Harris Theater names new president and CEO

Patricia Barretto — formerly interim President and CEO of the Harris Theater for Music and Dance — will assume the post on a full-time basis, effective immediately, according to an announcement from the Theater’s Board of Trustees.
Baretto joined the Harris in 2015 as Vice President of Marketing and Communications. In 2016, she took on an expanded role as Executive Vice President of External Affairs, overseeing the marketing, development and community engagement programs.

Under Barretto’s leadership, the Harris has exceeded its sales goals for two consecutive seasons and achieved its highest annual fundraising level in five years, according to a statement from the Harris. The Harris, now in its 14th year, opens its 2017-2018 Presenting Series on October 12 with Monteverdi 450: L’Orfeo, in part a commemoration of the 450th anniversary since the Venetian composer’s birth.

Barretto was previously Executive Director of Toronto’s Opera Atelier. She was also a panel member of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Toronto Arts Council.

The Harris Theater’s executive leadership team also includes Laura Hanssel, Chief Financial Officer, and Lori Dimun, who was recently appointed Chief Operating Officer; the Harris can count itself as one of the few organizations led solely by female executives.