Sally Benner is chief development officer, directing the American Academy in Rome’s fundraising, events, and cultivation initiatives. She joined AAR in 2023 from the University of Oxford, North America. Her background includes specialization in higher-education development and strategic communications, with experience gained from campaigns with Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, New York University, and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan. Benner holds academic degrees from Columbia, NYU, and Fordham University.