MEMPHIS, TN.- The Dixon Gallery and Gardens in Memphis, TN has expanded the role of Chantal Drake, the current Director of Communications and Strategic Engagement, to Director of Development and Communications. Drake will assume her new responsibilities in early September, and will guide the Dixon’s fundraising, membership, planned giving, and corporate partnership programs, as well as continue to oversee the museum’s marketing and messaging. The Director of Development position has been vacant since July 2019.

As Director of Development and Communications, Chantal Drake will institute greater alignment between the departments responsible for two areas key to the Dixon’s success: revenue generation via philanthropy and audience growth. Among her most immediate goals are expanding the corporate partners program, growing and diversifying the Dixon membership, increasing the endowment, and executing new friend/fundraising plans. She will continue to manage the marketing, branding, and digital and traditional communications efforts for the museum and gardens, as well as oversee the redesign of the Dixon website in 2020.

Kevin Sharp, the Linda W. and S. Herbert Rhea Director of the Dixon, announced Drake’s promotion to the staff and Trustees in late August, noting that: “Chantal Drake is a highly competent, hardworking, and multi-talented contributor at the Dixon. This move is designed to create stronger recognition for our supporters, more value for our members, and better integration of our fundraising and strategic communications. Chantal has been at the Dixon for nine years and is a proven leader.”

Drake started at the Dixon as an intern in 2010. She was hired as communications associate later that year, promoted to Director of Communications in 2012, and acquired her current title in 2018. She has a bachelor’s degree in art history from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and her master’s degree in art history and Museum Studies Certification from the University of Memphis. She completed the prestigious Getty Leadership Institute program earlier in 2019.