EXPERIENCE
Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, Denver, CO (2013 – 2026)
President and Chief Executive Officer
Oversee all operations of this prominent Denver-based Foundation established in 1962.
Direct all grant-making activities, currently comprising approximately $3-5 million in annual grant-making and program activity. The Foundation is the largest private foundation dedicated to funding the arts in Denver.
Oversee staff, including Chief Financial Officer and management of an endowment currently at approximately $85 million. Led a transition of the Foundation’s assets to an impact investing focus, involving a change of investment managers. To date, roughly 70% of investments are now values aligned, and developed a growing portfolio of impactful program related investments.
Oversee programs operated by the Foundation, including the Livingston Fellowship Program, focused on nonprofit leadership, and the Bonfils-Stanton Awards which has evolved into the Social Impact Artist Awards.
Serve as primary spokesperson for the Foundation, and as a thought leader at the local, state and national levels on issues of philanthropy and the arts.
Participate regularly in the Aspen Institute Seminar for Mid-America Foundation CEOs, National Arts Policy Roundtable, and other international, national, regional and local convenings and “think tank” gatherings.
Created Arts in Society in 2017, an innovative collaborative grantmaking initiative focused on socially-engaged artistic practice, granting over $6 million to date. In 2020-21 led the creation of the COVID Arts & Culture Relief Fund that directed over $2 million in funds to challenged small and mid-sized arts groups. In 2024 launched Equity in Arts Learning for Colorado Youth, a similar collaborative grant program
Directed outside assessment of Foundation and creation of new strategic and communications plan, including significant overhaul of web site and all communications functions. Created a new focus on storytelling, policy and advocacy to communicate the importance of an equitable, vibrant cultural sector.
Led focus on supporting local cultural journalism, including support of Colorado Public Radio, Rocky Mountain PBS, Confluence, and the Colorado Media Project.
Initiated enhanced focus of equity in grantmaking operations resulting in dramatic increase in funding directed towards organizations led by and serving people of color and other historically marginalized communities, as well as increased diversity of board and staff. This included a racial equity assessment of Foundation operations.
City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA (2008 – 2013)
Chief Cultural Officer | Director, Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy
Appointed by the Mayor as the City’s first Chief Cultural Officer, newly created Cabinet-level position.Re-established the City’s office of arts and culture, including assessing the City’s cultural programs and developing the Creative Philadelphia Vision Plan 2010-2014, City’s first comprehensive creative sector plan.
Created new nationally-recognized $500,000 grant program for creative economy, using Community Development Block Grant funds. Secured $250,000 in National Endowment for the Arts Recovery funding. Also, oversaw creation of an innovative creative assets data mapping project, CultureBlocks.
Initiated creation of “With Art” a $2 million cultural promotion campaign for the City with multiple partners, organized around the opening of the new Barnes on the Parkway.
Oversaw the Public Art program, Art in City Hall (including creation of a City Hall gallery space), and Philadelphia Cultural Fund, the city’s grantmaking program.
Served as the local partner for the launch and execution of the Knight Arts Challenge with the Knight Foundation, a three-year $9 million investment in cultural projects in the community. This included service on Knight’s national advisory body for their arts programs.
Americans for the Arts, New York, NY (2005– 2008)
Vice President of Private-Sector Affairs
Executive Director, Arts & Business Council of Americans for the Arts
Oversaw successful implementation of complex merger of Arts & Business Council Inc. with Americans for the Arts, created new private sector department at the nation’s leading national arts service organization. This included integration of Business Committee for the Arts into Americans for the Arts.
Continued operation of all signature Arts & Business Council programs, including the MetLife Foundation National Arts Forum Series serving 20 cities, with over $1 million in new support.
Brought the National Arts Marketing Project under Americans for the Arts management, including cumulative support by American Express of $5.5 million, and expanding the NAMP conference to an annual schedule serving over 600 participants.
Instrumental in shaping and executing the National Arts Policy Roundtable, in partnership with Robert Redford and Sundance, an arts policy think tank with elected officials, artists, journalists, patrons, academics, etc.
Maintain extensive schedule of speaking engagements around the country to arts councils, business, arts and civic leaders, and established strategic partnerships with such organizations as The Conference Board, Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy and Independent Sector.
Arts & Business Council Inc., New York, NY (1996-2005)
President & CEO (1996-2005)
Facilitated mutually beneficial partnerships between the arts and business, advancing business support for the arts nationally, including oversight of 35 city national affiliate network.
Oversaw all program activity, fundraising, marketing, planning, board relations, and financial management; supervised 14 full-time staff and budget of $2.5 million.
Notable accomplishments included: 1)Securing $4.5 million from American Express to launch and operate the National Arts Marketing Project, raising the marketing and audience development capacity of nonprofit arts groups. This included creating the National Arts Marketing Project as well as ArtsMarketing.org, the pre-eminent audience development Web site. 2) Created Arts & Business Quarterly, a trade newsletter on arts management and arts and business partnership issues. 3) Created several new city and statewide programs, including the Cultural Tourism Initiative, a grant and training program funded by the New York State Council on the Arts that distributed well over $1 million in grants.
Director of Programs (1993-1996)
Directed all New York City program activity, including management of Business Volunteers for the Arts (BVA), Multicultural Arts Management Internship Program, Van Lier Arts Management Fellowship Program, seminars, workshops and conferences. Increased arts membership by 50%, improved quality evaluations of BVA, chaired national BVA technology initiative resulting in $500,000 in donated computer equipment software and services.
National Actors Theatre, New York, NY (1991– 1992)
Executive Director
Directed launch of new classical repertory theatre founded by actor Tony Randall, with a budget of $7 million, presenting three-play season on Broadway. Responsible for overall management and planning, including development, marketing and finance. Oversaw acquisition of 28,000 subscribers, largest subscriber base of any theatre in New York City at the time. Total audience for first season exceeded 150,000 - over 90% of capacity. Fundraising efforts exceeded projections by $1.5 million, for total of over $4 million. Ended first season with $1 million surplus. Initiated educational outreach program serving thousands of New York City public school children.
New York State Council on the Arts, New York, NY (1988–1991)
Manager, Capital Funding Initiative
Oversaw distribution of over $4 million in capital grants and loans, as well as establishment of program guidelines, reports and procedures. Hired and supervised staff, conducted site reviews, prepared written grant reviews, and made presentations to review panels and Council. Created program to increase accessibility of cultural facilities and programs for people with disabilities.
Vineyard Theatre, New York, NY (1985-1988)
Managing Director
Responsible for all management functions of this nonprofit cultural institution that produced theatre, opera, jazz, chamber music, an art gallery and children's programs. Initiated and oversaw a successful $2.8 million capital campaign. Directed fundraising efforts that over three seasons increased contributions by 160%. Managed marketing efforts that increased subscriptions by 500%, and single-ticket revenue by 148%.
Independent Commercial Theatre Producer, New York, NY (1984-1988)
Launched The Producers Collaborative in 1984 with $100,000 in capital. Raised $275,000 through a limited partnership; produced Off Broadway production of Christopher Hampton’s Total Eclipse in 1985. Assembled the creative team for a production of Joe Orton’s Loot that was produced by Manhattan Theatre Club and moved to Broadway. In 1986, moved Goblin Market from the Vineyard Theatre to a commercial Off-Broadway venue. In 1987 raised $215,000 and mounted the original commercial production of the Vineyard’s Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill.
TEACHING, PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS
Guest lecturing and/or adjunct instruction at many colleges, including Drexel University, University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, Marymount Manhattan College, New York University, Baruch College, Fordham University, SUNY Purchase, University of Colorado-Denver, and Colorado State University.
Extensive speaking at workshops and conferences throughout the country, as well as abroad, on topics related to arts management, cultural policy, audience development, cultural philanthropy and creative placemaking, and cultural diplomacy.
Publication of numerous articles in trade publications, magazines, newsletters and Websites, Regular blogging on milehighculture.blogspot.com.
EDUCATION
New York University, Stern School, majority of coursework towards MBA
New York University, MA program in Arts Administration (coursework completed; transferred to MBA program)
New York University, Bachelor of Arts (dramatic literature and political science)
LEADERSHIP/AFFILIATIONS
Member, Board of Directors - Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (2026 - present); Stanley Partnership for Art, Culture and Education (SPACE), a subsidiary of the Colorado Educational and Cultural Facilities Authority – CECFA (2026-present); Denver Civic Arts Foundation – DCAF (2025-present); Grantmakers in the Arts (2014-2020); Clyfford Still Museum (2014-2018); Philanthropy Colorado (2014-2022, including service as Chair); Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Museum Advisory Board, Alliance for Nonprofit Management
National Conference Leadership - Have served as Chair or Co-Chair of conferences for such organizations as Grantmakers in the Arts, Americans for the Arts, American Alliance of Museums and Council on Foundations, in Denver, Philadelphia and New York City.
National Arts Advisory Committee - Knight Foundation (2010-2013)
Panelist - Numerous grant and award panels, including Nonprofit Day in Colorado, Knight Arts Challenge Philadelphia, ArtPlace America, Wallace Foundation and National Endowment for the Arts.
AWARDS/RECOGNITION
ArtDesk 100, Selected as one of the 100 top creators, thinkers and voices in the arts in America, who “evangelize for a better world in a way that transcends their own success.” (a national publication of the Kirkpatrick Foundation, 2024)
Barry’s Blog, WESTAF (now Creative West), Named one of the most influential arts leaders in U.S. (2015, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008)
Cultural Leadership Award, The Print Center, Philadelphia (2012)
Recognition Award, Fresh Artists, Philadelphia (2009)
Gala Award, Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts (2005)
Friend of Tourism Award, The Bronx Tourism Council (2003)
Statewide Recognition Award, Alliance of New York State Arts Organizations (2001)