The Music Academy of the West recently named its 2025 Board officers and added four new members of the community to the board.
“This board will help grow the academy’s mission to provide musicians and audiences with transformative music experiences through public performances and community programs,” the Music Academy said.
The new board officers and members of the academy, which is in its 78th season, began their terms on Jan. 1.
“As we embark on this extraordinary year, I am deeply honored to serve as chair alongside such talented and committed individuals,” said Danner Schefler, board chair. “Our unwavering commitment to music and education inspires us to continue building a legacy of artistry and community connection that will endure for generations to come.”
“The Music Academy thrives because of the exceptional leadership and dedication of our Board,” said Shauna Quill, Music Academy president/CEO. “We are thrilled to welcome our 2025 officers and members, whose diverse perspectives and commitment to the arts will guide us into an exciting new chapter.
“At the same time, we are profoundly grateful for the retiring members’ contributions, which have been instrumental in shaping the academy’s success.”
The Music Academy welcomes the following:
Susan Berger , a retired financial services executive and a chef, is an arts advocate and active Santa Barbara community member.
Over 15 years, she held roles as an analyst and due diligence officer with such firms as Bateman Eichler, Citibank, and Capital Group, before joining Delaware Funds in Philadelphia.
A University of Southern California graduate with dual degrees in economics and East Asian studies, Berger has also pursued her love of food, working for Wolfgang Puck Catering and founding her own catering business.
She supports local organizations including the Santa Barbara Newcomers Club, Santa Barbara Symphony, The Women’s Fund, and Music Academy of the West.
Todd Gerber is vice president of Go-to-Market & Sales at Adobe, Inc., focused on the digital media portfolio of products.
He grew Adobe’s Acrobat freemium model into a multi-billion-dollar revenue stream, and transitioned its document productivity business to a subscription-based model. Prior to Adobe, Gerber held leadership roles at Hewlett-Packard, focusing on digital marketing and brand engagement.
He holds a master’s degree in English with a focus on scientific and technical communication from Bowling Green State University, and a bachelor’s degree in English and psychology from Heidelberg University.
Pat Wadors is a human resources executive, author, and speaker. Wadors has held leadership roles with UKG, Yahoo!, LinkedIn, and Procore Technologies. Currently, she serves as chief human resources officer at Intuitive.
A speaker on diversity, inclusion and belonging, Wadors holds a bachelor’s degree in business and human resource administration with a minor in psychology from Ramapo College of New Jersey.
Wadors is a recipient of the National Diversity Council’s Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Technology award, and author of “Unlock Your Leadership Story.”
Dr. Todd Yancey is a corporate biotechnology executive with 40 years of experience spanning clinical care and executive roles in biotech.
After earning his medical degree at the University of Virginia and completing training at Weill-Cornell Medical School, he served on the faculty at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
Shifting to biotech, he held senior executive and C-Suite roles at BioMarin, and now serves as chief strategic advisor for Agenus.
Dr. Yancey has supported nonprofit boards, including Gay Men’s Health Crisis and The Santa Barbara Newcomers Club.
A music enthusiast, he contributes to the Music Academy through philanthropy, event participation, and mentorship as a compeer for summer fellows.
“As we look ahead to an exciting future, we pause to express our deepest gratitude to our outgoing officers whose unwavering commitment has been instrumental in guiding us to this moment,” the Music Academy said.
“With heartfelt appreciation, we bid a warm farewell to our retiring board members Dianne Duva, Gamble Parks Douville, Ashley Hollister, Heejung Kim, and Patrick Spence,” the academy said. “Each of these remarkable individuals has left an enduring mark on the academy through their vision and dedication to the arts.
“Patrick Spence will continue to support the academy as a member of the National Advisory Council. NancyBell Coe, the third president for the Music Academy serving from July 2004 to August 2010, has also joined the National Advisory Council.
The full roster and complete biographies of the 2025 Board of Directors is available at musicacademy.org/board.