HOUSTON – December 6, 2023 – The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts today announced that Lise Bohn has joined the organization in the newly created role of Vice President of Advancement. Bohn brings more than 20 years of nonprofit management experience to this position, where she will provide leadership for fundraising, marketing and communications.
Bohn joins the Hobby Center team following 22 years in various roles across revenue-generating functions at Stages, one of Houston’s most respected nonprofit theaters. She most recently served as Development Director, where she grew philanthropic support substantially during her tenure. Prior to that, she led the marketing and communications strategy and execution for the organization. Before joining Stages, Bohn worked at Houston Grand Opera and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
“Lise is an accomplished leader who has a strong track record of building authentic, impactful relationships for arts organizations with audiences and donors. She has been a driver of Stages’ growth, dedicating more than two decades of service to one of Houston’s leading theater producers,” said Mark Folkes, President and CEO, Hobby Center. “We are excited to welcome her to the Hobby Center team during this important period of growth and transformation for our organization as we expand our scope and impact in artistic and educational programming. Lise will be an important leader driving new awareness of the Hobby Center’s work in Houston’s dynamic performing arts ecosystem.”
“I’m thrilled and honored to be joining the Hobby Center team as the organization’s first Vice President of Advancement,” said Bohn. “The arts are a vital part of Houston’s identity, and they reflect the energy and diversity of the city itself. The Hobby Center truly embodies that dynamism, and that makes this role a dream come true for me. I’m inspired by the chance to grow the Hobby Center’s impact across the Houston arts ecosystem and help create new connections and opportunities for artmakers and audiences.”
As the Hobby Center continues to deepen its role in strengthening Houston’s diverse performing arts network, Bohn will evolve the development, marketing and communications functions to support expanded programming and streamline key touchpoints for ticket buyers, subscribers and donors alike. Bohn will also lead the charge in stewarding established relationships and building new ones across audiences and the philanthropic community. Her broad functional experience, combined with her passion for the Hobby Center’s mission to serve as a connector, convenor and incubator for all Houston audiences, artmakers and arts organizations, will amplify the Hobby Center’s impact in Houston and beyond.
Headshot available here.
The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts serves as a connector, convenor and incubator for all Houston audiences, artmakers and arts organizations. Opened in 2002, the campus houses two theaters including the 2,650-seat Sarofim Hall and the 500-seat Zilkha Hall. Delivering a best-in-class patron experience, the Hobby Center welcomes over 400,000 audience members annually to engage with high-quality arts programming including the Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center series. The Hobby Center is also home to a full season of musical theatre produced by Principal Resident Company Theatre Under the Stars, as well as a variety of diverse performances from both Houston-based and touring artists and companies. Education and accessibility initiatives are central to the Hobby Center’s impact in Houston through programs like the ExxonMobil Discovery Series that welcomes thousands of students to performances every season. Please visit TheHobbyCenter.org. Follow the Hobby Center on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.