The Art & Science of Fundraising
A Study Visit to New York for Senior Executives from Museums, Universities, Cultural and Research Institutions
New York City, April 26 – 29, 2026
Day 1 – Sunday, April 26, 2026
Welcome Cocktail Reception
Location: Skylark, 200 West 39th St., New York, NY 10018
Time: 17:00 – 19:30
Speakers:
Ellena E. Fotinatos, Chief Operating Officer & Europe Lead, Myriad USA
Axel Ruger, Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Director, the Frick Collection
Day 2 – Monday, April 27, 2026
Location: 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022
8:00 – 8:30
Breakfast served and check-in
8:30 – 9:00
Welcome and Introduction
Speaker: Ellena E. Fotinatos, Chief Operating Officer & Europe Lead, Myriad USA
9:00 – 10:00
Session: An Introduction to the American Art of Fundraising
Speaker: Laura Fredricks, JD, Best-Selling Author, Speaker, Consultant, Trainer
10:00 – 10:45
Facilitated Networking Break
10:45 – 11:45
Museum and Cultural Track: Factors Critical to Success in Major Gifts Fundraising
Speaker: Dona Lee Kelly, Director of Development, Rubin Museum of Himalayan Art
University and Research Track: Factors Critical to Success in Major Gifts Fundraising
Speaker: Alejandra Naranjo, Assistant Vice President of Development, Principal Gifts and Campaign Initiatives, New York University
11:45 – 12:00
Break
12:00 – 13:00
Museum and Cultural Track: The Essential Roles of the Chief Development Officer, President, and the Board of Trustees
Speaker: Adam Weinberg, Director Emeritus, Whitney Museum of American Art
University and Research Track: The Essential Roles of the Chief Development Officer, President, and the Board of Trustees
Speakers:
Thomas A. Kline, EdD, Vice President of Advancement and External Relations, Adelphi University
Marc S. Strachan, Chair, Board of Trustees, Adelphi University
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch
14:00 – 15:00
Session: Building Support through the Engagement with the Community
Speaker: Kamilah Forbes, Executive Producer, The Apollo
15:00 – 15:10
Break
15:10 – 16:10
Museum and Cultural Track: From Boards to Benefits and In Between: Strategic Fundraising and Stewardship
Speaker: Karaugh Brown, Chief Advancement Officer, Whitney Museum of American Art
University and Research Track: From Boards to Benefits and In Between: Strategic Fundraising and Stewardship
Speaker: Marnie Imhoff, Senior Vice President for Development, The Rockefeller University
16:10 – 16:20
Break
16:20 – 17:20
Session: Big Shop, Small Shop, Shop of Any Size: Effective Organization of the Advancement/Development Office
Speaker: Erin Capone, DSW, Assistant Dean of Development NYU Silver School of Social Work, University Development and Alumni Relations, New York University
Free Evening
Day 3 – Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Location: 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022
8:00 – 8:50
Breakfast served
8:50 – 9:00
Announcements
9:00 – 10:00
Session: Staying Human-Centered in an AI-Powered World
Speaker: Allison Fine, President & CEO, Every.org
10:00 – 10:10
Break
10:10 – 11:10
Session: Transformational Gifts: Get in it to Win it
Speaker: Michael G. Cunningham, President & Principal, Cunningham Consulting
11:10 – 11:20
Break
11:20 – 12:20
Museum and Cultural Track: An Introduction to Planned Giving
Speaker: Deputy Chief Development Officer for Planned Giving, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
University and Research Track: An Introduction to Charitable Bequests
Speaker: Regina Ketting, Director of Gift Planning, Office of Alumni Relations and Development, Columbia University
12:20 – 13:20
Lunch
13:20 – 14:20
Museum and Cultural Track: Building a Donor Base Through Membership
Speaker: Thomas Baker, Associate Director of Individual Giving, AILEY
University and Research Track: Building a Donor Base Through Alumni Giving
Speaker: Gina Fiorillo, Assistant Vice President, Annual Giving, New York University
14:20 – 14:30
Break
14:30 – 15:30
Museum and Cultural Track: Getting Campaign Ready: Prepping for Success
Speaker: Jadrien Steele, Chief Development Officer, New York Public Library
University and Research Track: Getting Campaign Ready: Prepping for Success
Speaker: David Shanton, Vice President for College Advancement, Baruch College
15:30 – 15:40
Break
15:40 – 16:40
Session: Get the Information You Need to Do Good 101
Speaker: Catalina Spinel, Director of Partnerships, Candid
17:00 – 18:00
Cocktail Reception
Location: 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022
Day 4 – Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Location: 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022
8:00 – 8:50
Breakfast served
8:50 – 9:00
Announcements
9:00 – 10:00
Session: Tax-Efficient Giving in the United States: An Overview
Speaker: Robin Krause, Partner, Patterson Belknap LLP
10:00 – 10:10
Break
10:10 – 11:10
Session: Fundraising in the U.S. as a Complement to Efforts Developed at Home
Speakers:
Joshua J. Bell, Director of Development and Communications, American Friends of the Louvre
Wade Zamechek, Chief Development Officer, African Leadership Academy
11:10 – 11:20
Break
11:20 – 12:20
Session: An ‘American Friends Fund’ at Myriad USA – A Cost-Effective Solution to Raise Funds in the USA
Speaker: Ellena E. Fotinatos, Chief Operating Officer & Europe Lead, Myriad USA
12:20 – 13:20
Lunch
13:20 – 14:20
Session: Working with a Fundraising Consultant
Speakers:
Lindsay Marino Long, Vice President, Donor Engagement & Retention, Faircom New York
Susan Madon, MBA, CFRE, CEO and Founder, Minerva Nonprofit Management
14:20 – 14:30
Break
14:30 – 15:30
Session: Key Lessons Learned, Sharing of Ideas and Concluding Remarks
Speaker: Ellena E. Fotinatos, Chief Operating Officer & Europe Lead, Myriad USA