Margaret Breed

Multiple ongoing projects: private event consultancy; freelance proofreading with clients including an investment firm; seasonal Audience Facilitator at the Brooklyn Academy of Music for production addressing racial inequities; poll work for the New York State Board of Elections.

As Director of Special Events, I strategized, planned, and executed the two signature events of the organization - the annual Benefit Gala and the annual Awards - as well as smaller donor events. I also provided support to the Artistic team for their annual month-long festival and other more intimate events with VIP artists throughout the year. The Gala and Awards accounted for $1M in gross cash revenue for The Drama League, or almost half of the entire organization's income. I was responsible for meeting that revenue goal in collaboration with the Development Director, board members, and other event leadership. The expense budgets for both events were my responsibility as well. As the sole staff member dedicated to the organization's special events, I oversaw all elements of all events. I secured honorees, worked with event sponsors, managed all event communications (digital and physical) with confirmed and prospective attendees, ran point for vendors, and coordinated event materials for both the Gala and Awards. For the Awards, I was also involved in the nomination process and managed all communications with the agents, publicists, and managers for 50 performance nominees and 40 or so production nominees, both Broadway and off-Broadway. For the Gala, I partnered with our Line Producer in putting together the program and production elements, maintaining a heavy hand in concept, flow, talent, and execution. To further boost our revenue, I was responsible for implementing usually two online auctions each year, from making asks to designing and writing prize text to facilitating redemption of every auction item. Day-to-day I helped supervise our Development Intern and Development Associate, but I mostly worked independently. I did oversee the staffing of our events, both with regular staff members and with a corps of approximately 40 volunteers at each event.

I led the Special Events team within the Development department at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). My primary responsibilities included oversight of the strategy and execution of more than 50 events per year, ranging from multiple gala events, opening night receptions with artistic companies, sponsor event activations, to intimate donor and prospect cultivation dinners and gatherings. I was responsible for a fund-raising goal of over $2M net revenue via gala events and other event-specific support, both cash and in-kind. I managed a complex departmental budget that included department operations as well as all individual event projects, and separate revenue and expense budgets for gala fundraisers. In my role I collaborated with fellow Development department heads to facilitate and maximize efficacy of our Special Events; additionally, I managed interdepartmental communications regarding projects with Production, General Management, Publicity, Artist Services, Education, Cinematek, Programming, Marketing, Design, and Building Operations. Outside of BAM, I interfaced frequently with high level donors, board members, sponsors, artists, and community leaders in addition to event vendors such as caterers, florists, photographers, venue managers, security firms, architects, lighting and sound services, transportation, and auction services. As the Director, I supervised a team of three full-time employees and one part-time employee. I reported to the Associate Vice President for Development Operations. I held the role of Director of Special Events starting in October 2012. Originally, I was hired as Special Events Coordinator in September 2008, and then promoted to Special Events Manager in June 2010.

As the Assistant for the Group & Event Sales department for Marketing at New York City Opera (NYCO), my responsibilities included maintenance of departmental ticket and sales reports, cultivation and prospecting of group buyers, helping create collateral for sales outreach for both groups and event buyers, and leading backstage tours. NYCO hired me as full-time Group & Event Sales Assistant in August 2007; prior to which I was a part-time Subscriptions Representative and part-time Account Executive starting in January 2007. In these capacities, I provided support to subscribers during performances, to help them manage their tickets and season plans and I operated telephone lines for group buyers, both to service existing buyers and introduce the programs to prospects. I was originally hired as an intern to the Group & Event Sales department in September through December 2006, during which time my projects included general research and data entry, and most notably the responsibility of organizing the department's vendor booth at the BizBash Event Expo. For the expo booth, I coordinated furnishings and rentals, insurance, booth logistics, marketing materials, and pre-tradeshow outreach as well as follow-up.

I taught beginner and intermediate Italian to high school students, grades 9 through 11, in class sizes ranging from 1 to 10 students. I was responsible for planning and structuring lessons that included conversational Italian as well as cultural context. The intermediate students' curriculum included preparation for the New York State Board of Regents exam. In addition to these primary teaching responsibilities, I substituted for other language teachers and assisted with extracurricular Tae Kwon Do instruction.

As a University Ambassador, I led campus tours for prospective students and their families, answering any questions about the university experience as well as sharing the university's rich history and traditions.

Modern History: European, 1500-present. Studied religious art history and 18th/19th century German history. Dissertation: "Henry Lloyd and the Militaries of 18th Century Europe." Italian: language, literature, culture. Studied medieval and modern texts, and translation theory. Wrote mini-thesis in Italian about architecture of San Zeno Maggiore in Verona. University Ambassador 2003-6: led campus tours for prospective students and their families. Italian Society: President 2005-6, treasurer 2004-5. Led meetings; planned member activities; managed cash-flow. Production supervisor for society's first-ever theater project, and secured cash and in-kind support for it. Collaborated with local businesses for a ticketed wine and cheese tasting course. Ball Committee for Hamilton Hall, 2004: helped plan annual event; designed and installed decor