WS Chronicle

Maya Robinson has been hired as the chief development officer of the Winston-Salem Symphony.
As a member of the senior leadership team, Robinson will be responsible for the Winston-Salem Symphony’s overall fundraising initiatives, which include annual fundraising, major and capital gifts, corporate sponsorships, and special initiatives.

Prior to joining the Symphony, Robinson served as Major Contributions Manager for the Alliance Theatre at the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta. The Woodruff is the largest arts center in the Southeast and the fourth largest in the country. She served as a senior member of the Alliance’s Development team since 2011. Under Robinson’s leadership and during her tenure, the Alliance achieved record-breaking contributed revenue goals.

Prior to her position at the Alliance Theatre, Robinson established herself as a fundraiser at the Woodruff Arts Center in 2007 where she served as a Leadership Gifts Officer for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) heading up the ASO’s premier giving club, The Patron Partnership. In this role she collaborated with volunteers, staff, and musicians across the institution as part of a $6 million annual fund campaign.

Robinson’s 14-year career has been dedicated to arts and education. A Georgia native, Robinson earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Valdosta State University. Upon graduation, she was awarded the Allen Lee Hughes Fellowship at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., and subsequently joined the staff, assisting with grants, fundraising, and managing a donor membership program.

At Second Stage Theatre in New York City, Robinson assisted with grants and fundraising events. Robinson also worked at the American University in Washington, D.C., managing alumni and major gift prospect events for the university’s School of Communication. Her service to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Alliance Theatre distinguished her as a collaborative, accomplished, and successful fund development leader.

“I am thrilled to be joining the leadership team of the Winston-Salem Symphony,” said Robinson. “I look forward to working with the staff, board, (Music Director) Robert Moody, Symphony musicians, patrons, supporters, and the community-at-large to continue securing the future of this vibrant orchestra.”
The Winston-Salem Symphony’s Chief Development Officer search committee was comprised of board members Elms Allen, Steve Karr (Board Chair-elect), Michael Rogers (Immediate Past Board Chair & Fundraising Task Force Co-Chair), Matt York (Fundraising Task Force Co-Chair) and Winston-Salem Symphony President and CEO E. Merritt Vale.

“Maya is a top-notch addition to our senior management team,” said Merritt Vale. “Not only does she have knowledge of symphonic music, she has a proven track record of leading orchestral fundraising efforts and community engagement. I am confident Maya is the right person to help the Winston-Salem Symphony achieve its contributed revenue goals and foster community building.”

Joia Johnson, the Winston-Salem Symphony’s Board Chair said, “We were very impressed with Maya’s passion and dedication to the arts, as well as her fundraising abilities and accomplishments.  She will play a pivotal role in helping the Winston-Salem Symphony achieve its long-term goals.”