About Jude Bedel

Jude Bedel is a seasoned non-profit management professional and a passionate advocate for social justice in the arts, with over two decades of experience in development and fundraising. Trained as an opera singer and violinist, her artistic background has profoundly enriched her professional life and inspired her commitment to promoting equity within the classical music industry and beyond.

Her professional fundraising journey began in the early 2000s at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Washington National Opera in Washington, DC, under the leadership of Plácido Domingo. Here, she honed her expertise in major gift solicitation, annual fund management, planned giving, and event planning. These foundational years shaped her understanding of the arts sector and its disparities. After her tenure in Washington, DC, Jude transitioned to the Arizona Opera, where, in 2010, leading a significant organizational turnaround and capital campaign for the new Opera Center.

She continued to build her career at the New England Conservatory in Boston, where she maximized leadership giving and steered the donor relations program. Her work advanced the Conservatory's fundraising efforts and deepened her resolve to address inequities in the arts. During her time at the Boston Children’s Chorus as the Director of Development, Jude's focus shifted toward social justice, spurred by the global pandemic. Her leadership was instrumental during this crisis period, where she implemented development strategies that preserved all staff positions and maintained the organization's financial health.

Motivated by the challenges faced by social sector and arts organizations during the pandemic, Jude founded her consulting studio in 2020. The studio was designed to mitigate potential closures and widespread layoffs, providing strategic guidance to both large and small organizations aiming to navigate the tumultuous economic conditions effectively. This venture marked a significant chapter in her career, emphasizing her dedication to sustaining charitable organizations through innovative and equitable fundraising solutions.

Her consulting work includes substantial impacts through roles with various organizations such as Steam Coders, where she facilitated the provision of tech resources to underserved children during lockdowns, and the Compton Conservatory, helping it to reopen and continue its mission. Her consulting efforts extend to numerous other entities, including Senior Legal Services, Emmanuel Music, and the Children's Chorus of Washington, all reflecting her commitment to enhancing organizational capacities and championing equity through strategic development initiatives.

Jude Bedel's career is distinguished by her strategic insight, profound arts advocacy, and unwavering commitment to fostering inclusivity and equality within the classical music sphere and beyond. She continues to mentor the next generation of fundraisers, ensuring that her knowledge and passion for social justice inspire enduring change.