Michelle Higgins, MBA
Membership Director at Katz JCC- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Maya Karmely Sommer
Michelle makes things happen! During the four years in which she worked as the Cultural Director at the Consulate General of Israel in Chicago, Michelle was an important contributor to many of our projects and consistently delivered high-quality work. Michelle is a trustworthy and very organized person who meets and exceeds deadlines. She is excellent in working under pressure and never shies from a challenge. Michelle is capable of leading a project and working independently, and her ability to listen, understand and assist her colleagues makes her a great team player.
Maya Karmely Sommer
Michelle makes things happen! During the four years in which she worked as the Cultural Director at the Consulate General of Israel in Chicago, Michelle was an important contributor to many of our projects and consistently delivered high-quality work. Michelle is a trustworthy and very organized person who meets and exceeds deadlines. She is excellent in working under pressure and never shies from a challenge. Michelle is capable of leading a project and working independently, and her ability to listen, understand and assist her colleagues makes her a great team player.
Maya Karmely Sommer
Michelle makes things happen! During the four years in which she worked as the Cultural Director at the Consulate General of Israel in Chicago, Michelle was an important contributor to many of our projects and consistently delivered high-quality work. Michelle is a trustworthy and very organized person who meets and exceeds deadlines. She is excellent in working under pressure and never shies from a challenge. Michelle is capable of leading a project and working independently, and her ability to listen, understand and assist her colleagues makes her a great team player.
Maya Karmely Sommer
Michelle makes things happen! During the four years in which she worked as the Cultural Director at the Consulate General of Israel in Chicago, Michelle was an important contributor to many of our projects and consistently delivered high-quality work. Michelle is a trustworthy and very organized person who meets and exceeds deadlines. She is excellent in working under pressure and never shies from a challenge. Michelle is capable of leading a project and working independently, and her ability to listen, understand and assist her colleagues makes her a great team player.
Credentials
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Yoga Teacher Training, RYT 200-hour, Vinyasa
Yoga Alliance, YogawoodApr, 2016- Nov, 2024 -
Education Certificate; K-12 Music
Georgia and Illinois Professional Standards Commissions
Experience
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Katz JCC
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United States
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Community Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Membership Director
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Aug 2022 - Present
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SMU DataArts
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United States
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Research
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1 - 100 Employee
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Manager of Strategic Engagement
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Dec 2018 - Present
+ Operationalize strategies to deepen relationships with our national constituent groups of arts and cultural organizations, service and research organizations, and grantmakers. + Develop and oversee a national engagement strategy to connect our tools and resources with constituents, and be responsive to the needs of the arts field. + Measure engagement analytics of the DataArts technology platform and services and prioritize new strategies for meeting needs and increasing value for users.
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DataArts
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United States
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Non-profit Organization Management
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1 - 100 Employee
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Community Engagement Manager
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Jun 2016 - Dec 2018
+ Recruit, organize, and expand the work of regional groups of cultural sector stakeholders through the formation and stewardship of Cultural Data Networks. + Deepen field relationships and broaden the value and impact of diverse stakeholders by nurturing these Networks and connecting and aligning work across the cultural sector. + Recruit, organize, and expand the work of regional groups of cultural sector stakeholders through the formation and stewardship of Cultural Data Networks. + Deepen field relationships and broaden the value and impact of diverse stakeholders by nurturing these Networks and connecting and aligning work across the cultural sector.
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Consulate General of Israel
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Political Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Director of Cultural Affairs
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Nov 2011 - Nov 2015
+ Strengthen US-Israel relations and expand Israel's outreach in the 11-state, Midwestern region through intellectual exchange and cultural dialogue + Initiate and promote cultural programming that communicates the strength of Israeli arts and culture and the multicultural diversity within Israel, while understanding its role in overall public diplomacy; Created over 25 unique programs + Initiate and support Israeli events at museums, festivals, theaters, cultural centers, and college campuses; Established over 50 new partners supportive of Israeli programming + Utilize social media to communicate Israeli arts and culture to hundreds of contacts through a newsletter, Facebook, and Twitter; Created cultural newsletter, initiated funded Facebook campaigns
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Founder and Director
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Jan 2012 - Sep 2015
+ Design, fund, manage, and execute the first Israeli Jazz Festival in Chicago, a five-day celebration with six Israeli artists at six separate venues in Chicago, including the Green Mill and Chicago Cultural Center, and expand in subsequent two years + Expand in subsequent second and third years: secured and oversaw a 266% budget increase, four times the amount of sponsor funding, and twice the number of the performances. Introduced educational outreach program through four public school performances + Manage the press and marketing strategy. Expanded brand awareness and visibility through funded campaigns and media buys. Established and nurtured relationships with journalists + Negotiated artist fees with nine artists, eight venues, and 16 corporate and non-profit sponsors. Managed internal team of six employees in execution of outreach strategy and budgetary logistics
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South Forsyth High School
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United States
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Education Administration Programs
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1 - 100 Employee
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Associate Director of Bands
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2010 - 2011
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Education
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2019 - 2021
Southern Methodist University - Cox School of Business
Master of Business Administration - MBA -
2005 - 2009
The University of Georgia
Bachelor's of Music, Music Education and Music Performance
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