The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Welcomes Development Staff

November 9, 2022 – Sarasota

The Ringling Museum recently expanded its Development team with the addition of three experienced philanthropy professionals. “I’m pleased to welcome Jeannie, Blair and Emily to our development team,”.stated S. Mark Terman, The Ringling’s senior director of development, “they have joined us with new ideas and energy to help move The Ringling forward to help us fund exhibitions, performances, educational programs, gardens, and facilities that engage the community in new ways. I’m thankful for the strategic support of Florida State University Foundation and Ringling leadership in helping us recruit and hire this level of talent.”

Jeannie Perales
Jeannie Hendrick Perales has joined The Ringling as associate director of development/campaign planning, where she will work with the development team and across the institution to design and implement a dynamic comprehensive initiative to raise capital, programmatic and endowment funds. She has a distinguished career in nonprofit management, program development and donor engagement. A Sarasota native, previously, she held positions as chief experience officer at the Bay Park Conservancy, vice president for museums exhibitions, learning & engagement at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, and associate curator of education at The Ringling. She is an experienced museum professional with deep connections in the Sarasota community and is highly skilled in building relationships with community leaders, foundations, and other partners. Jeannie has a B.S. in communications and anthropology from Florida State University and an M.A. in educational psychology from the University of Colorado.

Blair Kirkwood
Originally from Sarasota, Blair Kirkwood has returned home to serve as senior development officer for The Ringling after stints in New York City and Jacksonville. As such, she is focused on corporate sponsors to broaden the support for The Ringling’s Art of Performance, exhibitions, events, and educational programs. Additionally, she will work with a portfolio of individual donors and prospects. A seasoned development professional, Blair most recently served as Director of Development for Boys and Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida. She has additional experience in annual fund programs at Columbia University and Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation, including as a program center manager for the fundraising firm of Ruffalo Noel Levitz. Blair graduated from the University of South Florida with a B.A. in communications.

Emily Joslin

Emily Joslin has been appointed by The Ringling to serve as development officer/Circle Programs. She cultivates and stewards a portfolio of The Ringling’s leadership gift donors and works with the events team to plan and expedite Circle exhibition previews, Circle dinners and Behind-the-Scenes events for donors and prospects. In recent years, she has produced compelling content for TV, streaming and social media as the on-camera talent and producer for a media company she founded. Previously, she worked with the Robin Hood Foundation and founded Compass Kids in New York City. Emily has had a distinguished career in strategic marketing and communications for ultra-high net worth clients for UBS Financial Services, Barclays Wealth and Lehman Brothers in NYC. She has an MBA from the University of Denver and a B.A. in English and art history from the University of Vermont. Since moving to Sarasota in 2018, she has been active with the Young Donors Leadership Board of the Sarasota Ballet.

Philanthropic support is a critical factor in keeping The Ringling, the State Art Museum of Florida, a thriving and relevant experience that is welcoming to members and guests of all ages and backgrounds. Coming out of the pandemic, the museum is working to build its membership base, grow the collections and increase its outreach and education programs.