GLOUCESTER, MASS.- The Cape Ann Museum welcomed Kathleen (Kate) Cooke Ryan as the Museum’s new Chief Philanthropy Officer.

Ryan is a seasoned fundraising professional with deep experience in international program development and relationship management, most recently through her working with constituents around the globe on behalf of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, at Tufts University. Before joining Tufts, Ryan worked for Harvard University, where her leadership positions included Harvard Business School, the Harvard Alumni Association, The Rhodes Trust and Harvard Graduate School of Design. Prior to working for U.S. universities and colleges, Ryan taught English at the Notre Dame Seishin Women's University in Okayama, Japan.

Most recently, as senior director of development and alumni relations at Tufts University, Ryan helped shape a team of talented professionals and partnered with senior leadership to achieve consecutive years of record-breaking fundraising results, raising nearly $70 million in pledges and gifts toward Fletcher’s highest priorities and positioning the School to reach its campaign target.

A Cape Ann resident for over 30 years, Ryan and her husband raised their three children on Cape Ann and were introduced to the Cape Ann Museum 25 years ago through their son’s art project, which was featured in a Cape Ann Museum exhibit.

“Cape Ann is a very special place with unsurpassed beauty, especially comforting this past year as we sought peace and solace during uncertain times,” says Ryan. “The community is so fortunate to have such a beautiful Museum to honor and share the many dimensions of Cape Ann’s art, nature, history and culture.”

Ryan has served on several boards and committees on the North Shore and is currently a board member of the Institute for Global Maritime Studies. She earned her master’s degree in international relations from the Fletcher School at Tufts University.

Oliver Barker, the Museum’s Director, is very pleased to welcome Ryan at a critical time of growth for the institution. “Kate Ryan’s expertise is so important to the Museum's future success and our commitment to engaging the broader Cape Ann community,” Barker said. “We are expanding our staff, increasing our programming, and have opened a second campus, CAM Green, so this is an exciting time for us to bring on such a gifted fundraiser as part of our senior leadership as we prepare for the Museum’s 150th anniversary in 2025.”