Central Park Conservancy Names Mary Caraccioli Chief Communications Officer

The Central Park Conservancy announced the appointment of Mary Caraccioli, an Emmy Award-winning journalist and media executive, as its first-ever Chief Communications Officer. Caraccioli reports to the Conservancy’s President & CEO, Elizabeth W. Smith, and is responsible for the direction and leadership of the Conservancy’s marketing, public relations, and internal communications across all platforms, and messaging for all institutional initiatives, programs, and events.

Caraccioli joined the Conservancy after serving as Chief Communications Officer at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. During her tenure at Lincoln Center, she led the restructuring of communications at the world’s leading performing arts center and oversaw social media, public relations, editorial, and video functions, while managing communications strategy for all major projects, initiatives, and artistic programming.

Prior to her time at Lincoln Center, Caraccioli worked as a reporter, broadcast anchor, and news executive at a variety of media outlets including ABC, CNBC, FOX, Comcast, and Al Jazeera America.

“We are thrilled to have Mary Caraccioli join us in this critically important role,” said Smith. “As one of New York City’s largest public-private partnerships, the communication of the Conservancy’s work is of vital importance to our success. With her expertise both in front of the camera and behind the scenes, Mary brings a level of experience that will unify and enhance our messaging and help us establish a refreshed voice when communicating with our millions of annual visitors.”

"Central Park is one of the most important places in the world,” said Caraccioli. “I'm excited to join the talented team that makes the Park so beautiful and to work to spread the message of the Conservancy’s important mission more broadly.”

In addition to her professional experience, Caraccioli values her volunteer work at a variety of not-for-profit organizations and is an advisory board member at the Arts Arena and Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business. She earned an MLA from the University of Pennsylvania, an MBA from Drexel University's LeBow College of Business, and BA from the University of Pittsburgh.