Gretchen Shugart

Gretchen Shugart’s professional experience encompasses finance, entrepreneurship, technology, operations management, and leadership.

As CEO, Gretchen spent seventeen years building TheaterMania.com, Inc., a media and technology company, from start-up to its 2017 sale. During her tenure, the company acquired U.K.-based WhatsOnStage; launched OvationTix©, a SaaS business providing ticketing, fundraising, and CRM tools to hundreds of performing arts organizations; executive produced the Drama Desk Awards and became a leading provider of theater information and tickets to millions of consumers nationwide. Following TheaterMania’s sale, Gretchen served as President, Arts & Culture of acquiring company AudienceView, ensuring a smooth transition to new ownership. For the last year, Gretchen has been providing consulting services to several early stage ventures.

Previously, Gretchen worked at JP Morgan Chase predecessors MHT and Chase; M&A advisory firm CEA; Bank of Montreal and as President of eMediaCapital LLC, an advisory firm.

Gretchen has been a board member of Theatre Forward for over a decade, serving as President from 2011 to 2018. She currently serves on the Brooklyn Museum of Art’s Advisory Council and is Co-Chair of the museum’s Council on Feminist Art. She is a mentor in Columbia University’s Masters in Technology Management program. Past board positions include the Vineyard Theater, TADA!, and the Advisory Board of California Institute of the Arts.

Gretchen and spouse Jonathan Maurer reside in Manhattan and have two grown children.