THUNDER BAY – The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra are pleased to welcome their new Development Manager, Kelly Rooney. Ms. Rooney is responsible for all aspects of fundraising for the TBSO including corporate sponsorships, individual giving and foundations. Ms. Rooney was born and raised in Thunder Bay and lived here until she finished college, graduating from Confederation College’s Arts Administration program. After graduation, Ms. Rooney spent the last 20 year’s travelling the world, working and volunteering with a variety of organizations. “I’m happy to be back in my hometown, surrounded by family, and working in the arts again”, says Ms. Rooney.
Ms. Rooney worked in marketing positions with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, The National Ballet, and Feld Ballets New York, and worked in combined marketing and fundraising positions at the Humane Society and Habitat for Humanity in Winnipeg, before departing for Botswana in southern Africa. In Africa, Ms. Rooney did the marketing and fundraising for a women’s economic empowerment project through an environmental group, and was the Executive Director for the Cancer Association of Botswana for 3 years. She recently completed a year of fundraising for orphans and vulnerable children to be able to attend a world-class international school, Maru-a-Pula School.
“The TBSO is a well-established organization that recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary. There is a buzz in the air with the new musical direction and general management, I am excited by the opportunities for growth for the TBSO” says Ms. Rooney.
There must be something special in Thunder Bay. The Emerging Thunder Bay seems to be re-attracting many of the people who grew up here to return home to the city.