The Merola Opera Program has announced the retirement of Executive Director Jean Kellogg on Jan. 1, 2024.

Kellogg started her tenure back in October 2011 and worked closely with two different artistic teams at the San Francisco Opera Center. Among her major achievements was overseeing the development of “If I Were You,” the Merola Opera Porgram’s first-ever opera commission. She was also instrumental in developing the Merola Artists Emergency Fund during the COVID-19 pandemic and expanding the diversity of the programming.

“Twelve years ago, Merola made the wise decision to hire our first-ever Executive Director to help solidify the future of the organization,” said Barbara Bruser Clark, Merola’s Immediate Past President, in an official press statement issued by the company. “We could not have been more fortunate to have Jean Kellogg step into this pivotal role. Under her leadership, Merola has risen to a new level in the opera world.”

She will remain as a part-time consultant until her successor is named.