David Schmitz Email and Phone Number

Founder of Amplify Leadership Advisors, a purpose driven consulting firm focused on creating success stories for organizations by providing transitional leadership, management coaching & thought partnership, and project execution that strategically evolves organizations in changing times. We help evolve internal cultures, strategically navigate change, and explore visionary futures so that boards and leadership can secure revenue and community impact for generations to come.

Oversaw the fundraising, marketing, finance, education and operations departments for this 87-year-old company. Co-leader, with the Artistic Director and Board leadership, 39 board members, 350 plus full-time and 100+ part-time employees. Worked to bring the company through the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic, including the restoration of the company after 18 months of shut down. Managed the institution through various crises, including COVID shut down and re-open, supply chain issues and the… Show more Oversaw the fundraising, marketing, finance, education and operations departments for this 87-year-old company. Co-leader, with the Artistic Director and Board leadership, 39 board members, 350 plus full-time and 100+ part-time employees. Worked to bring the company through the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic, including the restoration of the company after 18 months of shut down. Managed the institution through various crises, including COVID shut down and re-open, supply chain issues and the Almeda Urban Wildfire. Helped to found and run a national professional nonprofit theatre coalition which collaborated across various industry verticals to secure $16B for the performing arts sector, and as a result secured $10,000,000 in federal funding for OSF. Lobbied for and secured an additional $720,000 in pandemic funding from the State of Oregon and secured a $10,000,000 gift from generous board member to help fund the organizations growth from recovery to vitality. Show less

Oversaw the fundraising, marketing, production, education and operations departments for this 44-year-old ensemble-based company. Co-leader, with the Artistic Director and Trustee leadership, of 55 ensemble members, 54 trustees, 100 full-time and 200+ part-time employees. Responsible for ensuring the ensemble of Steppenwolf has the resources and institutional support necessary to achieve their creative ambitions in the present and the future. Negotiated and oversaw production transfers, key… Show more Oversaw the fundraising, marketing, production, education and operations departments for this 44-year-old ensemble-based company. Co-leader, with the Artistic Director and Trustee leadership, of 55 ensemble members, 54 trustees, 100 full-time and 200+ part-time employees. Responsible for ensuring the ensemble of Steppenwolf has the resources and institutional support necessary to achieve their creative ambitions in the present and the future. Negotiated and oversaw production transfers, key relationship holder for most Trustees, and a key fundraiser for $100K + gifts.A leader of the historic expansion of Steppenwolf’s campus. The expansion and renovation plan created a new home for Steppenwolf’s storied ensemble and a thriving center for culture in Chicago. The main thrust of the project, a new 50,000 sq ft theatre and education building on Steppenwolf’s Halsted Campus, launched the theatre into the future creating new opportunities to experience the creative expression of Steppenwolf’s ensemble. The project provided earned income opportunities for the theatre; created Steppenwolf’s first ever purpose-built education space and allowed the theatre to nearly double the potential students served to nearly 40,000; is the most accessible theatre built in the City of Chicago; and provides elevated audience amenities. The total project was accomplished in three phases, with the first completed in 2016, the second opened in 2021 and the final renovation phase completed in 2022. Funded by a $73 million capital campaign, at the time of my departure the leadership team had raised a total of $54 million and secured a $36 million bond issue for bridge financing. Show less

The Hypocrites; Arts Work Fund; threewalls; Freestreet Programs; The House Theatre of Chicago- Develop a Strategic Financial Management Boot Camp for small non-profit arts managers- Assist the staff of developing nonprofits in understanding the strategic application of financial analysis and best practices- Assist the staff in the development of a methodology for allocating and reporting shared program costs and indirect costs- Present findings and recommendations to the… Show more The Hypocrites; Arts Work Fund; threewalls; Freestreet Programs; The House Theatre of Chicago- Develop a Strategic Financial Management Boot Camp for small non-profit arts managers- Assist the staff of developing nonprofits in understanding the strategic application of financial analysis and best practices- Assist the staff in the development of a methodology for allocating and reporting shared program costs and indirect costs- Present findings and recommendations to the Board of Directors Show less

500 Clown uses circus arts, improvisation, and action based performance to produce theatre that catapults the performers into extreme physical and emotional risk. Lead board meetings, strategic planning, organizational development and board development efforts for new non-profit.

Collaborated with Producing Artistic Director and Director of Artistic Development on season selection, new play development, and ensemble management.

Ensemble based theatre that produces new plays written by, with and for the Lookingglass ensemble. Oversaw the operations of the theatre, including the Production, Finance, Box Office, Front-of-House and Facilities departments. Supervised operation of a 150-250 seat performance venue in the historic Water Tower Pumping Station as well as administrative offices, 2 classrooms and rehearsal space. Led monthly staff meetings and bi-monthly director meetings with an emphasis on open and efficient… Show more Ensemble based theatre that produces new plays written by, with and for the Lookingglass ensemble. Oversaw the operations of the theatre, including the Production, Finance, Box Office, Front-of-House and Facilities departments. Supervised operation of a 150-250 seat performance venue in the historic Water Tower Pumping Station as well as administrative offices, 2 classrooms and rehearsal space. Led monthly staff meetings and bi-monthly director meetings with an emphasis on open and efficient communication. Show less