(New York, November 9, 2004)—The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced today the promotion of two new officers: Nina Diefenbach to the post of Vice President for Development and Membership, and Jeffrey Russian as Vice President for Finance and Planning. They were both elected at today's meeting of the Museum's Board of Trustees.
"We are delighted to recognize the achievements of these two talented and dedicated executives," said David E. McKinney, President of the Museum. "They have demonstrated exceptional ability and the institution is pleased to acknowledge their efforts and ask them to assume important new responsibilities."
Commented Emily K. Rafferty, the Museum's Senior Vice President and President-elect: "I very much look forward to working with Nina Diefenbach and Jeff Russian in their expanded roles in the future. I have worked with each of them for many years, and have come to rely on their administrative ability and institutional knowledge. I am confident that they will help make the upcoming presidential transition seamless, and will go on to make significant contributions in their new posts."
Nina McNeely Diefenbach
Nina Diefenbach has served since 2001 as the Met's Deputy Vice President for External Affairs and Chief Development Officer, responsible for the day-to-day management of the Development Office, including individual giving, foundation and government grants, corporate sponsorships, annual giving, and the Museum's ongoing $900 million "Fund for the Met" capital campaign.
A 23-year veteran of the Museum staff, Ms. Diefenbach started her career at the Metropolitan as an executive assistant in the Counsel's Office, joining the Development Office in 1984 as a senior grants officer. She was promoted to Manager in 1986, and became Chief Development Officer in 1998.
Educated at Trinity College in Hartford (B.A.), she earned her Masters in arts management at New York University. She also studied at London's Institute of European Studies.
Active in professional associations including the Art Museum Development Association, Women in Development, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals, among other organizations, Ms. Diefenbach often speaks before arts and business organizations on the subject of funding at not-for-profit institutions. Among her voluntary commitments, she has served in a variety of fundraising and alumni capacities at her alma mater, Trinity College, including the executive committee of the national alumni association and the 20th-reunion gift committee. She is also a trustee emeritus of the Pelham Art Center, and serves as well on the Development Committee for the Harlem Episcopal School.
Ms. Diefenbach, her husband, and their three children reside in Pelham.
Jeffrey Russian
Since 2001, Jeffrey Russian has served as the Metropolitan Museum's Deputy Vice President for Planning and Finance, responsible for developing and managing the Museum's annual operating and capital budgets, as well as the institution's long-range, strategic financial planning process, which involves all administrative and curatorial areas of the Museum.
Mr. Russian joined the Metropolitan Museum in 1991 as Associate Manager of Planning and Budget, and became Deputy Chief Planning and Budget Officer in 1994. He was promoted to the post of Chief Planning and Budget Officer in 1999, and took on his present post two years later.
Before joining the Met, Mr. Russian served from 1981 to 1983 as Associate Director of the Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council in Texarkana, Texas; as Associate Director of the Boston Ballet from 1983 to 1986; as Financial and Personnel Officer of the Harvard University Art Museums from 1986 to 1988; and as director of budget and planning for the Harvard University School of Public Health from 1988 through 1991.
Mr. Russian received his B.A., cum laude, in English literature from Middlebury College, and earned an M.A. in arts administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Jeffrey Russian lives in New York City with his wife and son.
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