Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: United Performing Arts Fund names Patrick Rath as its new CEO

The United Performing Arts Fund has named Patrick Rath as its new president and CEO. Rath succeeds Deanna Tillisch, who stepped down Sept. 30 after leading the fundraising organization since 2011.

Rath has been executive development officer and system vice president at Advocate Aurora Health Foundations. He brings to the new job a record of working in development and serving on the boards of performing arts organizations, including the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. He was UPAF's chief development office in 2004-'06. 

"While our performing arts community is experiencing an unprecedented loss of revenue during this pandemic, I am confident that UPAF will lead all facets to ensure a strong and sustainable future that builds on our core beliefs of excellence and access for all,” Rath said in a media release announcing his new post.

He is a graduate of Northwestern University and Greendale High School.

UPAF raises operating funds for local performing arts groups. It recently announced allocations totaling more than $8.4 million to its 14 member groups for their 2020-'21 seasons, a 2% decrease from the total allocated for 2019-'20. That's in line with the results of UPAF's recently concluded fundraising campaign, which finished 1.9% under the prior year's total.