COC General Director Alexander Neef announced this week that Christie Darville, the company’s current Executive Director, Philanthropy & Audiences, will act as the COC’s Deputy General Director, effective immediately, until the close of the 2020/2021 season.

“Christie’s insights and planning have been critically important to our strategic review process, as well as the company’s larger positioning, institutional relationships and future outlook,” says Neef. “Formalizing the breadth of Christie’s portfolio in this fashion is a reflection of her contributions, as well as the important role she plays in the continued success and sustainabilityof the COC.”

Darville’s new title will be held in conjunction with her current role for the remainder of Neef’s tenure with the company. She will continue to provide critical operations leadership and strategic guidance during the transition period leading up to July 2021, at which point Neef begins his new appointment as General Director at the Opéra national de Paris.

In her current role, Darville oversees the COC’s Philanthropy & Audiences Department, a cross-disciplinary team designed to break down organizational silos between marketing, customer service, ticket sales, fundraising and stewardship in order to advance a more integrated approach to audience development and relationship-building. In this role, she not only manages all fundraising but also directs the company’s earned revenue through ticket and subscription sales.

ABOUT CHRISTIE DARVILLE

A well-established leader in Canada’s not-for-profit sector, Christie Darville has been with the COC for more than 10 years. During that time she has brought contributed revenue to record levels and spearheaded a number of significant projects, including the creation of the company’s annual Centre Stage Gala, a signature fundraiser in support of the COC’s Ensemble Studio training program for young artists. Previously, Ms. Darville served as Associate Director of Development, Faculty of Arts & Science with the University of Toronto. In her work with the university, she led the development and implementation of current and deferred major gift fundraising programs, overseeing all major gift activity, annual giving and research portfolios, as well as focused, unit-based development.

Photo: Christie Darville.