Pittsburgh Cultural Trust names new president and CEO

Duquesne University graduate Kendra Whitlock Ingram has been named the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s new president and chief executive officer succeeding Kevin McMahon, who is retiring.

Ingram will be the first person of color and the second woman to become president and CEO in the Cultural Trust’s 38-year history. She takes over on Feb. 1.

“This is a very exciting opportunity and a real honor,” Ingram told the Trib.

A native of Scranton, Ingram is currently president and CEO of the Marcus Performing Arts Center in Milwaukee. Prior to that, she served as executive director of the Newman Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Denver as well as vice president of Programming and Education at the Omaha Performing Arts Center.

Ingram said she her first internship was with the Pittsburgh Opera when she was a music education major at Duquesne. She’s very familiar with the arts scene in Pittsburgh.

“I spent many, many hours attending performances at the Benedum and the Byham and Heinz Hall. So, I know Downtown Pittsburgh very well even though it’s changed significantly since I was a student,” Ingram said.

Ingram, who plays the viola and piano, also student-taught at Allderdice High School in Squirrel Hill where she was a band and orchestra instructor.

She was encouraged to get more deeply involved in arts administration by some of her professors who felt she was good at working behind the scenes.

“I had planned to teach when I graduated. But I learned about this world of arts administration and was introduced to a fellowship program that was specifically designed to train executives to run orchestras,” Ingram said. “So, that’s how I got into the business.

“Pittsburgh is where this world all started for me.”

Ingram said that while she’s extremely excited about the opportunity to work for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, she knows it will be a challenge.

“I definitely have some big shoes to fill because Kevin is such a well-respected leader in our field. The work that the Trust has done for the last 35-plus years has really been extraordinary,” Ingram said. “I think the biggest challenge is just keeping that momentum moving forward.”

Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Board Chair Richard Harshman said Ingram’s enthusiasm and experience managing a broad range of art forms made her the top choice for the job.

“There are so many exciting Trust projects launching now and on the horizon for which she is uniquely suited,” Harshman said. “We look forward to welcoming Kendra back to Pittsburgh to help lead the Cultural Trust as the Trust continues to revitalize Downtown and bring audiences back in large numbers to our theaters, galleries, public art installations, and festivals.”

The Cultural Trust has overseen a substantial transformation of what was once a deteriorating red-light district into a hub for the arts in a 14-block entertainment and residential neighborhood.

“One of the things that attracted me to this role was the great legacy and work that has already been accomplished,” Ingram said. “I think the thing that is most important to me is connecting with community.

”That’s something I feel the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust has done very well, and that will continue to be a priority for me; and also continue encouraging people to come to live performances after the pandemic.”