Debra Wimpfheimer Email & Phone Number

New York, NY, US

Queens, New York, United States

• Oversee key initiatives with a particular focus on strategic planning, operations and future growth. Responsibilities and accomplishments: Strategy and Leadership:
• Develop an overall strategy for health and stability in collaboration with the Executive Director.
• Spearheaded Phase II of a $32m capital project, securing $12m in City capital funding for Queens’ inaugural children’s museum.
• Oversee all fundraising efforts resulting in 60% overall increase in annual budget since 2002.
• Established key partnerships, including a collaboration with Delta AirLines for public art commissions at LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal C.Governance and Board Relations:
• Manage 23-member Board of Trustees, facilitating the addition of 13 new members since 2019.

Queens, New York

• Responsible for stewarding the institution through an organizational crisis and leadership transition. Successfully navigated challenges, ensuring continuity and stability.Leadership:
• Steered finance, programming, fundraising, external relations, and physical plant during a critical organizational crisis and leadership transition.Stakeholder Engagement & Fundraising:
• Leveraged extensive relationships with elected officials, foundations, corporate, and individual donors, ensuring financial stability.
• Secured major gifts from government, foundation, corporate, and individual sources.Strategic Initiatives & Communications:
• Implemented a comprehensive crisis management and communications plan for staff and Board of Trustees, fostering transparency and trust.
• Selected lead architect for the final phase of the museum’s capital project.Fundraising

Queens, NY

• Managed museum programming and administration departments, including curatorial, education, public events and community engagement, finance, human resources and development.
• Oversaw, sought out and supported innovative partnerships and collaborations with major civic, educational and community-based organizations, including a multi-year partnerships with the Queens Library and Queens.
• Acted as staff liaison for major corporate, foundation and individual donors, Board of Trustees, Advisory Committee and affiliate groups.
• Advised senior management in areas of strategic policy and fundraising.

Queens, New York

Responsible for managing daily operations through a leadership transition.

Queens, NY

• Liaised with key stakeholders for community engagement and capacity building initiatives in all program areas and administration in advance of the Queens Museum’s capital expansion. Partners included Queens Library.
• Managed major gifts, annual individual fundraising and stewardship program for Board of Trustees, Advisory Committee and affiliation groups. Instituted the Adopt-A-Building program to raise funds for the Museum’s famed.
• Initiated, cultivated and stewarded new business relationships including the Museum’s exclusive catering contracts.
• Organized all annual fundraising and special events including the museum’s Gala, Family Fundraiser, Business and Legislative Breakfast, and all VIP events associated with the museum’s reopening in November 2013.

New York, NY

• Assisted in the management of Lincoln Center’s 50th Anniversary celebration. Organized a coalition of key staff from each of the 12 participating organizations to create programming in honor of the Anniversary.
• Planned 50th Anniversary exhibition at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
• Implemented a new fundraising initiative that provided for the ongoing care and maintenance of Lincoln Center facilities entitled, Lincoln Center Conservancy.

Queens, NY

• Oversaw all fundraising activities for general operating expenses and program support including institution’s corporate, foundation, individual membership and space rental programs.
• Responsible for government affairs and community outreach. Included working closely with elected representatives, government officials and community associations to secure financial support and raise museum’s profile.
• Represented the museum on the Government Affairs Committee of the New York City Cultural Institutions Group and on the Flushing Meadows Corona Park Coordinating Committee.
• Worked closely with Queens Museum of Art board members on special projects including annual gala and spearheading the Museum’s first Junior Committee.
• Managed membership and grant writer positions.

Boston, MA

• Annual Fund Coordinator, February 2000 to December 2001
• Directed efforts for BMC Annual Fund to support vital hospital social service programs.
• Instituted and implemented strategies for increasing revenue through identification and stewardship of major prospects and through several direct mail campaigns.
• Directed and coordinated stewardship and planning for annual fundraising events generating over $1 million in revenue, including the management and coordination of all internal and external volunteers.
• Managed Employee Giving Campaign. Responsible for increasing revenue by 100% in 2001.Development Associate, February 1999 – February 2000
• Reported to Vice President of Development as a member of the first development office for BMC. Responsible for implementing new systems for gift tracking, gift acknowledgements, program marketing, direct mail.

Boston, MA