Marjorie Beale Takes the Helm as LBO's New Board President in 2023
We're thrilled to introduce Marjorie Beale as the new President of Long Beach Opera's Board of Directors, effective June 28, 2023! This significant appointment signals the dawn of a fresh era in LBO's rich 44-year history. With Beale steering the ship, we're setting our sights on a period of expansion, community engagement, and artistic brilliance.
Beale's role commences with a strong emphasis on organization-wide capacity building and strategic planning, perfectly timed as we gear up for our upcoming season announcement and uphold our commitments to artistic residencies and groundbreaking art initiatives. Following unanimous approval from the Board of Directors, Beale succeeds Dr. Robert N. Braun, whose impactful leadership spanned pivotal moments, from the Pulitzer Prize-winning premiere of The Central Park Five to navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and overseeing the successful world premiere of The Romance of the Rose earlier this year.
Marjorie Beale rejoined LBO's Board of Directors in December 2021, having previously served from 1997-2003. Her unwavering support for the arts and her deep-rooted connection to LBO's history make her the perfect leader during the tenures of Michael Milenski, Andreas Mitisek, and our current joint leadership of Jennifer Rivera, James Darrah, and Christopher Rountree. Beale's proven track record as a successful fundraiser will fortify LBO as we navigate this next phase of growth and change, emerging from the pandemic with renewed leadership and a keen eye on our 50th anniversary in 2029. Notably, this appointment also signifies a historic moment in our company's journey, as it marks the first time that our organization will be co-led by two women, heralding an exciting era of leadership.
Jennifer Rivera, General Director & Chief Executive Officer
“Marjorie is a fantastic person to lead LBO into its next chapter. She fully understands the inner workings of non-profit management, which will be a critical skill at a time when all organizations are assessing their futures in this post-pandemic landscape.”
— Jennifer Rivera, General Director & Chief Executive Officer
LBO Board President Marjorie Beale
“I’m delighted to take up the role of Board President at this moment — Long Beach Opera is poised to make operatic history as we explore new venues, new performers, and new genres thanks to an exceptional partnership between our Artistic Director & CCO, James Darrah, and our Music Director, Christopher Rountree. I also look forward to collaborating with our General Director & CEO, Jennifer Rivera, to build on our recent successes and launch LBO into a period of sustained growth. ”
— Marjorie Beale, Board President
Get To Know Marjorie Beale
With a knack for working with innovators across diverse fields, from tech to the arts, she's a force to be reckoned with. Her academic journey took her through MIT, Harvard, the Institut d’Etudes Politiques, and UC Berkeley, where she earned her doctoral degree in 1990.
Orange County born and bred, Marjorie found her calling at UC Irvine in 1991, where she delved into European intellectual history and critical theory. But the early 2000s brought a change, steering her towards a dynamic career in higher education fundraising. She made waves at UC Irvine, led USC's campaign team briefly, and orchestrated Caltech's principal giving program during their groundbreaking $2.5 billion BreakThrough campaign.
Now, as an independent consultant, she lends her expertise to institutions like the University of Texas at Austin and various California nonprofits. Beyond her professional prowess, Marjorie is a connoisseur of all things avant-garde and daring. She's been a part of Long Beach Opera’s Board of Directors and currently serves on the Board of Governors for the Ojai Music Festival.
When she's not changing the fundraising game, you'll find her immersed in yoga and Vedic chant, savoring contemporary fiction, whipping up gourmet delights, and exploring the world's finest wines. The Hollywood Hills are her home, shared with her husband Bill Meyerhoff, and you'll often spot her at the LA Phil, LA Opera, Wild Up, and Monday Evening Concerts, indulging in the magic of contemporary music, opera, jazz, and timeless symphonies.
