Rena Blades, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Palm Beach County Cultural Council is pleased to announce Mary G. Lewis as the Council’s new Director of Development.

Ms. Lewis has over 18 years of professional experience in the successful management of capital campaigns, annual campaigns, corporate and foundation relations, as well as marketing and communication strategies. She has extensive experience in donor development, strategic planning, capital campaigns, marketing, board development, special event expertise and grant writing.

Ms. Lewis has been instrumental in establishing corporate sponsorship programs at the Hanley Center Foundation, Palm Beach Atlantic University, The Academy of the Palm Beaches, Palm Beach County Public Affairs Office and the Norton Museum of Art.
Ms. Lewis has worked for the Norton Museum of Art, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Hanley Center Foundation, the Academy of the Palm Beaches (now Palm Beach Day Academy), St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and School, and the Montreal Expos Baseball Team.

Ms. Lewis has written successful grant applications for numerous major organizations, including: The Kresge Foundation, State of Florida Cultural Institutions Program and Cultural Facilities Program Grants, Quantum Foundation, Janirve Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts and the Alpha Omega Foundation.

Ms. Lewis is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professions (AFP) and formerly the scholarship chair. She has also held volunteer leadership positions as the chair of the City of West Palm Beach Special Events Advisory Committee, co-chair of the Marathon of the Palm Beaches Kids K and Marathon Mile, Palm Beach Post Pathfinder Scholarship Judge and the advisory board of Cardinal Newman High School Quarterback Club.

Ms. Lewis received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is also a guest lecturer across the state on Corporate and Foundation Relations and Campaign Strategy.
In her new position, Ms. Lewis will report directly to Rena Blades. She can be reached directly at 561.472.3340, or mlewis@palmbeachculture.com. She began her post on June 1.

About the Palm Beach County Cultural Council:

The Cultural Council is now located in the historic Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. Building, 601 Lake Avenue in downtown Lake Worth. The 12,500 square feet building contains galleries for exhibitions, the Uniquely Palm Beach Store, tourism services, and education and training facilities. It is open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Cultural Council is Palm Beach County's official arts agency and serves non-profit cultural organizations and professional artists throughout the county. The Cultural Council's responsibilities include marketing the county's cultural experiences to visitors and residents, administering grants to organizations and artists, expanding arts and cultural education opportunities, advocating for funding and arts-friendly policies, and serving cultural organizations and artists through capacity building training and exposure to funders and audiences. For more information, please visit www.palmbeachculture.com.