Daryl Mah Thomann
Chief Financial & Operating Officer
Daryl Mah Thomann joined Music Will in 2024 as the organization’s Chief Financial and Operating Officer. Daryl joins Music Will with 20 years in the not-for-profit industry. Most recently, she worked for Make-A-Wish America as Senior Director of Chapter Performance where she supported a network of 58 chapters across the U.S. in delivering the organization’s mission of granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Key focus areas included leading enterprise transformation initiatives, identifying and developing programs and shared resources to achieve scalable growth, and developing a collaborative community of operational and finance leaders across the U.S.
Prior to her role at Make-A-Wish America, Daryl served as Chief Operating and Financial Officer for Make-A-Wish Illinois, one of the largest chapters in the Make-A-Wish federated enterprise. There she developed and led the chapter’s operations which included strategic planning, financial budgeting and forecasting, technology and digital infrastructure, human resources, and project management. In Illinois, Daryl enabled the chapter to grow from $4 million to over $14 million, and developed a high-performing workforce of over 50 staff and 1600 volunteers, to engage the Illinois community in its work to deliver transformational wishes to eligible children.
Daryl started her career in management and economic consulting, with a focus on financial valuation and new venture strategy, and developing growth strategies for Fortune 500 companies.
Outside of work, Daryl combines her love of family, sports, and community by engaging and volunteering her time for various organizations and initiatives. Daryl believes that organizational and community change happens one individual at a time. This belief underlies her lifelong love of music, as she recognizes and has experienced its power to help individuals discover their unique selves, to find the confidence to share, learn, and understand from others, and to find joy. Daryl believes music will uplift and inspire our children, and will be a bridge for our community to find more unity, support, and common ground.
Daryl holds her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from the University of Chicago. Daryl currently resides in North Carolina with her family.
Music Will uplift and inspire our children, and will be a bridge for our community to find more unity, support, and common ground..
