Mary Poland has been elected as the President of the San Francisco Opera Guild.

Poland, who will succeed Jane Mudge, was announced as President on Tuesday, Nov. 13, at the organization’s annual meeting at the Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square. She will serve a two-year term.

Her leadership will kick off the 80^th anniversary of the San Francisco Opera Guild and she will be tasked with overseeing all aspects of the Guild’s operations, fundraising, and education programs, among other endeavors. She will also serve on the San Francisco Opera Association Board of Directors.

Poland is a well-known philanthropist who has more than 40 years of board engagement and leadership roles in many Bay Area non-profit institutions.

“It is an honor to follow in the tradition spearheaded by past Guild presidents, many of whom are present today, especially Jane Mudge whose strategic mind has elevated the Guild to new heights,” Poland said in a press release. “As we approach our 80th anniversary year, I am confident that the men and women of this organization will work together to continue making a powerful impact on the lives of children, adults, and families throughout Northern California through the power of opera. We do this both with our education programs in the schools and at the War Memorial Opera House, which is the most important classroom.”