Nissa N. Copemann has been selected as the director of the Reichhold Center for the
Arts at the University of the Virgin Islands. Copemann will be responsible for setting
and implementing the Center's aggressive short- and long-term strategic goals. Her
duties include fundraising, financial management, programming, marketing, education,
facility operations, ticketing, and community and campus relations.
After a nation-wide search, Copemann, a native Virgin Islander, was selected based
on her extensive experience in fundraising, strategic planning, budget management,
community outreach, and life-long engagement with the arts. Copemann comes to UVI
from Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), a non-profit organization in Washington, D.C.,
founded by actress Angelina Jolie. Copemann served as the development director at
KIND and was responsible for cultivating stakeholders, developing special events,
and managing relationships with major corporations and foundations. Before joining
KIND, Copemann served as the vice president of Program and Development at the T. Howard
Foundation in Washington, D.C., where she built partnerships with media giants such
as Comcast, HBO, Discovery, Disney, Time Warner, Viacom and Turner.
"We are so very delighted to have recruited Ms. Copemann back to the Virgin Islands
to lead the Reichhold Center for the Arts - UVI's crown jewel," said Dionne V. Jackson,
UVI's vice president for Institutional Advancement. "She possesses the energy and
technical skills needed to transform Reichhold Center into a stronger, more dynamic,
creative destination. Ms. Copemann also has a sound understanding of VI culture, a
passion to serve, and is ready to get to work for our community."
Copemann, who spent more than 20 years in the Washington, D.C. area, is excited to
return to the Virgin Islands as Reichhold Center's director. "As a native Virgin Islander,
I am filled with both excitement and gratitude for this opportunity to guide the Reichhold
Center as it forges ahead into the 21st century," Copemann said. "Me being here is
not just to serve the Reichhold Center, but to serve the community because this is
the community's center," Copemann added. "I really wanted to do work that means something
for me, and nothing means more to me than my home," Copemann said. "I hold this position
in sacred trust."
Among Copemann's main goals are to diversify Reichhold Center's earned and contributed
revenues, build Reichhold Center's roster of A-list performers, and showcase local
talent at the performances. She encourages everyone to purchase tickets for Reichhold's
2012-2013 Season and to expect to be impressed by the 35th anniversary line up for
the 2013-2014 Season.
Copemann holds a Juris Doctor from George Washington University and a Bachelor of
Arts in Philosophy, Political Science and Economics from Denison University. Her appointment
at UVI began on Oct. 22. Copemann may be contacted at (340) 693-1550 or nissa.copemann@live.uvi.edu.
