Tai Pauls

Tai Pauls was named Managing Director & Chief Advancement Officer of Milwaukee Ballet in August 2022 after serving in an interim capacity since May 2021.  Her strong vision successfully brought the Company through the challenging pandemic years and is shaping the future of the organization.

Pauls joined the Milwaukee Ballet Board of Directors in 2018, previously serving on the Development and Ballet Ball Committees. She officially joined the organization’s administrative team as Development Director in March 2020 within days of the COVID-19 pandemic causing the Company to cancel the remainder of its 50th anniversary season.  In August 2020 Pauls took on management of the Company’s marketing efforts and creation of the joint Advancement department encompassing development, marketing, and patron services (tickets). During the first years of her tenure, Pauls helped lead the Ballet back into the theater and navigated the severe financial challenges brought on by the pandemic. In 2022 the ballet relaunched the capital campaign for a new Nutcracker production, seeing Pauls work closely with Artistic Director Michael Pink to raise $5 million to bring the new production to life in December 2023.

Before joining Milwaukee Ballet, Pauls enjoyed an extensive career with the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club, joining the organization in 2005 and remaining through 2018. During her more than a decade with the Club, she worked her way up from Ticket Sales to Suite Services, and Special Events, eventually being named Vice President of Hospitality in 2017. She helped manage several key projects for the Club, including the $20 million redesign of the stadium’s food and beverage experience, renovation of ballpark premium Club Level spaces and dining concepts, a multi-phased redesign of corporate offices, and the creation of a multi-faceted hospitality training program for all ballpark game day and event employees. During her tenure with the Brewers, Pauls also planned and managed 400+ events annually, including the Brewers Mini-Marathon (2011-2018), Aurora Healthcare Annual Caregivers Recognition (2013-2018), An Evening With Brett Favre (2016), Jehovah’s Witness Convention (2014), National Governors’ Association Reception (2013), and MMAC All Member Meeting (2011).

A Milwaukee native, Pauls grew up dancing ballet and attending Milwaukee Ballet performances. An avid lover of the arts and artistic expression, she also enjoys gardening, golfing, reading, and film. She is a proud resident of Milwaukee’s vibrant east side with her husband and son.