Joanna Naftali (Felder)

Joanna (Felder) Naftali has held various roles in the arts and fundraising sectors. Joanna is currently the Associate Vice President at Tel Aviv University USA (AFTAU) since September 2019. Prior to this, they worked at Northwestern University as the Director, Major Gifts from July 2015 to September 2019, and as the Senior Associate Director, Major Gifts from December 2012 to June 2015. From July 2009 to November 2012, they served as the Executive Director of Luna Negra Dance Theater. Joanna was the Director of Marketing and Communications at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago from August 2007 to July 2009. Before that, they worked as a Consultant at SILKROAD (The Silk Road Project, Inc.) from May 2006 to May 2007. In 2005, they were a Kennedy Center Fellow at DeVos Institute of Arts Management. Joanna also held the role of Artistic Manager at Ravinia Festival from February 2003 to May 2005 and started their career as a Publicity Associate at Frank Salomon Associates from May 2001 to February 2003.

Joanna (Felder) Naftali began their education at Indiana University Bloomington from 1994 to 1998, where they completed their Bachelor of Music degree. Joanna then pursued further studies at Musik Akademie Basel in 1998 and Yale University from 1999 to 2001, earning a Master of Music degree. In 2005, Joanna attended the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, completing a fellowship program in Arts Management. Additionally, in May 2019, they obtained a certification from the International Academy for Advancement Leadership, facilitated by Advancement Resources.