Anna Klimala is an arts executive, educator, double-bassist, and activist whose mission is to position music as a central place in the development of young people. As President of Miami Music Project, Anna oversees the organization’s consistent advancement of its mission, guiding its long-range strategy, financial objectives, and operations, and leading Miami Music Project through the implementation of its innovative El Sistema-inspired programming. Under her leadership, the organization’s flagship program has grown to become one of the largest, most successful El Sistema-inspired initiatives in the nation, and has amassed a wide array of achievements, including a special proclamation from Miami-Dade County Public Schools as a provider of “relevant, rigorous and innovative academics”, and the Miami-Dade Superintendent’s Choice Award.
A native of Poland, Anna holds a Master’s Degree in Music Education from the Szymanowski Academy of Music and a Graduate Certificate in Double Bass Performance from the University of Southern California. She has studied and completed training courses for executive education and leadership development programs of the Columbia Business School and Harvard Business School.
As a strong proponent of building community around the power of music, Anna co-founded the annual Summer Trombone Festival in Poland. Her volunteer work includes previously serving as a Board Member and Treasurer of El Sistema USA. Anna also regularly participates as a grants panelist for various funding organizations, and as a consultant and mentor to other non-profit leaders. Taking pride in her personal journey, Anna has broken barriers as an immigrant and a woman in leadership. Most rewarding aspect of Anna’s work is seeing young people achieve their dreams.
