Raphael Sutton Named New Executive Director of American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, JANUARY 29, 2014: David Hirsch, President of the Board of the American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (AFIPO), announced today that the Board has voted to appoint Raphael Sutton, currently a Vice President at JP Morgan Private Wealth Management, as Executive Director of AFIPO effective February 3, 2014. The appointment follows the unanimous recommendation of a search committee of the Board.
Mr. Sutton was born and raised in Israel, served in the Intelligence Corps of the IDF, and holds degrees in law and economics from Tel Aviv University, and an MBA from Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. He is admitted to practice law in Israel, and was an associate at an Israeli patent law firm before becoming Editor-in-Chief of The Israeli Wine Magazine, the premier such publication in Israel, for 3 years. Since his 2007 graduation from business school, Mr. Sutton has provided wealth management advice and solutions at JP Morgan to individuals, foundations, and not-for-profit institutions. He has also been a very active volunteer leader for the American Friends of Tel Aviv University.
Mr. Hirsch said, “We are delighted to have found someone who combines so many ideal qualities needed for this complex and exciting position. Raphael brings strategic focus, personal charm and charisma, and the ability to work with a wide range of North American and Israeli donors and cultural leaders. The entire Board looks forward to Raphael taking us to another level of support and partnership with the IPO.”
Mr. Sutton noted, “The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra is a national symbol and a flagship of Jewish culture. Since it was established, the IPO has been a source of inspiration and pride to millions all over the world. It is a great honor for me to have been selected to work on behalf of the orchestra and I look forward to building relationships with supporters of diverse ages and interests who care about what the IPO does and what it represents.”
AFIPO is the North American support organization for the 77-year-old Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, one of the world’s great classical ensembles and a beacon of Israeli culture in its extensive appearances at home and around the world. Its activities take place on a national scale, in conjunction with IPO tours to North America, as well as performances by smaller ensembles. The IPO recently completed a long-awaited renovation of its Tel Aviv home, the Bronfman Auditorium, with philanthropic support from around the world. Further planned expansion of its spaces will accommodate the musicians and vibrant educational services to Israelis from schoolchildren (Sulamot and Keynote) to aspiring professional classical musicians.
Mr. Sutton is married to Dr. Gal Altberg, a senior fellow in Pediatric Emergency Medicine at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore. Dr. Altberg completed her pediatric residency at Mt. Sinai Hospital and studied at Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University. They have one child.
