Her Story
About Olivia
Olivia Allred is an arts education and community engagement professional with experience spanning music education, nonprofit operations, event coordination, and administrative support. She currently works as Education Manager at the Houston Symphony, managing school partnerships and student concert series that bring over 55,000 students every season, along with musician outreach programs to schools. Her earlier roles include work with smaller nonprofits providing after-school music instruction and teaching piano for many years. She holds a percussion performance degree from the University of Utah, where she also gained experience through internships and involvement with El Sistema organizations, combining strong arts expertise with program management, education, and community outreach.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Olivia
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice comes from observing my current boss who is a cheerleader for her team. She uplifts and cheers people on, makes everyone feel valued, and advocates for them constantly. That leadership style has been really inspiring and powerful.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't underestimate the power of experiencing as much as you can. Put yourself in places that you feel good in and with people you're passionate about. Trust yourself and follow the things that draw you in and make you happy, while being realistic about finances.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In Houston, the geographic issue of distance in a sprawling city makes reaching people hard. Broader challenges include that education opinions change constantly, what resonates with kids varies, and administration, government processes and red tape make access to resources complicated for schools.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
It's important to view people as people, whether students, colleagues or bosses, recognizing everyone is doing their best. Navigating life with a sense of humor, positivity, and gratitude is key. My faith is important, aligning how I treat others with what God wants. Responding to situations individually rather than with group solutions matters.
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