In this conversation, Lyanne Alvarado shares her journey from a childhood immersed in music to her current career in development. She discusses the importance of arts education, her transition from performance to arts management, and the significance of building relationships within the arts community. Lyanne emphasizes the role of philanthropy in supporting the arts, her experiences navigating corporate partnerships, and how her cultural heritage informs her work ethic. She also reflects on the future of the arts in Houston and offers advice for aspiring leaders in the industry.

Lyanne Alvarado is a dedicated arts fundraiser with a multifaceted career spanning artistic administration, development, and institutional leadership. She currently serves as Individual Giving Manager at Stages, where she focuses on building meaningful donor relationships in support of the organization’s mission and community impact.

Prior to joining Stages, Lyanne spent several years at Houston Grand Opera, most recently serving as Philanthropy Officer of Acquisitions, following two years as Philanthropy Officer of Corporate Partnerships. In these roles, she played a key part in donor cultivation and stewardship strategies, strengthening philanthropic support across individual and institutional giving programs. Earlier in her tenure at HGO, Lyanne honed her operational and relationship-building skills as Assistant Manager of Rehearsal Planning and Artist Services, gaining a deep understanding of artistic processes and cross-departmental collaboration.