Brian Smith Elevated to New Role of Chief Advancement Officer

Smith will oversee the success of earned and contributed revenue

The Board of Directors of The Joffrey Ballet has announced the promotion of its former Chief Marketing Officer Brian Smith to the newly created role of Chief Advancement Officer, effective immediately. 

In his new role, Smith will oversee a newly integrated Advancement team that brings the Marketing and Development departments closer together, ensuring that earned and contributed revenue goals are consistently met or exceeded, while also supporting the Joffrey’s commitment to diversity, accessibility, and artistic excellence in performances and productions, training and education, and community engagement.

"Brian's leadership at the Joffrey, which began in 2011, has been grounded in integrity, accountability, transparency, and this past year, extra doses of resiliency and empathy. His commitment to authentic relationships and savvy storytelling has resulted in record box office and attendance numbers and an expanded local, national, and international reputation for the storied Joffrey Ballet. As our new chief storyteller, Joffrey is poised for continued growth and transformation," said Greg Cameron, President and CEO of The Joffrey Ballet.

Added Jason Tyler, Joffrey Director and past Board Chair and Chief Financial Officer, Northern Trust: "I have had the pleasure of working with Brian for more than ten years — seeing him develop as a leader with a willingness to always embrace new opportunities, to put mission front and center, and to lead with humility and positivity. The Northern Trust values our long-standing partnership with the Joffrey, and we look forward to deepening this relationship under Brian’s steady direction."

"Over the past year, the Joffrey team has shown an extraordinary commitment to the organization and each other," said Smith. "With the return of live performances upon us, our inaugural season at the Lyric beginning this fall, and the expansion of the Joffrey Academy and Joffrey Community Engagement at the studios of 1920 South Wabash, I am humbled by the opportunity to collaborate with my immensely talented colleagues under the umbrella of the newly formed Advancement team, a group united by our collective passion for The Joffrey Ballet and desire to see it surpass every expectation."