EAST HAMPTON, NY.- Kristin Eberstadt has officially joined the Guild Hall team as Director of Philanthropy. She began her career in advertising at Saatchi & Saatchi in Japan before moving her focus toward education. After classroom teaching and mentoring, Eberstadt became involved with East Hampton’s Ross School where she helped transform the student body and fiscal landscape as Director of Admissions, Executive Director, and Director of Institutional Advancement. Under her leadership, Ross School reached record enrollment and the largest number of boarding students in New York from more than 27 countries. She last served as Director of Admissions at WeGrow, The We Company’s conscious entrepreneurial school in NYC.

Eberstadt has lived in nine countries, is fluent in multiple languages, and is passionate about supporting the arts and creative pursuits. She has a M.S.E. from Long Island University, New York and a B.A. in International Relations from Sophia University, Japan. Eberstadt enjoys discovering new places, getting to know people from all over the globe, and considers herself a student of life.

When asked about her new position at Guild Hall, she said, “I'm looking forward to getting to know our patrons and what we mean to them, so that we can share that excitement with others. I want people to feel the impact their gifts have. Giving to something that moves your soul is a wonderful feeling, and chances are you are affecting others in the room by doing that. What could be better? I'm also looking forward to promoting multi-generational creative exchange. I think we are better because of those who came before us and those looking ahead.”

Eberstadt will also be taking a leadership position in the programming and execution of Guild Hall’s key fundraising events including its gala on August 9. Among the changes she has already made, she has secured Julianne Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Vito Schnabel on the host committees. This year’s gala will take place at Mulford Farm in East Hampton, adjacent to Guild Hall. Eberstadt says, “The central location is strategic in that this will be a party you literally cannot miss, and won't want to once you see what's going on inside.”

Additionally, Eberstadt and the team are enlivening the format of the gala to include hands-on artistic experiences, a live music performance and an afterparty with appeal to Guild Hall’s younger Contemporary Circle members. She has engaged Hamptons Magazine as the media partner for the gala, Bob Colacello as the emcee and Mia Moretti as the DJ.