Higher ed professional with 20 years+ of experience producing cultural events, engagement programs and social impact and diversity initiatives.Alex Tapnio (he/him) is an executive leader in higher education and arts administration having worked at some of our nation's top arts universities and corporate social impact programs. Over the course of his career he has managed programs that have provided millions of dollars in resources to talented teenagers and college bound creatives, and has gathered thousands of arts and design educators and professionals in support of the next generation of arts and business leaders at top industry corporations, museums, galleries, universities and performance halls.He currently serves as the lead engagement and annual giving officer at The New School, Parsons School of Design, a design and social research university in Manhattan dedicated to creativity, innovation, and social justice. In this role, Alex manages a global portfolio of constituent engagement to inspire graduates to gather, announce achievements, and support students through volunteerism and philanthropy.Previously, Alex worked in student and alumni engagement positions at Columbia University School of the Arts and The Cooper Union Institute for Advancement of Science and Art. Prior to higher education, he worked in corporate grantmaking and social impact initiatives providing business investments in diverse talent and multicultural audiences while working at the Time Warner Foundation, Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, and the J.P. Morgan Chase Foundation. Along the way he has served the international arts community through internships and volunteer positions at the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the United States National Gallery of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers.Alex earned a MA in Visual Arts Administration from New York University, and BA Art History, BS Biology from Indiana University, where he serves on the IU Alumni Association's MetroNY Chapter Board as President and is a Member of the Executive Council on Diversity, Equity Inclusion, and Belonging Committee. He's also a trained printmaker, jewelry fabricator, and ceramicist. He currently lives with his partner of 13 years, cat Pippin, and dog Biscuit in Astoria, NY.
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Assistant Vice President, Alumni Engagement And Annual Giving ProgramsThe New School Dec 2021 - PresentNew York, Ny, Us● Oversee the delivery of comprehensive suite of alumni and parent engagement activities including reunions, Alumni Days, regional gatherings, online events and lifelong learning opportunities● Strategically lead the AEAGP team in executing comprehensive alumni and parent volunteer programs for fundraising, student recruitment, and mentoring as well as a comprehensive peer to peer networking platform● Design, lead, and execute the development of annual goals and objectives, operating plans, budgets, and staffing structure for the Alumni Engagement, Annual Giving Programs and Special Events team● Build effective collaborations across the department and other areas of the university such as Office of Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice, Student Success, Enrollment Management, Marketing, and the Offices of the Deans, Provost and President● Hire, supervise, mentor and evaluate a team of 6 Engagement, Communications, Events, Development, and Annual Giving personnel● Oversee the execution of a robust direct marketing program for TNS annual giving by deploying targeted solicitations across all channels for donor acquisition, renewal and retention● Lead Annual Fund's efforts to increase unrestricted support from alumni and parents, with particular focus on leadership gifts of $1,000+● Direct the special events productions for Parsons Benefit ($2 million revenue), City Visionary Awards Alumni Dinner ($200,000 revenue) and donor cultivation events in the US and abroad● Oversee a robust volunteer leadership pipeline for Alumni Trustees, Executive Alumni Council, and Affinity and Community Councils● Direct the implementation of a strategic communications plan in partnership with Marketing & Communications colleagues to activate and engage a diverse population of alumni and parents utilizing a multi-channel approach through digital, print, and in-person efforts● Serve as senior leadership within the Office of Development and Alumni Engagement -
Interim Assistant Vice President, Alumni Engagement And Annual Giving ProgramsThe New School Jul 2021 - Dec 2021New York, Ny, Us● Elevated from Associate Director to realign the alumni engagement function for the coming school year● Produced first virtual Alumni Day and Supporter Summit, and participated as a leader on the Presidential Investiture planning committee● Collaborated with the Investiture Planning consultant to spotlight alumni leadership during the Presidential festivities. ● Prepared for the arrival of a new SVP of Development and Alumni Engagement● Strengthened internal team and campus partnerships in the midst of tremendous institutional transition during the pandemic, “the great resignation” and university-wide reorganization of positions● Launched Alumni Community, affinity groups—Regional, Inclusive/Identity, and Career Groups—in consultation with the Offices of Global Partnerships and Enrollment and Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
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Associate Director, Alumni EngagementThe New School Aug 2019 - Aug 2021New York, Ny, Us● Designed programs to engage an 85,000 alumni community in support of student studies in innovation, the arts, the environment, and advocacy● Oversaw and produced alumni engagement events including Alumni Day, Parsons Reunion, and Think and Drink: Alumni & Professor talks series● Directed production of national and international events in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seoul, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Mumbai, Singapore, Paris● Directed volunteerism of alumni and parents to engage our community members in the career development of students and recent graduates including alumni mentors, admissions ambassadors, Network influencers, and industry expert speakers● Increased participation of Alumni and Student Affairs initiatives such as career fairs, networking, and graduation celebratory events● Launched Alumni Council and planned Communities programs with governance and association guidelines to reach globally, diverse constituency● Launched The New School Network (Graduway), a relational CRM and social media platform to measure meaningful engagement metrics● Established MadeNEW Market, a business directory (Graduway) of alumni businesses and services with an initial membership of 175 and growing● Administered alumni benefits including MetLife Insurance, Alumni Mastercard, discounts for continuing education, hotels, rentals, and products● Directed a team of 2 (Manager, Associate) to produce the alumni program
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Adjunct Instructor92Nd Street Y Dec 2023 - PresentNew York, Ny, UsTeaching Introduction to Enameling and Jewelry on Sunday afternoons. -
Associate Director, Program Administration, Arts InitiativeColumbia University In The City Of New York Jul 2017 - Mar 2019New York, Ny, Us● Administered an extensive arts audience development program to engage ivy-league students with the NYC cultural community ● Directed a microgrants program which invested funds annually in 40 student-created projects and showcases of talent, diversity, creativity and culture. Funds granted toward exhibitions, publications, and events, reaching over 5,000 student audience members and performers● Acted as Department Authority to manage HR, Finance, and Organizational matters for Columbia University Arts Initiative● Supervised the communications strategy for Arts Initiative e-communications, website, ticketing systems, and social media ● Participated as a staff member on the Race, Diversity, and Inclusion university-wide committee to support DEI efforts ● Directed a team of 3 (Managers for Communications, Ticketing, and Finance) to produce programs within a $700,000 budget -
Associate Director, Alumni AffairsThe Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science And Art Oct 2014 - Jul 2017New York, Ny, Us● Championed current generations of innovative and talented students through alumni programs and support of the Cooper Union Annual Fund● Produced annual Alumni Reunion Weekend, a three-day college immersion experience and year-round giving campaign● Collaborated with the School Deans and Major Gifts Officers on regional alumni, parents, and friends events. Presentations by the President and Deans were arranged by my team at Autodesk, ExxonMobil, Morgan Stanley, The Broad, SFMOMA, Boston Pops, and more● Produced Parents Day and Parents Forum programming and quarterly communications on behalf of Development and Student Affairs● Managed volunteer programs including hosting events, Reunion committee, Cooper Cares—community volunteering, Cooper Together Founder’s week/global alumni celebration, and Alumni-Student Mentorships and Internships● Collaborated with Communications on the web, weekly alumni newsletters, print and digital invites, and post-event solicitations● Directed a team of 3 (Senior Associate, Manager, Consultant) to produce the alumni program within a $600,000 budget -
Associate Manager, Marketing And Employee Programs, Corporate ResponsibilityWarnermedia Jun 2011 - Jul 2014New York, Ny, Us● Launched and expanded the TW Impact volunteerism campaign in concert with Internal Communications and division companies● Managed nonprofit relationships with arts sponsorships including the NYPhil Free Concerts in the Parks and BAM Next Wave Festival● Managed employee resource groups with their events and philanthropic efforts. Groups included Latinx, Black, Asian, LGBTQ, and Women● Assisted in diversity inclusion philanthropic investments and memberships with NAACP, Center for Talent Innovation, and Asia Society● Managed youth development pipeline relationships serving high-risk, high-talent youth including Posse Foundation, Emma Bowen, SEO ● Managed the award selection and event production for the CEO’s Richard Parsons Awards Recognition Luncheon which gathered international EVPs, SVPs from the corporate and division companies and influential guests to celebrate global volunteerism and community development● Collaborated with Global Marketing and Communications on intranet and blog content to publicize the philanthropy of division companies● Supported the VP of Philanthropic Initiatives, Executive Director of Corporate Responsibility, and Executive Director of Diversity -
Senior Manager, National Programs, Scholastic Art & Writing AwardsScholastic Jul 2008 - Jun 2011New York, Ny, Us● Directed the world’s longest-running, largest, and most prestigious awards program for talented teenagers providing opportunities for recognition, exhibition, publication and scholarships totaling $250,000 in cash awards and up to $8 million in tuition support ● Directed business operations with the regional affiliate network to execute Scholastic community relations programming across 100 marketsThis included collaborating with Chicago Public Schools, LA Unified School District, Boston Globe, Milwaukee Museum of Art, AZ and NM Arts ● Led the Program Committee and Regional Affiliate Committee of the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers board of directors● Produced awards ceremonies at Carnegie Hall, Corcoran Gallery, Brooklyn Museum, New York University, Columbia University● Recruited over 70 artists, writers, and professionals to present artists and business workshops during the national awards celebration week ● Launched a microgrants program which annually funded full-tuition scholarships to 75 high-risk, high-potential youth at summer studies ● Directed a team of 4 (Managers for regional, national, exhibitions, and communications) to administer programs within a $1.1 million budget● Reported directly to the Executive Director, Alliance for Young Artists & Writers/VP for Community Relations of Scholastic -
Manager, Nyc And National Awards ProgramsScholastic Aug 2003 - Jul 2008New York, Ny, Us
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Program Volunteer, Family Programs: Assist Teaching Artists With Family Art WorkshopsThe Museum Of Modern Art Dec 2004 - Dec 2006New York, Ny, Us● Volunteer 5 hours per weekend to set up art studio supplies and chaperone groups with a museum education staff● Guide families through prescribed arts and crafts activities including drawing, polaroid photography, linocut printmaking, and self-portrait mixed media -
Program Assistant For Arts & Culture, Corporate Social ResponsibilityJpmorgan Chase & Co. Dec 2001 - Dec 2002New York, Ny, Us● Researched heritage banks’ histories of culture philanthropy to demonstrate the firm’s commitment to the arts to executive leadership ● Assisted VP, Arts and Culture in initial review and analysis of sponsorships for arts, community, and education organizations● Managed grant application entry into GIFTS database to assess the open call for grant proposals for general operating support through the foundation and corporate sponsorships through the firm● Assisted in the production of the JPMorgan Chase Summer Art Series, a free festival of events designed to attract art audiences to Lower Manhattan in the aftermath of 9/11/01 -
Intern, Corporate RelationsNational Gallery Of Art Jun 2001 - Aug 2001Washington, Dc, Us -
Intern, Fund For The MetThe Metropolitan Museum Of Art Jan 2001 - May 2001New York, Ny, Us -
Curatorial Assistant, MalacologyThe Academy Of Natural Sciences Jan 2000 - Jun 2000Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Us -
Volunteer For The Registrar, Institute Of Contemporary ArtUniversity Of Pennsylvania Jun 1999 - Aug 1999Philadelphia, Pa, Us
Alex Tapnio Education Details
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Indiana University BloomingtonHistory Of Art -
New York UniversityVisual Arts Administration
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Indiana University BloomingtonBiology
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Scholastic Art AwardsNational Portfolio Silver Medal
Frequently Asked Questions about Alex Tapnio
What company does Alex Tapnio work for?
Alex Tapnio works for The New School
What is Alex Tapnio's role at the current company?
Alex Tapnio's current role is The New School - AVP, Alumni & Annual Giving.
What schools did Alex Tapnio attend?
Alex Tapnio attended Indiana University Bloomington, New York University, Indiana University Bloomington, Scholastic Art Awards.
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