Nissa N. Copemann has been selected as the director of the
Reichhold Center for the Arts at the University of the Virgin
Islands. Copemann will be responsible for setting and implementing
the Center's aggressive short- and long-term strategic goals. Her
duties include fundraising, financial management, programming,
marketing, education, facility operations, ticketing, and community
and campus relations.
After a nation-wide search, Copemann, a native Virgin Islander,
was selected based on her extensive experience in fundraising,
strategic planning, budget management, community outreach, and
life-long engagement with the arts. Copemann comes to UVI from Kids
in Need of Defense (KIND), a non-profit organization in Washington,
D.C., founded by actress Angelina Jolie. Copemann served as the
development director at KIND and was responsible for cultivating
stakeholders, developing special events, and managing relationships
with major corporations and foundations. Before joining KIND,
Copemann served as the vice president of Program and Development at
the T. Howard Foundation in Washington, D.C., where she built
partnerships with media giants such as Comcast, HBO, Discovery,
Disney, Time Warner, Viacom and Turner.
"We are so very delighted to have recruited Ms. Copemann back to
the Virgin Islands to lead the Reichhold Center for the Arts -
UVI's crown jewel," said Dionne V. Jackson, UVI's vice president
for Institutional Advancement. "She possesses the energy and
technical skills needed to transform Reichhold Center into a
stronger, more dynamic, creative destination. Ms. Copemann also has
a sound understanding of VI culture, a passion to serve, and is
ready to get to work for our community."
Copemann, who spent more than 20 years in the Washington, D.C.
area, is excited to return to the Virgin Islands as Reichhold
Center's director. "As a native Virgin Islander, I am filled with
both excitement and gratitude for this opportunity to guide the
Reichhold Center as it forges ahead into the 21st century,"
Copemann said. "Me being here is not just to serve the Reichhold
Center, but to serve the community because this is the community's
center," Copemann added. "I really wanted to do work that means
something for me, and nothing means more to me than my home,"
Copemann said. "I hold this position in sacred trust."
Among Copemann's main goals are to diversify Reichhold Center's
earned and contributed revenues, build Reichhold Center's roster of
A-list performers, and showcase local talent at the performances.
She encourages everyone to purchase tickets for Reichhold's
2012-2013 Season and to expect to be impressed by the 35th
anniversary line up for the 2013-2014 Season.
Copemann holds a Juris Doctor from George Washington University and
a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Political Science and Economics
from Denison University. Her appointment at UVI began on Oct. 22.
Copemann may be contacted at (340) 693-1550 or nissa.copemann@live.uvi.edu.
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