| Manchester 2023 ISPA - Maria Hansen |
 Maria HansenExecutive Director Maria Hansen is Executive Director of ELIA, a leading European network of art universities, globally connected and dedicated to offering a dynamic platform for exchange and development of its almost 300 member institutions. Born and raised in Germany, Maria worked in the performing arts for more than 30 years. She was Executive Director of Opera Lyra Ottawa before moving to the Netherlands in 1995. Maria managed the Netherlands Bach Society, a baroque ensemble she toured internationally. In 2007, she became Managing Director of the Municipal Theater and Concert Hall Philharmonie in Haarlem. In 2017, she made the move to ELIA and the international field of arts education. Maria served on the Board and Executive of ISPA for many years. She received ISPA’s Patrick Hayes Award honoring transformative leadership in 2020. A passion of Maria’s is environmental sustainability in the cultural field. As managing director of the Theatre and Concert Hall Philharmonie in Haarlem, she was a driving force in achieving green certification for nine local cultural organisations. Maria now has a leading role in the establishment of eco-certification for cultural networks. Throughout her career she has served on the boards of many organisations, including the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and Oorkaan. Speaker |
