Kimmel Center, Inc. Names Paul Tufano, Esq. Chair of Search Committee for KCI's President And CEO
September 1, 2006
Natalye Paquin
Kimmel Center, Inc. announced today the appointment of a Search Committee to find a replacement for outgoing President and Chief Executive Officer, Janice Price, who has served in this position since February 2002. Price is returning to her native Toronto to become chief executive officer of the Toronto Festival of Arts, Culture and Creativity, "Luminato."
The Board has formed a Search Committee which will begin the process of securing the services of a national executive search firm to help identify a strong slate of candidates in the coming months. Chaired by Paul Tufano, the Search Committee members are: George Burrell; Catherine R. Clifton; Harold A. Honickman; Lawrence J. Kent; Hon. Leslie Anne Miller; Hon. Marjorie O. Rendell; George M. Ross; and Carole P. Shanis.
"I am honored to have been asked by Bill Hankowsky to chair this committee," said Paul Tufano. "I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Board as we look to find the Kimmel Center’s next leader."
Kimmel Center, Inc. Board Chairman William P. Hankowsky also announced the appointment of Natalye Paquin as Acting President and COO, effective September 10, 2006. Natalye Paquin joined the Kimmel Center's leadership team in July 2006 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Ms. Paquin is currently responsible for operations and facilities, venue sales and client management, and marketing and communications.
"Janice Price has built a tremendous management team. Among them we are fortunate to have in our midst a respected leader in Natalye Paquin to help guide the Kimmel Center through this transition," said Kimmel Center Board Chairman William P. Hankowsky. "The accomplishments of Janice and her team in the recent year provide the foundation to continue the Kimmel Center's forward momentum and I know Natalye’s leadership skills are exactly what the Kimmel Center needs during this period."
"It's not easy for me to leave the Kimmel Center after all we have accomplished with our Board of Directors and staff, but I know the Kimmel Center is in excellent hands with Natalye Paquin as well our entire senior management team," said outgoing President and CEO Janice Price. "I have made great friends here in Philadelphia, on the staff on the board and throughout the community. To each and every one of them, I say 'Bravo' and thank you for your embrace of the Kimmel Center and its mission."
"I look forward to taking on this increased responsibility during this time of transition," said Ms. Paquin. "Janice Price has built a team of some of the finest arts professionals in the country and they have made excellent progress in establishing the Kimmel Center as the region's premiere performing arts institution. I will work closely with the Board and the Search Committee during the process of identifying the Kimmel Center's next leader. Ms. Paquin continued, "We are excited about the upcoming Kimmel Center Presents and Broadway programming during this special anniversary season. I know I will enjoy working with the entire Kimmel Center community including the staff and the resident companies as we celebrate the arts in Philadelphia."
The Kimmel Center
Kimmel Center, Inc. is a Philadelphia performing arts leader as a non-profit organization that owns, manages, supports and maintains the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts as well as the Academy of Music which is owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Academy of Music serve as the home to eight Resident Company performing arts organizations including The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, American Theatre Arts for Youth, PHILADANCO, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. Kimmel Center, Inc.'s mission also includes arts in education, community outreach and a rich diversity in programming through its Kimmel Center Presents and Cadillac Broadway at the Academy series of performances.
Natalye Paquin
Prior to joining the Kimmel Center, Natalye Paquin was the Chief Operating Officer of the School District of Philadelphia and oversaw a $400 million organization with over 4,700 employees. Reporting to Ms. Paquin at the school district were the departments of personnel, purchasing, information technology, school safety and facilities. Prior to joining the School District of Philadelphia in 2002, Ms. Paquin held several positions of increasing responsibility with the Chicago Public Schools. From 2001-2002, Ms. Paquin was Managing Deputy Commissioner for Transportation at the City of Chicago. She first entered the public sector as Regional Attorney with the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.
Ms. Paquin has been immersed in the artistic and community life of Philadelphia through her leadership and service on numerous boards and committees including the education committees of the Kimmel Center and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, the Philadelphia Boys Choir, and the Center for Emerging Visual Artists. She is also active with the Girl Scouts of South Eastern Pennsylvania, Project Home and City Year.
Natalye Paquin earned a Juris Doctor degree in 1986 from DePaul University, College of Law, and a Bachelor of Science degree in 1981 from Florida A&M University.
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