The Roger Tory Peterson Institute has hired Jeanne Fralick as its new development director.

Fralick is a Jamestown native who first discovered RTPI as an art student at Jamestown Community College.

‘”I still have the drawing I did on a field trip from one of Roger’s Emperor Penguins,” she shared.

Fralick ultimately received her BFA in art history from the Savannah College of Art and Design, graduating magna cum laude. Following graduation, she worked for several years as project manager for the Coastal Heritage Society in Savannah, Ga. Among her accomplishments was leading a team through the design process for Phase I of the Savannah Children’s Museum outdoor exhibition space. This included securing $250,000 in private donations to match a $250,000 grant from Newman’s Own Foundation.

Fralick returned to Jamestown to raise her four children. For the past decade, Jeanne has been the grant administrator for Warren Forest Counties Economic Opportunity Council. Her responsibilities included researching and applying for $4 to $6 million annually in federal, state and local grants.

Fralick received an MFA in advertising from the Academy of Art University and post-graduate certification in UX/UI Design from McCombs Business School, University of Texas at Austin. UX focuses on the full user experience for a product, service, or even a museum. It takes a creative problem-solving approach to key in on a deeper understanding of user needs for a more intuitive, accessible and enjoyable experience.

As development director for RTPI, Fralick’s first priority will be to build RTPI’s membership and individual giving campaign. In time, she will expand her responsibilities to include institutional giving, as well.

“Jeanne’s richly diverse background in art, development, advertising and design,” said Arthur Pearson, RTPI’s CEO, “makes her the perfect candidate to help us fulfill RTPI’s full potential as a nature art museum that matters to the planet.”

“I look forward to meeting all of our friends and supporters soon,” Jeanne said.

She may be reached at jfralick@rtpi.org, or by calling 716-665-2473, ext. 226.