Tech leader Nilab Hessabi has joined the Board of Trustees of Opera San José.

In a statement, Opera San José General Director/CEO Shawna Lucey said, “As a leader in the technology space and one who has had a passion for opera since she was young, Nilab Hessabi joins a fabulous and dedicated team of community leaders who want to see opera succeed now and in the future. Our staff, artists, and Board of Trustees are all looking forward to collaborating with Nilab as we continue Opera San José’s mission of elevating artists, creating a welcoming atmosphere for diverse audiences, and producing world-class operatic performances that reflect and celebrate our vibrant community.”

Hessabi currently serves as the head of data science, research and insights, human evaluation at the Apple headquarters in Cupertino in the Services Engineering division, overseeing functions including product analytics and insights, data and research science, and more for global teams in California, Washington, New York, Canada, the U.K., and Singapore.

Hessabi noted, “I truly believe that opera is for everyone. I have been passionate about the arts, and in particular, opera from an early age. It’s this passion that motivates me to bring opera to younger generations and broader, more diverse communities. Opera San José does a wonderful job in honoring the rich traditions and historical context of opera, while challenging conventions to create fresh meaningful experiences for its staff, artists, collaborators, current and future audiences, and I am eager to play a role in that continued work.”