Allied Organizations

Ohio Foundation for Music Education Welcomes Kimberly Symonds as Director of Operations and Development

Jay Wardeska

The Ohio Foundation for Music Education (OFME) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kimberly Symonds as its new Director of Operations and Development. In this role, Kimberly will lead the Foundation’s day to day operations, fundraising initiatives, and community engagement efforts, helping to advance OFME’s mission of supporting music education opportunities for students and educators across Ohio.

Kimberly brings extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, community development, event fundraising, and organizational management. Most recently, she has served as Community Development Manager for NAMI Wayne and Holmes Counties, where her responsibilities spanned outreach initiatives, building community partnerships, coordinating signature fundraising events, and supporting grant development and long-term sustainability planning. Her work has consistently focused on building strong relationships and translating mission into meaningful impact.

In addition to her nonprofit background, Kimberly has significant experience in live event production and operations through her role as Vice President of The Symonds Group, where she has overseen scheduling, staffing, logistics, and systems development for complex productions. Her career also includes executive leadership as Executive Director of the Wilson’s Disease Association, where she guided strategic planning, donor development, advocacy efforts, and international programs, as well as earlier work in public policy and grassroots advocacy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hiram College and is currently enrolled in the MBA program at Ashland University.

“I have a great deal of trust in Kimberly’s skills and experience,” said Jay Wardeska, Executive Director of the Ohio Foundation for Music Education. “She brings both clarity and enthusiasm to her work, and I’m energized by her vision for where the Foundation can go. Her leadership will help us strengthen the support we provide to students, educators, and music education programs across Ohio.”

Kimberly’s appointment enhances OFME’s capacity to support its expanding initiatives while maintaining continuity of leadership. Jay Wardeska continues to serve as Executive Director, providing strategic direction for the organization, while Michael Crist remains President of the OFME Board of Directors, ensuring steady governance and oversight as the Foundation moves forward.

The Foundation has several upcoming events and initiatives designed to raise funds in support of OMEA’s mission, including efforts that directly benefit students, preservice teachers, advocacy work, and leadership development. While these events offer meaningful opportunities to engage with the work of the Foundation, supporters are reminded that donations can be made at any time by visiting www.ohiofoundationformusiceducation.org.

In Memoriam: Gene Warman

As the Foundation looks ahead, it also pauses to honor the legacy of Gene Warman, a dedicated member of the Ohio Foundation for Music Education Board of Directors since 2013, who recently passed away. Gene’s service to the Foundation was marked by his generosity, insight, and steadfast belief in the power of music education. His leadership and commitment helped guide OFME through more than a decade of growth and change, and his contributions continue to shape the work of the Foundation today. We are deeply grateful for Gene’s years of service and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. He will be remembered with respect, gratitude, and appreciation for the lasting impact he made on music education in Ohio.

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