NEW YORK, NY.- The New York Public Library has named Carrie Welch its Chief External Relations Officer. She will begin her tenure on Oct. 15.

Welch comes to the Library from the International Rescue Committee (IRC), where in over six years as Senior Vice President for External Relations, she transformed IRC’s funding model, increasing annual revenue by about 200 percent. She also vastly grew the audience for IRC’s work and built a leading and innovative digital presence.

In her new role, Welch will develop the Library’s outreach strategy, overseeing the Development and Communications & Marketing groups led by Ryan Cairns and Ken Weine, respectively.

“Carrie is an extraordinary external relations strategist whose leadership will no doubt help take the Library’s efforts to new heights,” says NYPL President Tony Marx.

Prior to her time at IRC, Welch served as the first Executive Vice President of Global Communications at Lowe and Partners, in charge of internal and external relations. She was also Vice President for Communications at Time, Inc. (where she helped launch CNNMoney.com) and Director of Communications at FORTUNE magazine, where she co-chaired the publication’s Most Powerful Women Summit.

“For a native New Yorker, bibliophile and lifelong fan of the Library, this is a dream job,” Welch said. “The Library has a great future, and I’m honored and eager to help support its ambitious outreach efforts.”