Jessica Denaro joined the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY in January 2026 as Executive Director of Development, bringing more than 14 years of experience leading fundraising strategy and philanthropic partnerships for mission-driven organizations.
Before joining Newmark J-School, she served as Director of Development at the Perlman Music Program, where she was a member of the senior leadership team overseeing all fundraising operations, major gifts, and foundation support. Her background spans donor cultivation, capital campaigns, and strategic fundraising across a range of arts, cultural, and educational institutions, including the Westchester Community College Foundation, the Neuberger Museum of Art at Purchase College, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, and Storm King Art Center.
She holds an M.A. in Arts Administration with a nonprofit concentration from New York University and a B.A. in Art History from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh.