COURTESY METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART
Thom Collins, the executive director and president of the Barnes Foundation, announced today that Nina McNeely Diefenbach has been named deputy director for advancement. Diefenbach comes to the Barnes after 34 years at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she served as vice president for institutional advancement for the past 12 years. She is originally from Philadelphia, where the Barnes is now based.
In a statement, Collins said:
“It is a great pleasure to welcome Nina to the Barnes Foundation. With her proven track record of advancement leadership, expertise in audience and membership development, and extensive experience planning and executing capital initiatives, she is the ideal person to lead the Barnes Foundation’s new advancement division. Nina is a deeply respected colleague and I look forward to introducing her to the Barnes community.”
At the Met, Diefenbach managed the museum’s fundraising efforts and worked to increase its endowment, grow membership, and oversee special events. In her new position, she will work to “maximize and expand the Barnes Foundation’s public profile, membership, and visitorship, Diefenbach will lead a strategic, innovative and creative advancement,” according to a news release.
Diefenbach said in a statement:
“I have spent my professional career thus far at The Metropolitan Museum of Art–an institution I care for deeply and have watched flourish over the years. But it is with much enthusiasm that I return home to the great city of Philadelphia, and join one of its finest cultural treasures. The Barnes has achieved many milestones since the opening of its new building in May 2012–most recently, its one-millionth visitor this past fall. I look forward to the role I will play at the Barnes through its next chapter.”