Sophia Ahmad Email Address

Fellow, Arts Journalism Institute in Classical Music and Opera

The Des Moines Symphony is a not-for-profit, full-service professional orchestra formed in 1937 to enrich, educate and entertain the community by performing great orchestral music. The Symphony Association, governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees and operating on an annual budget of more than $2.4 million, supports the Symphony Academy of Music and its numerous education programs including three youth orchestras, and supports the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra which performs seven pairs of Masterworks concerts, the traditional pops performance on New Year's Eve, education, outreach and family concerts, and other special events in its home at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines. The Des Moines Symphony also produces and performs the annual Yankee Doodle Pops concert in July on the grounds of the Iowa State Capitol, which this year attracted more than 100,000, the largest single day attendance of any concert event in the State.

Exceptional executive leadership and performance in strategic partnerships, philanthropy, marketing, external relations and relationship-building. Consummate professionalism in winning team and community support and positioning organizations for success in record-breaking, sustained increased revenue and mission awareness. Pioneering, motivational and innovative visionary driven to exceed goals and facilitate growth through collaborative, effective data-driven strategies that consistently communicate and deliver ROI to key stakeholders, volunteers and investors. Accomplished professional public speaker, media personality and national award-winning leader in management, fundraising, public relations and communications.