(Philadelphia, October 20, 2020)—The Philadelphia Orchestra has appointed Doris Parent vice president of inclusion, diversity, equity, and access strategies (IDEAS) and strategic partnerships. In its commitment to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive institution dedicated to the art form of orchestral music, The Philadelphia Orchestra launched IDEAS in the spring of 2019 under the leadership of Doris Parent with guidance from Accordant Advisors.
Parent joined the Orchestra in September 2011 as senior director of corporate and foundation relations and became senior managing director of institutional development in October 2017. In her new role, she will continue to establish and implement ways to create a more inclusive and diverse culture at the Orchestra, based on data-driven methodologies to drive sustainable change. Parent will also cultivate and deepen relationships with government funding agencies and industry partners.
“I am honored to lead this amazing opportunity for the Orchestra to create and sustain impactful change within our organization,” said Parent. “Guided by our values, I look forward to working with the entire institution and with our community and philanthropic partners—both new and old—to ensure IDEAS is truly part of our DNA.”
“Doris is a passionate leader who has made significant contributions to The Philadelphia Orchestra’s fundraising initiatives and to IDEAS,” said Philadelphia Orchestra President and CEO Matías Tarnopolsky. “Diversity is excellence. We have been working on a rigorous analysis of the organization at all levels, taking critical steps to implement real and sustainable change to become an ever more inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible organization. With Doris now on the senior leadership team of The Philadelphia Orchestra, we look forward to continuing this journey and shaping our future, guided by IDEAS.”
Parent brings a wealth of leadership experience from her previous roles in development and strategic partnerships. As interim director of development and associate director of corporate and foundation relations at Gallaudet University, Parent developed strategies to increase fundraising, fostered new relationships with donors, and served on several institutional committees. Prior to her role with Gallaudet University, she was a development associate at the Water Environment Research Foundation, where she enacted strategies to obtain funding for endowment and research programs, as well as to secure new donors. Parent also spent over six years at the National 4-H Council, serving as a lead strategist for national youth programs.
Parent holds two bachelor’s degrees in psychology and family studies from the University of Maryland and her master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. She is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, having served as a board member and vice president of education and professional development for several years. Parent will assume the role of president of the association’s Greater Philadelphia Chapter, serving over 400 members, in January 2021. She also serves on the boards of Piffaro, The Renaissance Band, and the Maven Leadership Collective.
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