Palm Beach North Chamber: Women in Business Luncheon

^{by Glenn R. Swift}

“Behind the Curtain: Judith Mitchell”

The Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Council held their quarterly luncheon on Thursday, June 1 with Judy Mitchell, CEO of the Kravis Center, as guest speaker. Mitchell discussed her career and how she was able to break through the glass ceiling as a female leader in the performing arts industry. Mitchell also reflected upon the Kravis Center’s amazing accomplishments since its founding 25 year ago, as well as giving a sneak preview of what will be unfolding in the future.

About the Speaker: Judy Mitchell
At the helm of the $138 million Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Judy Mitchell is no ordinary Chief Executive Officer. Her commitment to and passion for fulfilling the Center’s mission of enhancing the quality of life in Palm Beach County is exemplified in her hands-on approach to leadership—and in the more than 13,000 performances presented, 10 million guests and over 2 million students who have participated in the Center’s educational programs over the last 25 years.

Even before becoming CEO in 1992, as the Center’s Director of Development, Mitchell was a driving force with the Center’s Board of Directors in the fundraising efforts that led to the Center opening its doors fully funded. Since then, she’s been involved in every aspect of the Center’s operations—from overseeing 200 employees and 500 volunteers, and managing an annual operating budget of $27 million, to guiding programming, fundraising and administration and spearheading the initiative to create Kravis On Broadway, the Center’s lineup of nationally touring blockbuster shows.

Mitchell has received numerous awards, including the “Breaking the Glass Ceiling Award” presented by the National Association of Women Business Owners, Palm Beach Chapter, The Women In Leadership Award (WILA) from Executive Women of the Palm Beaches in May 2014 and in 2017, the George W. Abbott Award for Life Achievement from the Carbonell Awards.