The Perot Museum of Nature and Science announced Katherine Stenesen as its Chief Development Officer. Stenesen has a strong nonprofit background coming to the Perot Museum after seven years with United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, most recently serving as its chief development officer, and before that almost eight years at SMU rebuilding a donor relations program for a $1 billion campaign.

“This is an opportunity that allows me to return to my roots in education and aligns with a mission that is very personal to me – inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, leaders in technology, innovators in medicine and those who believe the possibilities are endless,” said Stenesen, in a statement. “The Perot Museum also provides a place and resources for families, like mine, to learn together. I am honored to be a part of casting the future for the museum.”

During Stenesen’s tenure at the United Way she led a fundraising team that secured more than $60 million in annual commitments via a combination of corporate campaigns, corporate gifts, community giving and major gifts. She also restructured the United Way Foundation’s Unite Forever campaign aiding the growth of that endowment.

“Katherine is a powerful addition to our team, and her exceptional expertise in strategic planning as an underpinning for fundraising paired with her deep knowledge of North Texas will be especially crucial as the Perot Museum builds its institutional funding locally, regionally and nationally,” said Dr. Linda Silver, Eugene McDermott Chief Executive Officer of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.

Silver added the CDO position at the Perot Museum combines Stenesen’s background in education with her family’s love of science education and will benefit from her abilities at building relationships and developing high-performing teams, optimizing resources, and leading cross-functional collaborations.

“Everywhere Katherine goes, success has followed, so we’re delighted to have her join us as we deliver upon our mission of inspiring minds through nature and science,” said Silver.

Stenesen has a BA in speech communications from the University of Washington and an MA in student development administration from Seattle University. She will officially join the Perot Museum January 13, 2020.