Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/94702
Piraino as she laughs at the reference. "It's about getting a sense of people and what they need to be inspired to be part of a team. I try to use that to my advantage to be a better leader." A team player at heart, Piraino is quick to point out that the suc- "I think Russ called me that because I'm very intuitive," says the relationships that Janet built during that process." Piraino launches into a story about the fi nal meeting before the cess of Overture's foundation wasn't just about her. She credits a passionate team with different perspectives for rousing commu- nity action to get the job done. But as Overture pushes through its second year of fundraising with the same substantial goal, it's hard not to cast Piraino as the leading lady in the foundation's closely watched second act. "I love this building and I love what we do here," Piraino says, explaining the evolution of her role with Overture. When negotiations over the future governance and ownership of December 2010 deadline to fi gure out a solution for Overture. As snow piled up outside, the council members and city offi cials were resigned to not being able to meet and having to possibly extend the deadline. Everyone except Piraino. "We were negotiating over the weekend and Monday was our deadline, so I called the streets superintendent and asked him to plow the roads of all the people in the meeting so we could get to- gether," she says with a laugh. "It wasn't an option to not come to an agreement." Th e agreement that was ultimately reached included the banks Overture began in late 2010 between the City of Madison and the Common Council, Piraino was in her eighth year as former Mayor Dave Cieslewicz's chief of staff, and she played a major role in the discussions. "She was at the center of [the negotiations]…she spoke for me," says Cieslewicz. "While the Council ultimately adopted a variation of our proposal, Overture would not be successful today without forgiving the $28 million debt; original donor, Jerry Frautschi, and others donating another large sum; and ownership being turned over to the Overture Center Foundation, effective Jan. 1, 2012. "Th e bottom line was that everyone in that room wanted to make it work," recalls Piraino. "And it was a wonderful experience to be the voice of the mayor." After Cieslewicz lost a close re-election bid to Paul Soglin in April 2011, Piraino was suddenly on the hunt for a new job. "I wasn't sure what was next," says Piraino. "But I was looking for that passion, for that challenge." December 2012 bravamagazine.com 39