Tricia Williams – President and CEO
Tricia Williams is the President and CEO of Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation. She stepped into this role in April 2024 after serving the foundation for 24 years, where she oversaw and advanced every aspect of its programs—including instrument donations to schools, disaster relief efforts, and Holland’s Heroes, a national network of music and arts directors.
In 2017, Tricia launched the foundation’s Music (and Arts) Education District Support Services® (MEDSS), a groundbreaking program in the arts education field. MEDSS leverages data and teacher insights to help school districts dismantle local and systemic barriers so that all students can access and participate in high-quality, sequential, and sustainable music and arts education. To date, districts utilizing MEDSS have secured more than $14 million in new arts funding, hired additional teachers, introduced new programs, expanded student access, and provided instruments, classroom supplies, professional development, and other vital resources to strengthen teaching and learning.
A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Tricia holds dual degrees in Percussion Performance and Music Business/Management. She has performed with ensembles including the Boston Chamber Ensemble, Brookline Symphony, and Disney Grammy Collegiate Orchestra. Her leadership has been recognized by the City of Los Angeles and through her selection for the American Express Leadership Academy in 2017.
Todd Shipley – Program Director
Todd Shipley is Program Director at Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, where he leads the Foundation’s musical instrument grants to schools, natural disaster relief efforts, and Music (and Arts) Education District Support Services (MEDSS®)—a comprehensive service that helps school districts identify and remove barriers to student participation in music and the arts. He also facilitates Holland’s Heroes for Arts Education—a community of professional practice for school district arts education directors, supported the launch of the Foundation’s Adopt A School campaign, established the National Music Education Disaster Relief Coalition, and directs the continuous development of an innovative proprietary software platform that strengthens and expands the reach of MEDSS services.
Before joining the foundation, Todd served as Director of Arts Education for the Tennessee Department of Education, where he advanced statewide initiatives in policy, data, standards-centered instructional practices, and professional learning. In that role, he supported 147 school districts and more than 4,000 arts teachers across the state, administered the State of the Arts initiative—a public-private partnership that included a $1 million competitive grant program benefiting eight districts in collaboration with the CMA Foundation—and facilitated a first-of-its-kind statewide arts education landscape study.
A former middle and high school band director, Todd has been honored as a CMA Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence and a Metro Nashville Blue Ribbon Teacher. He is a past president of the State Education Agency Directors of Arts Education (SEADAE), has served on the board of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, and held numerous leadership roles with the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association, the Tennessee Music Education Association, and the Tennessee Art Education Association. He currently serves on the board of Arts Ed Tennessee.
Jasmine Bravo – Financial Controller
Jasmine Bravo serves as the Financial Controller at the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, bringing over 15 years of hands-on experience in nonprofit accounting, financial leadership, and organizational growth. Throughout her career, Jasmine has held key roles as both a Controller and Executive Director, providing her with a unique perspective that blends strategic planning with day-to-day financial management. Her work has helped strengthen the financial foundations of mission-driven organizations, ensuring they have the resources and systems needed to thrive. Jasmine earned her Master of Business Administration from California Baptist University and is passionate about helping organizations translate their mission into measurable impact through sound financial stewardship. She oversees the Foundation’s financial operations, ensuring transparency, accountability, and alignment with its mission to keep music alive in schools nationwide. Deeply inspired by the transformative power of music education, Jasmine is honored to help ensure that every child has the opportunity to experience the joy and benefits of a music education.