Contact: Jennifer Myers
Deputy Director of Communications
The Aspen Institute
Tel. 202-736-2906
jennifer.myers@aspeninstitute.org
Aspen, CO, March 9, 2010–– The Aspen Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristen B. Loden as its Vice President for Development, effective March 1, 2010. In this newly created position, Loden will guide strategic planning for several key fundraising initiatives and manage the Institute’s Development programs and staff in Aspen. She will work directly under Susan Sherwin, the Institute’s Executive Vice President for Development.
“When we hired Kristen last August to serve as our Senior Development Officer, we already knew that we had a seasoned development professional in our midst—one who is truly a member of and understands our Aspen community,” said Amy Margerum, the Aspen Institute’s Executive Vice President of Operations and Corporate Secretary. “Since that time, she has exceeded our expectations, helping strengthen the Institute’s presence in Aspen, and that is why we’re pleased to promote her to the role of vice president.”
Susan Sherwin echoed these sentiments, adding, “We are delighted to have Kristen join our team.”
Loden’s considerable career has taken her to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Juilliard School, and the Alley Theatre in Houston, where she held the position of executive director of development. During her tenure at the Alley Theatre, Loden managed a multi-faceted annual fundraising program and oversaw a capital campaign that raised $27.5 million in support of capital projects and endowment enhancement. Under her leadership, the Alley secured major sponsorships from leaders in the energy industry, launched a patron group for young professionals, and formed numerous community partnerships that raised the Theatre’s profile locally and nationally.
Before relocating to the Aspen area in 2007, Loden served as executive director of Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC), a nonprofit visual arts center that houses two exhibition spaces and a retail gallery and operates a competitive artist residency program. She successfully negotiated to bring the exhibition Craft in America: Expanding Traditions to HCCC, making Houston one of only eight cities in the US to receive the landmark survey of fine craft in its inaugural tour.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I can say that we are pleased with the appointment of Kristen Loden to Vice President for Development, and we trust she will add her appreciable expertise to our already strong Development team, led by Susan Sherwin,” said Robert K. Steel, chairman of the Aspen Institute.
A passionate advocate for excellence in nonprofit advancement, Loden has advised and addressed a range of professional groups and students and has consulted with The Buddy Program in Aspen and the Third Street Center in Carbondale, among other organizations. Her writing projects include a feature article on strategic philanthropy published in the Aspen Philanthropist magazine (Winter 2007/08).
Loden holds degrees from Rice University (BM) and the University of Houston (MM) and currently serves on the Board of COMPASS…for Lifelong Discovery, a nonprofit organization that promotes experiential learning and operates three progressive schools in the Roaring Fork Valley. She and her husband, Matthew Loden, who serves as general manager of the Aspen Music Festival and School, live near Carbondale with their eight-year-old daughter.
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