MEDIA CONTACT: Judy Moore at (847) 491-4819 or jkm229@northwestern.edu

Oliver Ionita to Join Northwestern as Director of Development
for the School of Music

Formerly director of institutional giving for the New York Philharmonic

EVANSTON—Sarah Pearson, Vice President of Alumni Relations and Development, Northwestern University, announced today that Oliver Ionita has been appointed director of development for the School of Music. In this position, he will collaborate with Dean Toni-Marie Montgomery in planning and implementing the school's fundraising initiatives. Ionita previously served as director of institutional giving for the New York Philharmonic.

"Oliver Ionita brings with him a record of successful arts fundraising at major arts institutions," said Montgomery. "Mr. Ionita's combined educational training and work experience make him an ideal fit for director of development for the Northwestern University School of Music."

"Oliver's broad background will be an enormous asset to the School of Music," said Pearson. "He will be key in moving forward the many new initiatives of the school and its elevation to the next level of excellence."

Oliver Ionita commented, "I am thrilled to be joining Northwestern's renowned School of Music at such an exciting time in its distinguished history. I look forward to doing my part to meet the challenges and further the success of the School of Music."

Ionita holds a bachelor of music degree from the Juilliard School and a master of arts in Performing Arts Administration from New York University. He began his career at Lincoln Center Theater in New York, subsequently moving on to the Manhattan School of Music where as development officer he established an institutional planned giving program and an alumni council. In 1996 he joined the development staff of Jazz at Lincoln Center, and in 2000 was appointed associate director of corporate, foundation, and government development of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. He was promoted to director of institutional giving, where he was responsible for generating nearly 10% of that organization's approximately $50 million budget through institutional sources. Ionita has also served as a panelist for the City of New York Department of Cultural Affairs as well as a music panelist for the New York State Council on the Arts.

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