By Taylor Shoptaw - The Daily News

Debra Czestochowski has joined Levitt Shell as the organization’s first development director.

Hometown: Macomb, Ill.

Education: B.A. in English, University of Illinois

Work experience: More than 30 years advancing nonprofit organizations in higher education and the performing arts, including a decade with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra before joining the Levitt Shell staff.

Family: My husband, Joseph, heads International Arts Inc., based in Chicago and Memphis. Our son, Stefan, is a professional musician preparing for medical school. He lives in Chicago.

Favorite quote: “A good idea doesn’t care where it came from.” From Jeff Sanford, wise Memphian and fellow Midwesterner.

Who has had the greatest influence on you? My Grandpa Kindred, who raised his siblings and built a farm for his family and was the kindest man I have known. No one could have had a more perfect surname.

What drew you to the Levitt Shell? The irresistible opportunity to join those who have regenerated a Memphis treasure in order to build community and diversity through free music and education.

What do you consider your greatest professional accomplishments? Reaching fundraising goals is deeply satisfying, but it is most significant to me to achieve those goals via servant leadership, which focuses on facilitating the progress of others. I thank Leadership Memphis for acquainting me with the literature in this field.

What do you most enjoy about your work? I enjoy the creativity and commitment of those around me – staff, board and volunteers. I enjoy the expressions on the faces of those who gather for each concert. I enjoy seeing families together, children dancing and musicians absorbing the energy of the experience as they perform. An evening at the Levitt Shell is joyful. It is what this world should be.