Deborah Lackey Named Director Of Development At Alley Theatre

The Alley Theatre and Managing Director Dean Gladden announced today the appointment of Deborah Lackey as the new Director of Development. Lackey most recently served as the Chief Advancement Officer for the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston and has more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising management with cultural, healthcare, education, and social service organizations. She assumes one of two leadership positions at the Alley along with the recent appointment of Artistic Director Rob Melrose.

"I eagerly anticipate joining the award-winning Alley Theatre during this exciting time of transition. I've experienced multiple facets of Houston culture throughout my career, and I look forward to contributing to the vibrant performing arts scene, which is so important to our city," said Lackey.

Lackey will be responsible for leading a staff of development professionals in a coordinated effort to raise contributed revenue and be principally responsible for articulating, planning, and overseeing the implementation of a strategic direction for the development department while playing a critical role in developing prospect cultivation and solicitation strategies.

She has held positions as Associate Vice President with Memorial Hermann Foundation, Vice President of Advancement at the Houston Zoo, Executive Director of Lone Star Community College Foundation, and Director of Development at the March of Dimes among others.

Lackey is a graduate of Marquette University. She has been a Certified Fundraising Executive since 2003 and a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) since 1992. She has served on the AFP board twice, is a past president of the 600-member chapter and chaired the 2015 Ask the Experts conference at Rice University. Lackey has chaired a number of AFP committees: special events, education, membership, public relations, diversity, and scholarship, Be the Cause, and Ask the Experts. She has also served in a variety of leadership roles including president-elect, past chapter secretary, assistant treasurer, and course instructor.

In addition to her professional volunteer activities, Lackey has served on nonprofit boards in various capacities including President of the American Business Women's Association in Houston, President of the St. Cecilia Catholic School Board, Chair of the St. Cecelia Catholic Church Development Committee, Goal Manager of Marquette University's National Alumni Board, Board Member of the Houston Better Business Bureau (BBB), Chair of the BBB Education Foundation, and served on the Executive Committee of the Downtown YMCA.

Lackey begins her role as Director of Development on January 2, 2019.

The Alley Theatre, one of America's leading nonprofit theatres, is a nationally recognized performing arts company led by Interim Artistic Director, James Black and Managing Director, Dean R. Gladden. Rob Melrose will serve as the Alley's Artistic Director for the 2019-20 Season and beyond. The Alley produces up to 16 plays each year in its newly renovated Theatre, ranging from the best current work to re-invigorated classic plays, to new plays by contemporary writers. The Alley is home to a resident company of actors. In addition, the Alley engages theatre artists of every discipline - actors, designers, composers, playwrights - who work on individual productions throughout each season as visiting artists.

The recent renovation of the Alley's Hubbard Theatre created a new 774-seat state-of-the-art performance venue. Matched with the newly rebuilt 296-seat Neuhaus Theatre, the Alley offers nearly 500 performances each season. The Company reaches over 200,000 people each year through its performance and education programs. Its audience enrichment programs include pre-show and post-performance talks, events, and workshops for audience members of all ages.

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