The Urban Ecology Center has appointed Jessica St. John director of development and marketing.
St. John’s experience in leadership and fund development spans more than 20 years. Her career has included positions as director of visitor operations at the Milwaukee Art Museum, capital projects coordinator at Kohl’s, executive director at Walker’s Point Center for the Arts, and director of operations and enterprise at Biodynamic Association.
On a national scope, St. John has served as principal of Aesera Advisory, in which she acted as a consultant to Fortune 500 companies, such as Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson Motor Company, and arts and culture-focused nonprofit organizations all over the country.
Her career has also included time as director of the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York City. While in New York City, she worked with the SVA Theatre, which hosts the Tribeca Film Festival.
“Rarely have I sat in on a job interview and have taken notes, not about the candidate, but instead because the candidate said something that I found extremely interesting or a quote was stated that I thought particularly profound,” said Ken Leinbach, executive director of the Urban Ecology Center, which is based in Milwaukee. “This was the case, however, during St. John’s interview. We trust that Ms. St. John’s knowledge of our local philanthropic community, her experience in systems-based organizational strategies, and love of the outdoors provides her with a unique and valuable background that will serve our organization well.”
At the Urban Ecology Center, which is comprised of three branches all devoted to educating urban youth on science and nature and preserving natural spaces, St. John will oversee the design and rollout of fundraising and marketing plans She will also lead fundraising activities and develop relations with donors as well as guide marketing and communications initiatives.
“I’m thrilled to be joining this wonderful organization as it continues to positively transform the Milwaukee landscape,” said St. John, who will work at the organization’s Riverside Park location. “I look forward to finding new opportunities to delight our members and supporters, while also building on the Urban Ecology Center’s impressive legacy by bringing new friends into our centers and continuing to expand our reach.”
