Michael Mael
Founding Partner
Michael L. Mael brings more than thirty—five years of executive leadership experience to his work on behalf of performing arts organizations. Most recently, he was Executive Director of the Washington Ballet on an interim basis, helping that organization regain financial stability. In that role, he aggressively managed cash flow, rebuilt the financial system, negotiated with vendors and creditors, helped bring about changes in board governance, established a new community engagement program and returned to a balanced budget after four years of losses. For nearly ten years he was with Washington National Opera. He served as Executive Director for six years, as part of the senior management team at the Kennedy Center. Highlights of his tenure included: production of WNO’s first Ring Cycle, six consecutive years of meeting or exceeding financial targets, development of innovative marketing and community engagement programs including Opera in the Outfield, creation of a new commissioning program, and development of a new strategic plan. He joined the WNO in 2008 as Chief Financial and Operating Officer with responsibility for all financial and day to day operations of the company. Under his leadership, the organization returned to financial stability with four consecutive balanced budgets following more than a decade of losses. He also led the effort to affiliate with the Kennedy Center, ensuring the long-term stability of the Opera. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Mael worked for nearly five years for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) as Vice President of the BSO at Strathmore where he was responsible for launching and managing all activities related to the BSO’s second home at the new Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, MD. Mr. Mael worked for several technology companies where he launched and managed a series of new businesses. For Focal Communications, a nationwide telecommunications carrier, he led the company’s data communications subsidiary and later became Senior Vice President, responsible for all product, channel and field marketing activities. Mr. Mael served as Vice President of Applications and Web Services for PSINet, a leading global Internet Service Provider, and managed the company’s global web hosting business, turning it into an industry-leading service. Mr. Mael came to PSINet, having worked 5 ½ years at MCI Communications as one of the team leaders that created and launched MCI’s commercial Internet products. He also held positions in MCI’s finance, and marketing organizations. Besides his extensive experience in the technology industry, Mr. Mael has also consulted for symphony orchestras and was involved in assessment and planning projects for the Minnesota Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Buffalo Philharmonic. Mr. Mael is a 2005 graduate of Leadership Montgomery, and served as President of the Board of Directors. He currently serves as Treasurer and a member of the Executive Committee of the Jewish Social Services Agency. Mr. Mael received his AB from Brown University and his MBA from Stanford University.