Culture/The Arts

National Portrait Gallery

American Portrait Gala

Managed selection and oversight of vendors, helped conceive design, and handled logistics for the sold-out, inaugural fundraising event consisting of a VIP backstage reception, general reception and dinner for 550 guests with awards program emceed by Gwen Ifill and Judy Woodruff and performance by Aretha Franklin in the Kogod Courtyard of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Portrait of a Nation Prize recipients included American Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Henry “Hank” Aaron presented by Rep. John Lewis, U.S. Marine and Medal of Honor-recipient Cpl. Kyle Carpenter presented by Gen. Joseph Dunford, singer and musician Aretha Franklin presented by former Attorney General Eric Holder, fashion designer Carolina Herrera presented by film director Lee Daniels and designer and artist Maya Lin presented by architect David Adjaye.

American Portrait Gala Host Committee Dinner

Provided logistical support for an intimate dinner held the evening prior to the American Portrait Gala. Portrait of a Nation Prize recipients and 50 special guests attended the event hosted by His Excellency Gerard Araud, Ambassador of France, in his residence with a performance by Kathleen Battle.

Photo by Tony Powell

Cultivation Dinner for the American Portrait Gala

Held six months prior to the Gala, founding Co-Chairs Wayne and Catherine Reynolds hosted a private dinner in the Mansfield Room of the U.S. Capitol for 75 special guests with awards presentations to Senators Diane Feinstein, Roy Blunt, and Thad Cochran and Representative Debbie Dingell with presentations by David Rubenstein, author Rick Atkinson, and Dr. Tony Fauci.

Friends of Florence

Michelangelo and His Revolutionary Legacy: Exploring the Path of Del Sarto, Pontormo, and Rosso Fiorentino, June 2015

Assisted with implementation of 4 day educational, social, and off-site visits for 32 guests in Florence, Rome and to the Vatican’s Pauline Chapel and the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo expert, Dr. William Wallace, and historian Dr. Bill Cook. Visits to private collections, homes, and labs usually closed to the public. Concluding celebratory dinner at the feet of the “David,” and among Michelangelo's “Slaves” and masterpieces by Pontormo and Andrea del Sarto at the Accademia Gallery in Florence.

Robert Shaw: Man of Many Voices

Organized a private donor gathering for a preview of the new documentary on the life of conductor Robert Shaw held at a private club in Atlanta, Georgia.

Friends of Florence

Provided fundraising support and event planning and logistics for the traveling exhibit of Ghiberti’s panels from the Gates of Paradise at the High Museum, Atlanta, GA; Art Institute of Chicago; the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York; and the Seattle Art Museum. Assisted with logistics for the exclusive dinner for supporters of the renovation of Michelangelo's David at the Galleria dell' Accademia in Florence. Organized Friends of Florence donor events surrounding the Getty Museum and High Museum exhibition installations of Leonardo da Vinci and the Art of Sculpture. In October 2012 organized an all day visit to Washington, D.C. for board members and major donors including meeting with Italian Ambassador Bisogniero, exclusive visit to the restoration labs and Renaissance painting halls at the National Gallery of Art, and private dinner at The Hay Adams.

American Architectural Foundation

Accent on Architecture Gala

From 2013 to 2017, helped conceive fundraising strategy and provided sponsorship outreach for the 400-guest black-tie event held at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC. No event is scheduled for 2018.

Arlington County Cultural Affairs and Rosslyn BID

Gala Opening of Artisphere

Provided event planning and fundraising support for the gala opening of Artisphere, Metro DC’s cultural center located in a 60,000 square foot campus in Rosslyn (formerly the Newseum space). Sheila Johnson and Judge William Newman Co-Chaired the arts-filled festive evening attended by 350 guests.

National Geographic Museum

Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China's First Emperor

Provided marketing consultation services and logistical planning for the promotion of this sold-out exhibition - the largest collection of significant artifacts from China ever to travel to the U.S. Efforts included a citywide thrust, working with DestinationDC and Cultural Tourism DC, along with numerous other partner businesses, organizations, and institutions.

American Associates of the Royal National Theatre

Provided fundraising consultation and support surrounding the opening
of Phedre, starring Helen Mirren, at the Harman Center for the Arts with a dinner hosted by British Ambassador and Lady Sheinwald.

Planet Arlington World Music Festival

Consulted on fundraising, marketing, and logistics for this new, signature event for Arlington County, Virginia, featuring renowned international performers on the grounds of the National Park Service's Netherlands Carillon.