As COMPAS continues to implement the findings of its recently-completed Program Assessment, we want to share with you staff changes that became effective on July 1.

Veteran COMPAS staff member, Lynne Beck, began her new position as Senior Grant Writer July 1, combining her two passions: education and supporting the arts through COMPAS.

Over the past 18 years, Lynne participated in new and formative COMPAS initiatives. Her accomplishments include forging relationships with local, regional and national corporate and foundation supporters. In her new role, Lynne will focus on sustaining the long-term relationships COMPAS has with these funders, connecting communities, cultures and artists together. She will also spend more time enjoying and volunteering for other organizations she loves, including the Minnesota Opera, James Sewell Ballet and The Schubert Club.

We are pleased to welcome Joan Linck as our new Marketing & Development Manager.

Although Joan tries to hide the fact that she is a nerd at heart, we know she enjoyed her first career as a programmer, in technical sales, and as VP of Marketing and later as VP of Business Development for various technology companies. A career change brought her into the nonprofit world where she has both founded a nonprofit and worked with many existing organizations to help them further their missions through grant writing, marketing, events, and management. Joan loves the creative energy that flows from students, so teaches creative writing to youth at The Loft Literary Center, writes for youth (she has a number of elementary-level books in libraries and has had six plays produced) and works with a middle school theater company. For the past two years, Joan has been our Marketing & Development Consultant. Joan has a B.A. in philosophy from Wellesley College and an M.S. in computer science from the University of Minnesota.

Dan Adolphson, who was Director of Program Engagement, will now be External Relations Director.

Dan’s enthusiasm for keeping his finger on the pulse of the arts community will continue to be a great asset to COMPAS as he manages all external grant programs, the COMPAS website and IT systems, and will work closely with Joan on specific marketing and development projects. He will also work with COMPAS roster artists to help augment their marketing presence on the COMPAS website.

Finally, we extend our deep gratitude to Nancy Fushan, who for the past three years has served in a consultant role as our Grants Allocations Director, and was the other primary consultant for the COMPAS Program Assessment.

During her time here, Nancy helped COMPAS streamline our grantmaking processes and helped us take a deep look at who COMPAS is and where we need to be in this time of continued change in the Minnesota arts landscape.