Edmonton Opera announces Sue Fitzsimmons as new Executive Director

Sue Fitzsimmons

For immediate release: June 20, 2022

EDMONTON OPERA ANNOUNCES SUE FITZSIMMONS AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Sue Fitzsimmons comes to the Edmonton Opera after serving as a Vice President at both the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and Medicine Hat College. She is a long-time Edmontonian who believes in the power of creativity and the arts to build and sustain community. Sue has a track record with over 15 years of senior leadership experience helping professional, leadership, and executive teams accomplish outcomes critical to their missions. For Edmonton Opera, that mission is to bring the community together through meaningful artistic experiences that celebrate our shared humanity–a mission that resonates deeply with Sue, given the challenges the world is facing.

Sue will work closely with the Opera’s Artistic Director, Joel Ivany, who welcomes her arrival saying: “We are lucky to have Sue join the team at such an important time. We will all benefit from her leadership, generosity and experience. She is going to be a difference maker.”

Sue’s early career began as a music educator. She taught music methods within the Faculty of Education at the University of Alberta and University of Winnipeg. She is an experienced choral singer, and plays piano well and guitar “rather poorly.” Sue holds a PhD from the University of Alberta.

In the summer, you’ll find Sue wandering through off-leash parks with her big black dog, paddleboarding on the North Saskatchewan River with her husband and daughter, or exploring Edmonton’s food scene by bicycle. In the winter, you’ll find her playing defense on a women’s ice hockey team, cross-country skiing in the mountains with her family, or making music with friends.

Sue is thrilled to join the team at Edmonton Opera!

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Media Availability

Interviews with Edmonton Opera’s Executive Director Sue Fitzsimmons are available. For inquiries or to schedule an interview, please contact Madison Kerr, Director of Marketing & Patron Services at (780) 940-6803 or madison.kerr@edmontonopera.com.