Time, Treasure and Talent

Janine Musholt

Janine Musholt ’88, now firmly planted in Atlanta, Ga., as the leader of advancement for the Woodruff Arts Center, credits her Dickinson experience, both in Carlisle and London, with showing her how to do things “differently.” Read on to find out what the former American studies major learned at Dickinson about leadership potential, why she finds power in philanthropy and why she would love to take the Bard to dinner.

 

Can you speak to how Dickinson’s useful liberal-arts education might apply to your career?

That’s really the magic of a Dickinson education, isn’t it? I’ve felt well prepared throughout my career, whether through my presentation skills, written correspondence, analytical ability, decision-making instincts or respect for others. I think all of that is nurtured and fostered through my Dickinson education. I can remember (a million years ago) my first manager once asking me what I did differently that allowed me to excel when other newly hired peers did not. I didn’t realize then what I know now—it was Dickinson.

What was your favorite organization at Dickinson?

Absolute toss-up between Kappa Kappa Gamma and Wheel and Chain. I loved the sisterhood I gained through Kappa and my sorority days. I cherish those relationships, and many KKG sisters are my dearest friends now, 30 years since we pledged together. Wheel and Chain allowed me to realize that I was a leader—and the true influence that someone can have through leadership. I value that to this day.

What jumps out as a great memory from your time at Dickinson?

Hands down the summer semester in London in 1987, studying theatre and music with professors Beth Bullard and Bill Harms. It was my first trip abroad and my first experience with so many things that I have come to love: travel, other cultures, music, art, theatre. And it was academically rigorous—not this easy summer abroad that you might imagine. It was such a small group, you couldn’t be anonymous. I remember being challenged by the professors to do more. I can still remember their comments on my papers and conversations we had in class. It didn’t hurt that my two closest friends were with me on the trip (Catherine [Leonard] Hodder '88 and Margaret [Kress] Carlson ’88). It’s a time I’ll never forget.  

How do you stay involved with/support Dickinson? Why do you think it’s important?

I’ve made my career in nonprofits and have seen, more than most, the power of philanthropy, broadly defined as giving of time, treasure or talent. I believe deeply that giving matters, and in this case it allows me to honor what I gained through my Dickinson education and to help, even in a small way, to provide that for a student in the future.

How did you get interested in your current work?

I accidentally happened upon my fundraising career and fell in love. It’s been my passion for the last 19 years. Most of my career had been in sports (most recently as chief development officer for the U.S. Olympic Committee) and now these past few years with an amazing cultural institution, home of the renowned High Museum of Art, the Grammy Award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatre. I feel so blessed and lucky to work in nonprofit and to be able to solve social problems with philanthropy. And I feel especially grateful to be able to experience some of the world’s best art and performance, literally down the stairs from my office. I hope to be doing this work for a long time.

What does your current work entail, and what about it interests you most?

I lead the advancement group at the Woodruff Arts Center, which means I’m responsible for all of our contributed revenue, our event sales and service, our patron experience, marketing and communications, trustee relations and government affairs. What interests me most? I love the people. Truly. I have a wonderful team—some of the most talented folks working in the field. And we have an amazing cadre of supporters—thousands of generous donors and patrons who support the arts and Atlanta.

What is the most challenging part of what you’re doing now?

The lack of public (government) support for the arts is an unfortunate reality, and there’s only so much time you can devote to trying to change that. It’s a shame. Thankfully, we’re blessed in Atlanta to have many private individuals, foundations and corporations who do understand the value of the arts and provide generous support for our world-class institutions.

What’s your favorite thing to do on a Saturday night?

I spend much of my time at the Arts Center—at the latest play, art exhibition or symphony performance—and whether I’m here with clients, my husband or our (almost) three-year-old daughter, the art is exceptional. That said, I really value a Saturday night at home with my family: cooking food together, laughing and listening to our little girl’s latest learning. The quiet Saturday night has become a rare and wonderful thing.

If you could have dinner with a famous person, living or dead, who would it be?

Shakespeare! For so many reasons—especially to be the one to tell him how his writing has transcended time and let him know about the expressions that are still a part of our daily conversation. I would really just like to be the one to tell him that!

You just built a time machine: Where and when do you go?

I want to go back and see three-year-old me and what my parents were doing then and how it’s different now. Both of my parents passed away before my daughter was born, and I’m beyond sad that they never had a chance to meet her. I know they would have adored her and oh how I would have loved to have them all together. On a much more basic level, I often wish I could ask them day-to-day parent things! My time machine would take me back to peek at how they raised me to be sure we’re doing it well—because they were extraordinary parents.

You’re going to live on an island by yourself for a year: What books, albums and movies do you take with you?

By myself?! Oh, I can’t even imagine. I’ll sleep so much. I’ll sleep a lot. When I wake up? How about Austen books, Bach recordings and Spielberg movies?

If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

There was this one time that I was in Europe with friends (Catherine Hodder ’88 and Laura [Leonard] Fisher ’90), and they were encouraging me to sing with the band in this fantastic bar on Lake Geneva. I didn’t do it, and I should have. It’s my ONLY regret in life. Honestly, I have a wonderful life. I wouldn’t change a thing.

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Published November 4, 2015