McDermott + Bull has successfully placed Shahriar Pedram as Director of Development at Victoria Symphony. Shahriar will be responsible for expanding contributed revenue, preparing the organization for a transformational capital campaign, strengthening donor engagement, building internal fundraising capacity, and leading Victoria Symphony’s development strategy into its next chapter of growth.
Shahriar is a seasoned fundraising leader with deep expertise in major gifts, capital campaigns, and philanthropic strategy. He most recently served as Director of Philanthropy at the Vancouver International Film Festival. Prior to that, he held leadership roles across sectors, where he built fundraising infrastructure and drove donor engagement with a data-informed approach. Shahriar holds an MBA from Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of British Columbia.
Founded in 1941, Victoria Symphony is one of British Columbia’s largest performing arts organizations, serving over 100,000 people annually through its concerts, education programs, and community outreach. With a 44-member orchestra and an annual budget nearing $7 million, the Symphony plays a central role in Victoria’s cultural landscape and continues to build its national reputation for musical excellence and innovation.
This executive search was completed by McDermott + Bull Principal Milly Smith and Consultant Christiana Chan.