Board Governance Case Study — Utah Symphony | Utah Opera

As part of my graduate coursework in board relations, I conducted a comprehensive governance analysis of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera (USUO), one of the state’s leading arts organizations. This project was developed through research, coursework frameworks, and direct insight from a professional interview with Callie Forsyth of USUO.

The purpose of this case study was to evaluate the organization’s governance structure, board effectiveness, and alignment with nonprofit best practices. Using established governance frameworks, I assessed key areas including mission alignment, organizational performance, financial health, board structure, and transparency.

Overall, USUO demonstrated strong performance across mission delivery, programming quality, public reputation, and financial stability. The organization benefits from an engaged and influential board, effective fundraising capacity, and meaningful community impact through both performance and education initiatives.

However, this analysis also identified opportunities to strengthen governance practices. My recommendations focused on increasing transparency through updated and publicly accessible governance materials, clarifying board and committee roles, formalizing evaluation processes for leadership, and improving board diversity to better reflect Utah’s evolving population. I also proposed the implementation of structured documentation systems and governance training to support long-term adaptability and effectiveness.

This project required both analytical rigor and strategic thinking—balancing recognition of organizational strengths with constructive, actionable recommendations for growth. It also provided valuable experience engaging with arts professionals and applying academic frameworks to real-world institutional contexts.