Noriko Manabe Steps Down as AMS Treasurer

Dr. Noriko Manabe has resigned her post as Treasurer of the American Musicological Society, citing the impact of the pandemic and the demands of work and other obligations. Dr. Manabe stepped down on 13 September in a letter addressed to the Board of Directors, writing, “I treasure my experience serving the membership and wish my successor the best in dealing with the responsibilities of the position.”

Dr. Manabe assumed the role of Treasurer in November 2020 and during her tenure oversaw the search for and appointment of an outside investment manager, as well as the establishment of a $944,000 investment portfolio based on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria for responsible stewardship.

In summarizing the performance of AMS investments in FY2021, Dr. Manabe reports that the Society’s investments had an “excellent year.” Invested funds rose 25.3% (to $9,586,670) between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2021, and increased a further 2% (to $9,772,497) by 10 September 2021. Nonetheless, she cautions that “given the extraordinary performance of the markets over the past year, chances may be growing that markets will be flat or experience a downward correction sometime in the future.”

Dr. Manabe’s successor has not yet been named, but AMS President Steve Swayne says that the Board hopes to appoint a new treasurer before the end of the year. The Board thanks Dr. Manabe for her service and wishes her well in all her current and future endeavors.