The Foundation for the Performing Arts Center, which is the organization responsible for raising private funds to support our magnificent Performing Arts Center, recently announced the appointment of Heather Cochrane as its new executive director. 

After an extensive review of applications and a tailored and collaborative interview process, in-person interviews were conducted and Cochrane was ultimately selected to head up the Foundation.  

“We are excited about working with Heather.," said Jeanne Potter, the foundation’s board president. "She brings genuine warmth and professionalism that will bring new excitement to the Foundation’s mission of growing friendships and funding for the Performing Arts Center." 

Cochrane is expected to start work the first week of September 2011. She comes to the Foundation from Wilton, NH, where she served as the director of development and alumni relations of High Mowing School, an independent private school in New Hampshire, which is reputed as one of the best boarding high schools for students throughout New England. 

During her tenure, she implemented a comprehensive development program that succeeded in more than doubling annual income from charitable gifts. Her achievements include securing a six-figure matching challenge grant from a foundation and raising the match. She also more than doubled alumni participation, achieved first-time 100 percent board and faculty giving and increased parent participation by 30 percent.  

Cochrane and her husband have two children and are looking forward to making our community their permanent home. Her past 15 years of work on behalf of nonprofits and the breadth of her fundraising, events, management, financial management, communications and marketing experience, will make her successful in building community partnerships and pursuing the goals of the foundation, the organization said.

The foundation was established in 1986 to support its partners, the city of San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly State University, by raising private funds to construct the Performing Arts Center, San Luis Obispo, which opened its doors in 1996. 

The foundation continues its essential role as the private sector source of funding for the center. Each year thousands of generous individuals and local businesses make contributions to the foundation to secure the Center’s operations, and its bright future. 

The invaluable gifts underwrite rental fees for local nonprofits, keep the center in “as-new” condition, and make the arts accessible to our entire community. 

More information can be found at www.pacslo.org/fpac/.