The American Academy in Rome is pleased to announce its selection for a new Vice President for Development, Marilyn Hernández, who started her role on October 19. Hernández joins the Academy after serving as deputy chief development officer for individual giving at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where she maintained a dynamic portfolio of 250+ individuals with the capacity to make major and principal gifts.
Hernández brings her broad fundraising experience across a variety of academic and cultural institutions to this critical role. As a member of the senior leadership team, she will work closely with Academy President and CEO Mark Robbins, members of the Board of Trustees, and senior staff to develop and implement key fundraising strategies, translate institutional priorities into major gift fundraising programs, and establish long and short-term development plans to sustain growth. Hernández’s expertise will be especially beneficial as the Academy prepares to embark on a new capital campaign.
“It is an honor to be selected to lead the Development efforts at the American Academy in Rome,” Hernández said. “I am inspired by the Academy’s vision for the future as an institution that embraces a global and contemporary ethos, yet remains rooted in its meaningful history and legacy. I look forward to collaborating with the talented staff and dedicated Trustees to ensure that AAR continues to provide a unique and transformative experience for the artists, writers, musicians, and scholars it welcomes every year. I am delighted to join and serve this community and its members in New York, Rome, and around the world.”
During her time at the Met, Hernández was responsible for soliciting major gifts of six to seven figures to support endowed positions, acquisitions, unrestricted support, and other institutional priorities. She established the Latin American Art Initiative, engaging a group of esteemed art collectors from around the world to support acquisitions and programs, and worked closely with curators and the initiative’s chair to cultivate new and existing members. In addition, Hernández planned and executed several international cultivation events, including the Art Basel Miami Beach annual cocktail reception, the Costume Institute’s 2018 dinner in Rome, and private collection visits in Madrid and Los Angeles.
Prior to the Met, Hernández served as senior director of development at the Columbia University Medical Center. Earlier positions included manager of major gifts at the New York City Ballet and assistant director of the Columbia College Fund at Columbia University. She began her development career managing alumni relations at the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art.
Hernández earned a BS in communications, with a focus on art history and advertising, from Boston University, and an MA in nonprofit visual arts administration from New York University’s Steinhardt School of Education.