duties as Development Assistant in special events.  In 2003, Ms. Pritchard received her bachelor’s degree from the Eastman School of Music in Percussion Performance and Music Education, and completed her master’s degree in 2005 at Northwestern University in Percussion Performance.  She also performs part-time in the RPO’s percussion section.

The RPO also welcomes Hudson, Ohio native Pavel Sullivan as Development Projects Coordinator working on the Annual Campaign, and including such activities as donor follow-up and acknowledgements.  Currently a Rochester resident, Mr. Sullivan received his bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 2007 from the Eastman School of Music, and just completed a summer development internship with the RPO.

Kristen Butler also joins the RPO development staff as Development Associate. In that position, Ms. Butler will be working on grants and sponsorship development and coordination, as well as major development events such as the Opening Night Celebration.  Ms. Butler was hired following her RPO summer internship in special events.  This month, Ms. Butler will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in music industry from the State University of New York at Oneonta.  She currently lives in the town of Gates.