HEAR FROM YOUR PEER
A new fundraising best practices podcast series brought to you by RSC’s Fundraising Growth Now!
Week 1: Jonathan Norris
Chief Development Officer, Frist Art Museum
Our first episode of Hear From Your Peer features Jonathan Norris, Chief Development Officer with the Frist Art Museum in Nashville, Tennessee. Jonathan led the organization to reverse a multi-year decline in membership levels through an overhaul of both the internal process and external communications.
Listen today for new perspectives and success stories in Hear from Your Peer.
Week 2: Paul Hogle
President & CEO, Cleveland Institute of Music
This episode features Paul Hogle, President and Chief Executive Officer with the Cleveland Institute of Music, who has crafted ambitious strategic plans that stay pragmatic and relational, and most importantly, drive fundraising growth.
Listen today for clear, candid guidance from people who are doing the work every day, and to highlight the strategies, habits, and decisions that are moving arts organizations forward.
Week 3: Mary McFadden Lawson
Chief Philanthropy Officer, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
This episode features Mary McFadden Lawson, Chief Philanthropy Officer with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, who highlights how team alignment and intentional planning, paired with a culture that celebrates every win, are the foundations of meaningful long-term donor success.
Listen today for clear, candid guidance from people who are doing the work every day, and to highlight the strategies, habits, and decisions that are moving arts organizations forward.
Week 4: Kathryn R Martin
President and CEO, Santa Barbara Symphony
Today’s episode features Kathryn Martin, President and CEO of the Santa Barbara Symphony, who reflects on securing transformational gifts and the universal principles that inspire donors to make a gift of a lifetime.
Listen today for clear, candid guidance from people who are doing the work every day, and to highlight the strategies, habits, and decisions that are moving arts organizations forward.
Week 5: Amy Williams
President and CEO, Savannah Philharmonic
This episode features Amy Williams, President and CEO of the Savannah Philharmonic, who has reshaped the Phil's programming to uniquely serve the Savannah community—and in doing so, unlocked new fundraising growth.
Listen today for clear, candid guidance from people who are doing the work every day, and to highlight the strategies, habits, and decisions that are moving arts organizations forward.
Week 6: Sidney P. Jackson
President and CEO, Chicago Sinfonietta
This episode features Sidney P. Jackson, President and CEO of the Chicago Sinfonietta, who shares how lessons from his fundraising career have informed his transition to Chief Executive—and how curiosity and courage can shape stronger donor relationships.
Listen today for clear, candid guidance from people who are doing the work every day, and to highlight the strategies, habits, and decisions that are moving arts organizations forward.
Week 7: Rachel Ford
Chief Executive Officer, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra
This episode features Rachel Ford, Chief Executive Officer with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, who has successfully built major gifts through strong portfolio-management, despite a small team.
Listen today for clear, candid guidance from people who are doing the work every day, and to highlight the strategies, habits, and decisions that are moving arts organizations forward.
Week 8: Lyndy Franklin Smith and Jeromy Smith
Co-founders, The Lexington Theatre Company
Today’s episode features Lyndy Franklin Smith and Jeromy Smith, co-founders of the Lexington Theatre Company. In just ten years, they’ve thoughtfully balanced resources and opportunity to grow the organization into the largest arts organization in Lexington, Kentucky.
Listen today for clear, candid guidance from people who are doing the work every day, and to highlight the strategies, habits, and decisions that are moving arts organizations forward.
Week 9: Shannon Walenta
Chief Operating Officer, Opera Omaha
In today’s conversation, Jeremy Hatch speaks with Shannon Walenta, COO of Opera Omaha. One idea came through clearly: organizations earn trust when community engagement is part of how they operate, not just something they add on.
Join us to explore what arts leaders can learn from Opera Omaha’s example and why that matters right now.
Week 10: Nathan Lutz
Executive Director, Carmel Bach Festival
In today’s conversation, Jeremy Hatch speaks with Nathan Lutz, Executive Director of Carmel Bach Festival. The discussion revolved around one main idea: leading change in an arts organization is not just about setting a new direction. It is about building enough trust that people can move with you.
Join us to explore what that can look like in practice for Boards, staff, donors, and audiences.
Week 11: Brittany A. Hall
President and CEO, Fort Wayne Philharmonic
In today’s conversation, Jeremy Hatch speaks with Brittany A. Hall, President and CEO of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, about how designing programming with service to the community in mind shapes audience experience, builds stronger engagement, and supports the path from attendance to philanthropy.
It’s a thoughtful conversation for arts leaders and fundraisers thinking about programming, access, and donor development.
Week 12: Jonathan Martin
Arts Executive
In today’s conversation, Jeremy Hatch speaks with Jonathan Martin, an arts leader who has led various prestigious performing arts organizations through growth, financial pressure, Board dynamics, audience change, and long-range planning.
Listen in for five practical lessons for Development professionals, Executives, and Board members.