Estlin Usher

Managing Director, Member Services @Advisory Board For The Arts

Chicago, IL, US

Manage a portfolio of 25+ arts and cultural organizations (Museums, Theatres, Performing Arts Centers, Opera companies, etc.) across the United States, advising on audience, fundraising, staff management, strategic growth, and financial sustainability, with a 92% client retention rate representing over $1.2m in contracted revenue. Create and execute short-term tactical sprint plans and long-term strategic goals with client organizations to achieve specific targets, fulfill strategic plan OKRs, grow revenue opportunities, and expand audience. Develop, project manage, and deploy custom data-driven research to meet client needs, including bespoke surveys to understand audience behavior, detailed landscape analysis on emerging trends, and collating best practices from in- and out-of-sector interviews. Present research findings to Executive Directors, General Managers, and other key stakeholders, reflecting on results and making impactful recommendations for implementation plans and KPI measurement. Lead quarterly peer networking groups around key departmental areas of HR/Staffing and Education/Community Engagement, interviewing guest speakers and leading topic-based conversations on key subject areas.

University of Chicago

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Music Composition, Philosophy