Melissa Santee Joins Museum as CAO
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History announced on August 22 the appointment of Melissa Santee as Chief Advancement Officer. As a member of President and CEO Sonia Winner’s senior leadership team, Santee will oversee all aspects of philanthropy for the Museum.
“Melissa has a strong track record of delivering results for several institutions, including successfully leading several comprehensive campaigns,” said Winner. “She brings excellent strategic planning and execution skills, and we are especially pleased to gain her expertise and insights as we continue our Centennial Project and Campaign.”
Most recently, Santee served as Director of Advancement at Mount Pisgah Christian School in Johns Creek, Ga., where the $20 million campaign – the largest in the school’s history – included its largest-ever gift from a foundation and the largest single gift from a family. She also she served as Director of Development for the Palm Beach County Cultural Council in West Palm Beach, Fla.
From 2001 to 2010, Santee held various fundraising and senior leadership roles at Case Western Reserve University. These included Executive Director for External Relations, Weatherhead School of Management; Associate Dean for Development and Public Affairs, School of Law; and Director of Development and Special Gifts, a role in which she was a key member of a development team that successfully completed a record-breaking $25 million campaign, the most ambitious campaign in the law school’s history.
A graduate of the University of Toledo, Santee is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
ABOUT THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
The Cleveland Museum of Natural History, incorporated in 1920, is one of the finest institutions of its kind in North America. It is noted for its collections, research, educational programs and exhibits. The collections encompass more than 5 million artifacts and specimens, and research of global significance focuses on 10 natural science disciplines. The Museum conserves biological diversity through the protection of more than 9,400 acres of natural areas. It promotes health education with local programs and distance learning that extends across the globe. Its GreenCityBlueLake Institute is a center of thought and practice for the design of green and sustainable cities. www.cmnh.org