Kerri DeGraff to Join Washington Pavilion as Chief Development Officer

Washington Pavilion President and CEO Darrin Smith today announced that Kerri DeGraff will join the organization as Chief Development Officer on Monday, February 12.

DeGraff comes from Feeding South Dakota, serving for the last six years as their Development Director overseeing all fund development strategies and tactics including annual fundraising, major gift campaigns, corporate sponsorships, capital campaigns, planned giving and communication efforts.

Prior to her work at Feeding South Dakota, DeGraff served for five years with the Sioux Empire United Way as their Community Impact Director. She was responsible for overseeing the management of program and project investments in excess of $9.5 million distributed to more than 95 programs. DeGraff also recruited, trained and supported 100+ volunteers who served on Community Impact Teams.

DeGraff has been featured in 605 Magazine's "Five Young Leaders to Watch" and nominated for "Tomorrow's Leader" at the YWCA Tribute to Women event. She is a graduate of Leadership Sioux Falls 25, the YWCA Women's Leadership Program, a past member of the Homeless Advisory Board, and a current member of the Sioux Falls Woman's Alliance Board, which focuses on providing educational opportunities and support for young girls and women in the community. An active member of the community, DeGraff started an After School Running Program at the Multi-Cultural Center for middle school youth. Most recently, Kerri was recognized for her volunteer work by the Helpline Center as a Spirit of Volunteerism nominee.

DeGraff graduated from Augustana University in 2006, majoring in Communications/Business and Spanish. She completed her MBA at the University of South Dakota and was recognized as the Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year from the Beacom School of Business.

"I am incredibly excited to add a talent like Kerri to the Washington Pavilion team, she will strengthen our development efforts and make the entire organization better," stated Smith. "Kerri has a tremendous record of accomplishment as a development professional, and she will be a perfect fit in our mission driven culture."

"I'm honored to have the opportunity to join the Washington Pavilion, which touches the lives of so many citizens and enriches our community," said DeGraff.

The Washington Pavilion is the region's home for the arts, entertainment and science. Located in a beautifully renovated historic building in downtown Sioux Falls, it is one of only a few facilities in the world to bring together under one roof the performing arts, visual arts and interactive science. The vast array of high quality programming and educational activities available through the Husby Performing Arts Center, Kirby Science Discovery Center, Visual Arts Center and the Community Learning Center ensures that people of all ages and walks of life can rely upon the Washington Pavilion to inspire, educate, entertain and enrich. There is, indeed, something for everyone here. For information about our programs, please call (605) 367-7397 or, (toll free) at 1-877-Wash Pav or visit our website at www.washingtonpavilion.org.

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