The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) has selected Christine Brabender as Vice President of Development, following an executive search process led by Arts Consulting Group (ACG). She began her tenure on April 30, 2023.
In this new role, Brabender will engage, build existing and potential donors, and champion direct fundraising to support the expansion of MOLAA’s spaces. Brabender is a trusted development leader fluent in philanthropy, fundraising, communications, marketing, and in ushering transformative support to organizations in the United States and New Zealand. Most recently, Brabender served as Director of Development at the University of Waikato, New Zealand, where she successfully secured major gifts and sponsorships to advance the university’s excellence. Brabender also facilitated a private consulting practice that is dedicated to strategic communications, fundraising, and art making. She has worked with a range of organizations, including the Art Institute of Chicago, where she crafted the internal case for a multi-million-dollar campaign to solicit six-figure gifts for a major facility expansion. Other clients include the Gene Siskel Film Center, Chicago Botanic Garden, and International Children's Foundation Centre.
Brabender is actively engaged in community-focused work, serving in varying capacities, including as an advisory board member at Dance & Arts Therapy NZ and advisory trustee at Ngā Manu Nature Reserve. Brabender received a bachelor of arts from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, Illinois.
In making the announcement, MOLAA’s President & CEO Dr. Lourdes Ramos said, “As MOLAA becomes an internationally recognized institution known for provoking admiration and intrigue through its exhibitions and programs, we needed someone with Christine’s experience and finesse to help us generate support and strategic partnerships to bring in the support necessary to continue to expand our programs and impact and grow our influence.”
“Art has been a buoy for me in challenging times and continues to be an inspiring lantern on my path,” said Brabender. “Serving as Vice President of Development at MOLAA is a dream opportunity and I’m fully aware of just how special it is given the impact Covid has had on art museums around the world.”
“Congratulations to the MOLAA on welcoming Christine as their new Vice President of Development at a critical moment of growth for the museum,” said ACG Vice President Shawn D. Ingram. “Christine is a passionate visionary with an exceptional tenacity that is driven by the desire to support MOLAA’s mission and to secure its exciting path forward.”
June 2023