Cara Pomponio Email & Phone Number

I joined Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) as Senior Director of Development Operations in October 2024. My experience includes fundraising from foundations, corporations, individual donors, and government agencies, as well as board relations, communications, management, operations and DEBI. SI have led and operationalized fundraising programs at nonprofit organizations both large (over $1B) and small ($1M) in Washington, DC including the arts, higher education, and think tanks.Prior to joining CSIS, I served as Managing Director of Development at Brookings where I managed the International Advisory Council and led the fundraising, stewardship and operations teams. I also held several roles at George Washington University including Executive Director of Development for The Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS), Interim Assistant Vice President of Development for CCAS, and Director of Corporate Relations. Early in my career, I worked at a variety of arts organizations, including Arena Stage, Kennedy Center, Smithsonian, Washington Performing Arts and CulturalDC.I received an MA in Creative Leadership from Minneapolis College of Art and Design in Aug 2023 and have a BA in French Literature from Boston College and a Master of Science in Management degree from National-Louis University. I also hold an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Georgetown University’s Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership and am a member of the Center’s Racial Equity Working Group. I grew up in Northern Virginia and have lived in DC for over 30 years. I have served on grants panels for area arts commissions including DC, Fairfax, VA and Montgomery County, MD. I am a former dancer and former union member and am passionate about making places and spaces accessible and inclusive for all.

Listed skills include Fundraising, Nonprofits, Grants, Grant Writing, and 46 others.