Caramoor Announces Appointment of Interim CEO Nina Curley

Caramoor is delighted to announce the appointment of Nina Curley as Interim CEO. Curley, who joined the organization as VP and Chief Development Officer in 2012, replaces departing CEO Jeffrey Haydon, who takes up a new position as head of the Ravinia Festival in September.

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During this difficult time, when arts institutions face substantial challenges, Caramoor continues to push forward, remaining committed to presenting world-class music and supporting the artistic community. Guided by a strong leadership team and a dedicated Board and Advisory Council, Caramoor is well-positioned to face the challenges of the future. Completed early this year, its highly successful Inspire capital campaign raised more than $40 million, quadrupling Caramoor’s endowment and enabling major investments in its historic 90-acre estate. Caramoor also recently introduced new programming initiatives to diversify its offerings and broaden its audience. Curley takes the helm of Caramoor amidst a true artistic and economic renaissance. 

Nina Curley comments: 

“It is an honor to be part of such a wonderful organization as Caramoor, and I am grateful to the Board for this opportunity. I am excited to continue the momentum that Jeff Haydon so skillfully set in motion.” 

 

Caramoor Chairman James Attwood responds: 

“When Nina joined us almost nine years ago, we bonded over a shared vision of what Caramoor might accomplish. She has been a key architect of our recent success, and we look forward to a bright and exciting future with Nina at the helm. While we are sorry to see Jeff leave, we are excited for him as he embarks on his next adventure. On behalf of the Caramoor community, I want to thank Jeff for his eight years of leadership and dedication to Caramoor.” 

Nina Curley and the Leadership Team 

One of the keys to Caramoor’s recent success is its strong and cohesive leadership team, whose expertise spans a wide range of fields in the arts and nonprofit worlds. With each member contributing a different set of strengths and experiences, the team is united in its commitment to Caramoor’s ongoing growth and improvement. In such capable hands, the center’s future has never looked brighter. 

Since joining Caramoor as VP and Chief Development Officer in 2012, Nina Curley has overseen the organization’s individual giving, major gifts, special events, and Capital Campaign fundraising initiatives. She has worked with Caramoor’s CEO and Board of Trustees on board growth and governance, and has worked with her colleagues on the senior team to guide Caramoor’s overall strategic direction. She has more than a decade of experience as a lead fundraiser and nonprofit executive. Nina lives in South Salem, NY, with her husband and three sons. 

As Vice President, Artistic Programming & Executive Producer since 2016, Kathy Schuman oversees all aspects of Caramoor’s artistic program. She has refreshed and renewed Caramoor’s profile by continuing to present top-tier classical, jazz, American roots, and Broadway offerings, while broadening the program to include more works by living composers, including numerous world premieres, world music, and early music. She has introduced special outdoor programs that take advantage of Caramoor’s unique setting, and has continued to invest in its annual exhibition of sound art, besides overseeing its ongoing collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center and new collaboration with City Winery. Schuman brings a wealth of experience to Caramoor from her three decades working in the industry, for organizations including Carnegie Hall, Marlboro Music Festival, the Contemporary Music Network at the Arts Council of England, and London’s Intermusica Artist Management. 

With decades of experience in the fields of performing and visual arts marketing, Tahra Delfin serves as Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer. She brings to Caramoor her expertise as a strategist through past positions as the Director of Development and Marketing at the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and Senior Director of Strategic Marketing for the Blue Man Group, and as a change-agent during New York City’s post-9/11 economic recovery campaign and 2008 recession. She is also an adjunct professor at the Columbia Business School, where she serves as an educator and mentor for the next generation of arts marketers and administrators. 

As one of its longest-tenured staff members, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer Tammy Belanger has more than two decades of experience overseeing Caramoor’s financial administration, facilities management and human resources. Instrumental in establishing the foundation for Caramoor’s organizational systems and practices, her deep understanding of its legacy and institutional journey continues to play a crucial role as the organization honors and learns from its past while looking towards the future. 

Supporting Curley and the Caramoor leadership team is the Board of Trustees, led by Chairman James A. Attwood, Jr. Comprised of professionals with expertise in a variety of industries and locations, this invaluable “Board of Mentors” provides seasoned guidance and governance as well as essential resources to sustain Caramoor’s continued growth.