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Julia Baumgarten Foster -
- Julia Baumgarten Foster
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Douglas Rankin, Irvine Barclay Theatre’s president, recently announced the appointment of Ms. Julia Foster to the position of Chief Development Officer. In charge of conducting the theater’s annual fundraising campaign in support of its diverse programs and services, “Ms. Foster is uniquely qualified for this challenging position given both her professional and personal experiences,” commented Rankin. He added, “Many people do not realize that the Barclay is not a university-owned and -operated facility. Rather, it is an independent nonprofit that receives annual operating support and board participation from both the City of Irvine and UCI, but depends largely on earned income from ticket sales and facility revenues, and from individual, corporate and foundation annual fund contributors. I’m confident that Ms. Foster’s skills will allow her to succeed within this complex environment.”
ABOUT JULIA FOSTER
Julia Baumgarten Foster comes to Irvine Barclay Theatre from Segerstrom Center for the Arts where she most recently served as director of major gifts. She had previously directed the Center’s annual fund efforts. Before coming to California from Colorado, Julia was employed by the Vail Valley Foundation where she was its cultural development manager generating support for both the Vilar Performing Arts Center and the Vail International Dance Festival. She also organized the Foundation’s annual Black Diamond Ball, a fundraiser for some 500 patrons.
Julia’s diverse career also includes the medical industry as a corporate event planner. As the director of continuing medical education for the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, she was responsible for all of the hospital’s continuing education events. After that, an account manager with the Impact Communications company, she traveled the country arranging educational meetings and dinners on behalf of pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, Glaxo and Merck.
Julia hails from New York City, where she earlier pursued a professional career as a dancer, singer and actor. Notably, she was a dancer and soloist for six years with Erick Hawkins’ well-known contemporary dance company performing at New York’s Joyce Theater and both performing and teaching at some of the country’s most important festivals including Jacob’s Pillow and the American Dance Festival.
As a volunteer, Julia’s background includes having served as a Planning and Zoning Commissioner for the Town of Avon, Colorado.
Julia holds a B.A. in Dance from Washington University in St. Louis and is currently pursuing her M.B.A. at Chapman University. She lives in Irvine with her husband Greg, a Vice President for Hays Companies Insurance Services, and their son, Logan.