Suzanne Killen

About Suzanne Killen

With a passion for philanthropy, people, and building lasting donor relationships, I have dedicated my career to philanthropic endeavors in higher education, and the not-for-profit and arts industry. I spent a number of years working in the field of development for top universities, including University of North Texas, Indiana University Foundation, Butler University, and Ball State University. In addition, I have served as Director of Development for two children’s homes. In those positions I was responsible for major gift fundraising, planned giving, campaign management, public outreach, special events, volunteer management, and donor stewardship. A native of Indianapolis, I majored in harp at DePauw University and graduated with a degree in Applied Music. As a student there, I won the Concerto Competition with my performance of the “Concerto for Flute and Harp” by Mozart and was awarded successive scholarships to Bay View Summer Conservatory in Petoskey, Michigan. While living in Texas, I established the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of the American Harp Society and served as its organizing president. Also, I served on the board of directors for the Lemonade Opera Company, South Texas Symphony Association and the McAllen Opera Guild. Featured regularly at the McAllen Country Club and The Club at Cimarron, I enjoyed playing for many wedding ceremonies, private gatherings, church and political functions. Over the years I have given instructions to would be harpists and lent my talent to giving demonstrations at public schools, hospitals and retirement homes, providing education as well as entertainment. Early in my career, I served as a volunteer on the board of directors for the Rio Grande Valley International Music Festival, and subsequently, became their first Managing Director. During this time, I planned and managed the scheduling of concerts for school children, classical and pops community concerts, and opera performances. A highlight of my time in Texas was spearheading the highly successful BorderFest in Hidalgo, Texas and working with the McAllen, Hidalgo, and Pharr Chambers of Commerce.I hold a Master of Library Science with a focus on children’s services in a public library from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas and I held the credential of Certified Fund Raising Executive from CFRE International from 2003 – 2018.Gallup Strengths Finder Themes: Connectedness | Learner | Individualization | Achiever | Responsibility

Experience

1. Leadership Development Officer

   Indianapolis Opera

   Jan 2026 — Present

Education

• Southern Methodist University

  Institute for Organizational Management, Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management

• Texas Woman's University

  Master of Library Science, Children and Youth Library Services

  1996

• Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

  Certificate in Fund Raising Management, Philanthropy

• McAllen Chamber of Commerce

  Leadership McAllen, Class VI

• University of Illinois Springfield

  Sangamon Institute in Arts Administration, Arts Administration

• DePauw University

  Bachelor of Music, Harp

  1976

Skills

• Endowments
• Fundraisers
• Board Relations
• Bequests
• Editing
• Annual Giving
• Endowment Funds
• Newsletters
• Grant Writing
• Event Management
• Non-Profit Administration
• Board Development
• Major Gift Cultivation
• Public Speaking
• Public Relations
• Philanthropy
• Stewardship
• Major Gift Campaigns
• Major Gift Solicitations
• Non-Profits
• Volunteer Management
• Grants
• Fundraising
• Planned Giving
• Special Events Development
• Prospect Research
• Major Gift Development
• Event Planning
• Cfre
• Nonprofits
• Special Events
• Non-Profit Board Development