The Art & Science of Fundraising 2025
A Study Visit to New York for Senior Executives from Museums, Universities, Cultural and Research Institutions
New York City, April 6 – 9, 2025
Program
Day 1 – Sunday, April 6, 2025
Welcome Cocktail Reception at Skylark
Location: 200 West 39th St., New York, NY 10018
Time: 17:00 – 19:30
Speakers:
Ellena E. Fotinatos, Chief Operating Officer & Europe Lead, Myriad USA
S. David Wu, PhD, President, Baruch College
Susan J. Brady, Chief Development Officer, Carnegie Hall
Day 1 Survey: Help us improve next year’s event by taking a quick, anonymous survey here. It only takes a few minutes. Thank you!
Day 2 – Monday, April 7, 2025
Location: 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022
8:00 – 8:30
Breakfast 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
Speakers:
Michael G. Cunningham, President & Principal, Cunningham Consulting
Karaugh Brown, Chief Advancement Officer, Whitney Museum of American Art
10:00 – 10:10
Break
10:10 – 11:10
Museum and Cultural Track: The Strategic Planning Cycle
Speaker: Louise Mirrer, PhD, President & CEO, The New York Historical
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 University Advancement and Alumni Relations, Adelphi University
Marc S. Strachan, Chair, Board of Trustees, Adelphi University
11:10 – 11:20
Break
11:20 – 12:20
Museum and Cultural Track: Growing a Visual Arts Institution Without a Collection
Speaker: Diane Vivona, Vice President, Advancement, New Museum
University and Research Track: Factors Critical to Success in Major Gifts Fundraising
Speaker: Rose McSween, EdD, Chief Advancement Officer, Newark Academy
12:20 – 13:30
Lunch
13:30 – 14:30
Session: Comprehensive Campaigns: Public Launch to Successful Closure
Speaker: Adam J. Gerdtz, Senior Vice President, Philanthropy, New York Philharmonic
14:30 – 14:40
Break
14:40 – 15:40
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
15:40 – 15:50
Break
15:50 – 16:50
Museum and Cultural Track: Bringing Content to the Table
Speaker: Jonah Nigh, Vice President & Chief Advancement Officer, The Juilliard School
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
Free Evening
Day 2 Survey: Help us improve next year’s event by taking a quick, anonymous survey here. It only takes a few minutes. Thank you!
Day 3 – Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Location: 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022
8:00 – 8:55
Breakfast served
8:55 – 9:00
Announcements
9:00 – 10:00
Session: Transformational Gifts: Get in it to Win it
Speaker: Michael G. Cunningham, President & Principal, Cunningham Consulting
10:00 – 10:10
Break
10:10 – 11:10
Session: Corporate Membership and Corporate Sponsorship
Speakers:
Alexandra Cott, Associate Manager, Corporate Membership, Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and Museum
Lori Camilleri, Assistant Director of Corporate Development and Global Partnerships, Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and Museum
11:10 – 11:20
Break
11:20 – 12:20
Session: Building Support through the Engagement of Women and the Community
Speakers:
Sarah Rosen, Managing Director, Women@NJPAC, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Eyesha Marable, Assistant Vice President, Community Engagement, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center
12:20 – 13:30
Lunch
13:30 – 14:30
Session: Get the Information You Need to Do Good 101
Speaker: Arif Ekram, Senior Manager of Partnerships, Candid
14:30 – 14:40
Break
14:40 – 15:40
Museum and Cultural Track: An Introduction to Planned Giving
Speaker: John Bacon, Director of Planned Giving, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
University and Research Track: An Introduction to Planned Giving
Speaker: Regina Ketting, Director of Gift Planning, Columbia University
15:40 – 15:50
Break
15:50 – 16:50
Museum and Cultural Track: Building a Donor Base Through Membership
Speaker: Thomas Baker, Associate Director of Individual Giving, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
University and Research Track: Getting Ready for a Capital Campaign
Speaker: David Shanton, Vice President for College Advancement, Baruch College
17:00 – 18:00
Cocktail Reception
Day 3 Survey: Help us improve next year’s event by taking a quick, anonymous survey here. It only takes a few minutes. Thank you!
Day 4 – Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Location: 601 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022
8:00 – 8:55
Breakfast served
8:55 – 9:00
Announcements
9:00 – 10:00
Session: Fundraising in the U.S. as a Complement to Efforts Developed at Home
Speakers:
Sandra Diaz, PhD, Executive Director, University of the Andes Foundation
Susan A. Mathiesen, President, SAM Fundraising Solutions
10:00 – 10:10
Break
10:10 – 11:10
Session: Tax-Efficient Giving in the United States: An Overview
Speaker: Robin Krause, Partner, Patterson Belknap LLP
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 – 13:30
Lunch
13:30 – 14:30
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
14:30 – 14:40
Break
14:40 – 15:40
Session: Key Lessons Learned, Sharing of Ideas and Concluding Remarks
Speakers:
Addie Nelson Backlund, Principal, Addie Nelson Backlund Consulting, LLC
Ellena E. Fotinatos, Chief Operating Officer & Europe Lead, Myriad USA
Day 4 Survey: Help us improve next year’s event by taking a quick, anonymous survey here. It only takes a few minutes. Thank you!