SEGD has named Jessica W. London its new Chief Executive Officer effective October 15, 2010.
London, the former executive director of the not-for-profit French Heritage Society, comes to SEGD with an extensive background in arts- and design-related fundraising, communications, public relations, membership development, and management experience, including leadership of cultural institutions in the United States, Canada, and France.
"After an extensive search, we're thrilled to welcome Jessica to SEGD," said Wayne McCutcheon, principal of Entro Communications (Toronto) and president of SEGD. "We look forward to benefiting from her leadership skills and proven record focusing on development, partnership building, and communications."
Prior to joining SEGD, London spent four years leading the French Heritage Society, a New York-based group that supports architectural, cultural, and educational programs in France and the U.S. There, she focused on increasing membership and partner constituents, rebranded the organization's image, and instituted the first annual Internship for French Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
London previously served as vice president, Capital Campaign & External Affairs for the Museum of Arts & Design in New York, where she developed support for its new $60 million building campaign. As vice director for External Affairs at The Frick Collection, New York, she was responsible for strategic planning and management of the institution's development efforts and oversaw implementation of benefits and sponsor contracts. As vice president at Ruder Finn Arts & Communications Counselors, she developed profile-building programs for prominent cultural institutions. While senior vice president at Arts & Communications, one of Canada's leading sponsorship consulting firms, she helped foster partnerships between many of Canada's leading cultural institutions and corporations.
"It gives me great pleasure to be joining SEGD, succeeding the achievements of so many before me, and leading the 'way forward' at this turning point in the organization's evolution," commented London. "I look forward to expanding and promoting SEGD's remarkable programs and resources, securing new partners and sponsors, building membership nationally and internationally, and initiating new ventures that will take SEGD to places it hasn't been before."
In addition to her focus on creating and implementing fundraising programs, London has also developed and implemented new communications strategies and marketing tools to elevate institutional profile. She has collaborated on identity and branding campaigns for major cultural projects, and promoted organizations to national and international constituencies, including members, sponsors, media outlets, and the general public. She has represented cultural organizations at conferences such as ICOM (International Council on Museums) in Vienna, at Yale University, and at other events across the United States and in Europe.
"Jessica's experience and her passion for design, art, and architecture will serve SEGD well as we continue our work to increase awareness of EGD, promote best practices in our field, and provide educational resources for the international EGD community," says McCutcheon. "SEGD's Executive Committee and Board of Directors are excited to be working with Jessica in seeking new opportunities for SEGD."
London succeeds Leslie Gallery Dilworth, who retired in June after 12 years as SEGD executive director and CEO.