Menu Chris Szep joined the Alliance for the Arts as Director of Development in April 2023. Chris brings to the Alliance an extensive background of fundraising, donor and volunteer engagement, and community development. For the past 16 years, she served as the vice president of community and government relations and college advancement at Cecil College in North East, Maryland, where she successfully led capital and annual fund campaigns, created highly anticipated fundraising events and received federal and state appropriations and grants to increase access to education and the arts.
Chris joined the staff at a critical time for the organization as it continues to recover from Hurricane Ian and continues to create pathways to the arts, increase accessibility and add arts education opportunities in Southwest Florida.
Her work in cultivating financial and other resources to advance art and design scholarships, the Milburn Stone Theatre and art initiatives at the college and throughout the North East community was recognized with Chris being awarded the Mary A. Maloney Distinguished Service Award by the college last year. While fundraising has been the main role in Chris’ professional life, she has also lent her development skills throughout her lifelong volunteer work. Serving on numerous boards, Chris has furthered the work of nonprofit organizations, and has rebranded and marketed Arts and Entertainment Districts to increase tourism. She also previously served as vice president of advancement, US Coast Guard Academy Parents Association Board where she was responsible for financial and other resource development to support the USCGA Corps of Cadets and to expand understanding and appreciation of the Academy.
