Hi Jodie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started performing in the theater when I was ten years old. By the time I was 18, I had performed in over 100 plays and attended two performing arts schools. I continued performing at Roosevelt University (Chicago) and Tel Aviv University (Israel). In 2000, I started my professional administrative career at Arizona Theatre Company, the largest theater company in Arizona and the only one in two cities (Tucson & Phoenix). My professional marketing and development background includes working for the following organizations: Phoenix Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, Glendale Arena/Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Broadway Theatre, and San Diego Repertory Theatre. In 2015, my husband Matt and I relocated to San Diego for his position as Director of Marketing & Communications at San Diego REP. I am currently the Senior Director of Philanthropy for the Jewish Federation of San Diego County, where I’ve been since 2016 and I’ve served in a volunteer capacity as a board member for Diversionary Theatre since 2016.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Since I’ve worked in the non-profit sector my entire professional career, I would say that my early life in the theatre has taught me to be resourceful. As people who are reared in the arts, we’re able to create from very little. We tend to be hard-working and solution-oriented. The most challenging thing for me, personally, has been recognizing that I can be resourceful. I’ve worked to build my confidence. Knowing that I have a community behind me, and can lean on that community, has made all the world difference. Weathering this current storm, the COVID pandemic has been particularly challenging since none of us have a “playbook.” Ultimately, we’re in it together and that speaks volumes.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a professional fundraiser, I have the good fortune of getting to work in partnership with donors. If you had told me twenty years ago that I would love being a professional fundraiser – I would have laughed! Many people fear asking people for things, and I subscribe to the notion of transformational vs. transactional fundraising. In partnership, we’re doing so much good for people. I’m regularly inspired by how generous and committed people are to the arts and to the community. It’s an honor to be able to make a contribution and leave the world I inherited just a little bit better. I’m most proud of the relationships that I’ve forged in the community.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
There’s probably not a lot that people would find surprising about me. I tend to wear my emotions on my sleeve, which is not always positive. If I had to take a guess – I’d say people would be surprised about my love for tiki culture. I started to get into the tiki scene because of my passion for vintage clothing. Now, I love music, art, and everything else tiki! We have a thriving tiki scene in San Diego.
Image Credits
My headshot is by Lani Nicole of Black Moon Images
