Good News from CIM
Cleveland Institute of Music Names Peter Hussell as Chief Development Officer
CLEVELAND, September 10, 2020 – The Cleveland Institute of Music named Peter Hussell as its new Chief Development Officer, effective September 1, after serving as Interim Director of Development for the past six months. The five-month international search was conducted by John Sparrow of BoardWalk Consulting.

Hussell, who was most recently the Vice President, Development for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, will lead CIM’s fundraising operation, which includes conducting the annual fund campaign, advancing the Governing Members program for donors of $2,500+, cultivating leadership gifts, supporting the endowment campaign, empowering volunteer leadership in fundraising and engaging alumni. He leads a team of advancement professionals focused on sustaining support for CIM’s mission to empower the world’s most talented classical music students to fulfill their dreams and potential and he will serve on the President’s Council, CIM’s senior management team.
 
CIM President & CEO Paul W. Hogle says: “During Peter’s time with CIM as a consultant, he rallied our annual fund efforts and helped us engage with our supporters to reach a best-ever result, in a particularly precarious environment due to the pandemic. His creativity, his experience and his ability to propel projects forward made him the clear choice for the permanent position. We are thrilled to introduce him to the CIM community and to Cleveland.”
 
“From the moment I arrived at CIM, I’ve been inspired by the Institute’s vision to be the future of classical music. Investments in the students of today will be what shapes the field of classical music of tomorrow,” says Hussell. “Over the past six months, I’ve had the pleasure of working closely with a tremendous community of dedicated volunteers and donors, including Trustees, Governing Members and Partners for CIM (formerly known as the Women’s Committee). I really believe that together, we are prepared to launch CIM boldly into its second century.”
 
Peter R. G. Hussell
Peter Hussell is a seasoned fundraising professional, bringing many years of experience in the arts and culture sector.
 
Prior to joining CIM, Hussell served as Vice President, Development at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Under his management, the Orchestra development team raised more than $9 million annually, contributing to a $4 million reduction in debt, while also adding $3 million to the permanent endowment. During this time, Hussell and the senior leadership of the TSO supported the Board of Trustees in the appointment and introduction of a new CEO and new Music Director.
 
A career arts and culture fundraiser and manager, he has held roles at leading institutions in Canada and the United States, including the Canadian Opera Company, Sarasota Opera and the Toronto International Film Festival. Over the past 15 years, Hussell has contributed to teams raising over $100 million for operations, endowment and capital projects.
 
Hussell studied at the University of Waterloo in Canada, specializing in Cultural Management and Fine Arts.
 
Cleveland Institute of Music
The Cleveland Institute of Music empowers the world’s most talented classical music students to fulfill their dreams and potential. Its graduates command the most celebrated and revered stages in the world as soloists, chamber musicians and ensemble members; compose meaningful, award-winning new repertoire; and are highly sought-after teaching artists, administrators and thought leaders. A testament to the excellence of a CIM education, more than half of the members of The Cleveland Orchestra are connected to CIM as members of the faculty, alumni or both. All students benefit from access to world-renowned visiting artists and conductors, intensive study with CIM’s stellar faculty and the rich curriculum offered by CIM’s partner Case Western Reserve University. Black and Latinx students comprise 13% of the school’s approximately 325 students. CIM is an integral part of Cleveland’s arts community, presenting nearly 600 free performances and master classes on campus each year, and hundreds more at locations throughout the region, including Severance Hall. Explore cim.edu to learn more.
 
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