Next in the series is Eve Hyppolite, a technology professional and music producer who brings a unique blend of technical expertise and artistic passion to the Board. In addition to discussing her background, she shares her perspective on the Foundation’s impact and future.
Background & Career: Hyppolite’s journey weaves together technology, retail leadership, and music production. Her musical journey began in high school in Massachusetts, where she had access to a gifted band lab in one of her courses. The course taught her how to improvise in her music creation by combining GarageBand technology with piano instruction.
In college, she deepened her musical expertise, teaching herself music production using GarageBand and later Logic Studio. This self-directed learning led to understanding the intricate science of sound engineering, including compression and dynamics. She also began playing in a band and learned how to read music.
From these experiences, Hyppolite started writing songs and producing music for friends. She further developed her voice by serving as the opener for a major artist. As she received validation for her work, she dove deeper into music, seeking to understand the science behind it. When she moved to Philadelphia, she fostered a fanbase, further developing her interpersonal skills as she performed for customers while also continuing to teach herself music technology.
While experimenting with music on the side, Hyppolite began her career in retail, where she participated in a leadership program that propelled her to become a General Manager for a prominent sneaker company. This experience proved invaluable in developing her ability to connect with people from all walks of life and understand their needs on a human level. When a position developing content for Comcast arose, she realized that she could bridge her technological expertise, developed through the lens of music, with her creative abilities and soft skills. At Comcast, Hyppolite manages product experience labs, develops training videos, and leads product demos for various audiences, from internal teams to senior executives and community organizations. Through composing music, developing her voice, and forging connections with others, she has mastered the art of storytelling – a skill that is a critical component of her role.
In addition to her full-time role, Hyppolite continues to experiment and create music. She also composes music for the Brooklyn Children’s Theatre, working with underprivileged children ages 6-18 and helping them bring their creative ideas to life through music.
Love for Music: Hyppolite sees music as a universal language that can heal and evoke emotions, even when words aren’t understood – a perspective that influences both her professional work and her service to the Foundation.
How Did She Learn About The Presser Foundation?: Hyppolite discovered the Foundation through the DiverseForce on Boards program, which prepares high-performing mid-to-senior level professionals of color to become powerful leaders and change agents by helping match them to board roles with local organizations. She met Teresa Rodgers, the Foundation’s Executive Director, on her graduation day and was immediately drawn to the Foundation’s history and mission.
What She Enjoys: Hyppolite finds serving on Board to be a transformative experience. She particularly values the opportunity to assess strategy and witness how allocated funds create cascading effects in the community. The genuine care and dedication of everyone involved makes the work especially meaningful.
Impact of the Foundation: From her perspective, the Foundation’s century-long impact on Greater Philadelphia has been profound, particularly in its support of music students and teachers.
“The connection and investment in arts organizations, ensuring that the arts continue to thrive, is essential in our society today.”
Vision for the Future: Looking ahead, Hyppolite sees technology playing an increasingly important role in the Foundation’s efforts. She envisions deeper connections developing between music and technology, potentially opening new avenues for access and innovation in the field.
What Does She Do in Her Free Time?: When not working or volunteering, she enjoys writing and performing music. She has a particular love for the stage, where she can combine her musical talents with her natural ability for public speaking and performance.
