The Virginia Symphony Orchestra (VSO) has selected Shannon Kelly as Vice President of Development and Operations, and Arts Consulting Group (ACG) extends its congratulations on her leadership appointment. She began her tenure on January 30, 2023.
An experienced leader in arts advocacy, operations, and education, Shannon Kelly joins the VSO following her tenure as Senior Director of Government Affairs at the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. In this role, Kelly delivered an increase in local, state, and federal public funding to support the Foundation’s programs, including the Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts and Wolf Trap Opera. She guided the negotiation process for the renewal of cooperative partnership with the National Park Service for operations at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, completing a signed 20-year agreement and securing the Foundation’s position as an innovative public lands partner.
Previously, Kelly was Director of Advocacy and Policy at National Association for Music Education, where she led all advocacy efforts at the national association serving over 80,000 music educators. A strong community leader, Kelly created a nationally recognized, award-winning member engagement campaign supporting reauthorization of the Every Student Succeeds Act. She also served as a Presidential Management Fellow and Program Analyst for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and as a Health Development Officer for the U.S. Agency for International Development. She holds master’s degrees in music from the New England Conservatory and in public policy from American University, as well as a bachelor of arts degree in history from the University of Virginia.
In making the announcement, VSO President and CEO Andrea Warren said, “I am thrilled to welcome Shannon to the VSO and our wonderful arts community as our VP of Development and Operations. Her leadership experience with the Wolf Trap Foundation and governmental knowledge will be invaluable to VSO.”
February 2023