Profile

David Schmitz

Amplify Leadership Advisors

Contact Details

Amplify Leadership Advisors

Bio

David Schmitz became OSF’s fourth Executive Director in September 2020. David worked at Steppenwolf Theatre Company for 15 years, serving as Director of Finance and Administration, General Manager, Managing Director, and Executive Director. At Steppenwolf, Schmitz led a staff of 200 full- and part-time people, and was responsible at the executive level for strategy and execution of all fundraising, marketing, and business-related activities. His work ensured the world-famous ensemble had the resources and institutional support to achieve their creative ambitions in the present and the future. Prior to working at Steppenwolf, Schmitz was the General Manager at Lookingglass Theatre Company, Associate Artistic Director of Stage Left Theatre, and Business Manager at the entertainment agency Adair Performance. Currently he serves as a board member of the Theatre Communications Group, Arts Alliance Illinois, and the League of Chicago Theatres, and is the former Vice President of the Board for The House Theatre of Chicago and former board member for the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce. Schmitz is a founding member of Enrich Chicago, a cohort of arts organizations working to end racism in Chicago arts. He has worked as a strategic planning, business practices, finance, and hiring consultant for numerous Chicago organizations, including The House Theatre of Chicago, The Hypocrites, and Stage Left Theatre, among others. He holds a BA in Theatre from the University of Northern Colorado, an MFA from the Theatre Conservatory at the Chicago College of Performing Arts, Roosevelt University, a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from Roosevelt University, and completed the Chicago Management Institute, an executive education program through the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business.