Llewellyn Crain has been appointed to the position of Chief Development Officer with San Diego Opera. She takes over for Peter Shavitz who held the position since 2019.

In her new role, Crain will work closely with the General Director David Bennett, and will be charged with developing the fundraising program so that it can support the company’s performances and community engagement programs.

Crain has been the Director of Philanthropy at The Globe since 2016 where she is responsible for annual, endowment, and legacy fundraising. Per an official press statement issued by the company, Crain increased the number of donors by over 200 percent and increased the annual fund by 40 percent during her tenure. She also worked as Development Director for the Kansas City Symphony, the Executive Director of the Kansas Arts Commission, the Assistant Director of Development for the Kansas State University Foundation, Director of Educational Initiatives for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Director of Community Programs for the Los Angeles Opera.

“I am thrilled and honored to come to San Diego Opera to work under the inspired and visionary leadership of David Bennett,” Crain said. “Opera is an art form like no other — powerful, visceral, and gorgeous. It will be a joy to engage with the many philanthropists and audience members who love and cherish this extraordinary combination of music and theater and who wish to share it with others in our community.”