03 FEB
Musical Conference Turnaround
Conference Musical Turnaround with Ana Lopes, Chair of Board of Directors, Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
In 2001, the problems at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra — ostensibly the musical flagship of Canada's largest city and financial capital — ran deep: the orchestra had no money, no management, no artistic director; the relationship between musicians and management could only be described as toxic. Subscriptions were down; public affection for the orchestra was minimal. The Toronto Symphony had a cumulative debt of C$7 million — that's 41% of an operating budget of around C$17 million.
In November 2006, CEO Andrew Shaw announced the Toronto Symphony Orchestra had finally stopped running deficits – a task that seemed “mission impossible” when the orchestra came close to declaring bankruptcy in late 2001.
Behind this remarkable turnaround is Ana Paula Lopes.
Ana Paula Lopes is a communications consultant raised in Lisbon, and a graduate of the University of Toronto.
In 1995, Ms. Lopes established Saralex Communications, focusing on promotion, marketing, and event management to help clients with strategies to reposition their companies in the global economy. She also served in a number of senior positions within the Ontario government and the City of Toronto including the role of executive assistant to Premier Bob Rae from 1992 to 1995.
Ana Paula Lopes has been an active member of the Board of Directors of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra since January 2002. In addition to holding the position of Vice Chair (Vice President) from 2004 to 2006, she became the first woman in the 86-year history of the organization to serve as Chair of the Board of Directors, beginning in January 2007. Because she views fundraising as a key responsibility of the Board, she also leads the Development Steering Committee, which oversees all the fundraising activities which are critical to sustaining the organization.
Ana Paula Lopes has accepted to come to NOVA and share with us the experience of turning around the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
