The Contemporary American Theater Festival at Shepherd University is pleased to welcome Vicki Willman, the group’s new Director of Development.

Vicki Willman, who joined the organization January 19th,has over two decades of experience in progressively responsible fundraising and development positions in the performing arts, public radio and television, and higher education. Willman will work closely with CATF’s staff, their Board of Trustees, and Festival volunteers, to achieve contributed income goals in order to support the creation and production of new American theater. She will build relationships with individual, corporate, foundation, institutional and government contributors, as well as community partners.

For the last eleven years, Willman has served as Director of Development with the Maryland Symphony Orchestra (MSO) based in Hagerstown, MD. As the MSO’s first full-time development officer, she enhanced their annual fund campaign, created sponsorships for concert performances and launched initiatives to support their educational outreach programs. In addition to handling the bulk of their grant writing, Willman also assisted with MSO’s estate and planned giving efforts.

During her tenure, the MSO successfully met or exceeded annual contributed income budget goals to secure in excess of $8.1 million in unrestricted revenues and just over $600,000 in restricted principal gifts to the institution’s professionally managed endowment funds.

Willman was first drawn to the development profession when she served as the Orchestra Representative on the Board of Directors of the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra in her native state of North Dakota. She earned her BS Degree in Music Education with a Minor in Secondary Education from the University of Mary and performs regularly as a percussionist and timpanist with the Frederick (MD) Symphony Orchestra.

CATF’s Founder and Producing Director, Ed Herendeen, said he is looking forward to working with such an accomplished and innovative development professional that has already forged alliances with many people throughout the region.

Associate Producer Peggy McKowen remarked that, “Vicki’s been a fan of the Festival for some time. She is quite passionate about our commitment to producing the best in Contemporary American theater and we’re excited to see what she will accomplish.”