NEW YORK, NY.- The Pioneer Works Board of Directors announced the appointment of Maxine Petry as Executive Director. Petry assumes the role after four years at Pioneer Works, most recently serving as Managing Director.

Since joining in 2017, Petry has made significant contributions to the interdisciplinary cultural center’s development. While building an engaged and philanthropic Board of Directors and donor base, she has diversified and stabilized the nonprofit’s revenue streams, significantly improving its overall financial health.

"Maxine has exhibited strong leadership skills, exceptional discipline, and an equal balance of IQ and EQ that is needed to confidently steer Pioneer Works into our next phase of tremendous growth,” said Austin Hearst, Chair of Pioneer Works’ Board of Directors. “Her new responsibilities will only amplify her existing vision and commitment in driving our mission as an organization — to build community through the arts and sciences to create an open and inspired world.”

Since she joined in 2017, Petry has increased Pioneer Works’ annual operating budget by 36%. In 2019, she launched Pioneer Works’ first capital campaign, which has thus far raised $16.5 million of its $30 million goal. She successfully spearheaded fundraising to purchase the organization’s building in Red Hook and has been instrumental in securing major government capital support. In addition to substantially growing Pioneer Works’ foundation and corporate support, she has been critical in amplifying Pioneer Works’ programs through the development of its communications department, as well as recruitment and training of staff.

“My tenure at Pioneer Works has afforded me the opportunity to work with some of the most thought-provoking and inspiring individuals within our organization and creative community,” said Maxine Petry. “As Executive Director, I intend to revamp Pioneer Works’ physical space, think ambitiously about expanding our network, and improve our global reach while continuing to place prominence on our Red Hook community.”

Petry will act as a partner to Pioneer Works’ Founder Dustin Yellin, Founding Artistic Director Gabriel Florenz, and Director of Sciences, Janna Levin. She succeeds Eric Shiner.

Prior to joining Pioneer Works, Petry led fundraising efforts as Director of Major Gifts at Park Avenue Armory, a non-profit cultural institution dedicated to the unconventional performing arts and historic preservation in New York. Petry is a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College and holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and French, with a focus on Humanities and Art History from the Institute for American Universities in Aix en Provence. She is a member of Women of Color in Fundraising and The Council for Women of Franklin & Marshall College.