We’re thrilled to introduce Barbara, our Vice President of Growth for North America.
We sat down with her to find out more about them and why they want to contribute to the arts and culture sector.
Hi Barbara! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you did before joining CultureSuite?
I’ve spent more than 25 years working in the arts and culture sector, mostly in roles focused on growth, fundraising, and partnerships. For more than eight years, I held a variety of roles with the Tessitura Network, including sales, marketing, consulting, and client relations. Before and after my time at Tessitura, I led fundraising teams at The Florida Orchestra, Ruth Eckerd Hall, and American Stage, and also served as Executive Director of The Studio@620. Most recently, I worked in business development at Adage Technologies.
Alongside my professional work supporting arts and culture organisations, I’ve also occasionally been a performer myself, singing and playing guitar with a band.
What enticed you to join CultureSuite?
What drew me to CultureSuite was their innovative approach, sustainable business model, and the leadership team I’ve known and respected for years. It also offered me the opportunity to continue growing professionally within the industry I know and love, which made the decision feel like a natural next step.
What’s your earliest experience of arts and culture? And how did it influence who you are today?
My parents were Broadway subscribers at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, and when I was about eight years old, my dad took me to see the stage version of Singin’ in the Rain. Through the magic of theatre, it actually rained on stage, and I was completely transfixed! I’m still not quite sure how they made that happen night after night.
I still experience live performances with that same sense of wonder. Whether I’m running around backstage, sitting in the audience, or performing on stage myself, I never get tired of the shared experience of the arts. And the people who make the arts happen tend to be interesting, creative, imaginative, and deeply engaged in the world around us — that’s my kind of crowd!
How would you like to help the sector in your new role?
I aim to help arts and culture organisations use digital tools to engage audiences, increase revenue, and build a sustainable future. CultureSuite’s model and pricing are designed for flexibility and long-term value, which allows companies to focus on their mission instead of costly rebuilds and ongoing maintenance. My role is to help organisations navigate that shift and build digital experiences that support their goals now and into the future.
What do you enjoy doing outside of your role at CultureSuite?
Outside of work, I spend a lot of time with my family. My teenagers are both active in sports, and although I have no background in athletics, I try to be as supportive of them as I can. We enjoy spending time outdoors as a family in the Florida sunshine. I also love staying connected to arts and culture on a personal level through travel, attending shows, singing, and playing guitar.
What is the most interesting (be that cool, random or otherwise!) thing that’s ever happened to you?
I’m not sure it’s one of the coolest things to have happened to me, but something I genuinely look forward to every year is performing with the Tessiturians rock band. I joined the band in 2008 (the second year it existed) for a performance at the Wildhorse Saloon in my hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. That night was also when I met my longtime friend, colleague, and mentor, Jack Rubin.
Since then, I’ve been part of Tessiturians performances at venues like the Hard Rock Cafe in Orlando, the USS Midway in San Diego, overlooking the Ferris wheel at National Harbor in Maryland, and many others. As I tell new band members every year, Tessitura Conference attendees are truly the most enthusiastic and supportive audience you could ask for—and it’s always a great time.
Interested in joining the CultureSuite team? Check our careers page to see what openings we currently have.
