Karen Gahl-Mills

During her two decades in arts administration, Karen Gahl-Mills has been widely recognized for her innovative perspective on the role that arts institutions can play in building vibrant communities. A proven communicator and strategic planner, she has built a reputation for a stellar combination of leadership, artistic vision, and financial responsibility.

Ms. Gahl-Mills was named executive director of Cuyahoga Arts & Culture in November, 2009. She takes the reins of CAC at a critical time for an organization that, in fewer than three years, has become one of the nation's top five sources of local public funding for arts and culture. To date, 145 Cuyahoga County organizations have been awarded CAC grants worth a combined total of more than $33.5 million.

Most recently, she served as president and executive director of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, the largest cultural organization in Central New York. With a $7.5 million annual budget and a 39-week season, the orchestra reaches over 225,000 people through nearly 200 full-orchestra and ensemble concerts that take place in 18 counties throughout the state.

Ms. Gahl-Mills launched her career in arts management in 1990 in Los Angeles, where she worked for an award-winning cinematographer as part of a team creating national and international advertising for Philip Morris, Coca-Cola, McDonald's, General Motors, and other global brands. Her work soon led her to Chicago and back to her roots as a musician, first as a development officer for the celebrated Ravinia Festival, summer home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and then as Managing Director of The Rhythm Cafe, an award-winning advertising music production company. Prior to her arrival in Syracuse in 2006, Ms. Gahl-Mills was the executive director of the Westchester Philharmonic in suburban New York City, Westchester County's only professional symphony orchestra.

Ms. Gahl-Mills holds a Bachelor of Music degree from DePaul University and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. A vocalist and former cellist, she currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio with her husband, Laurence Mills-Gahl, a software developer and trombonist.