Press Release
NEW YORK, NY — The Central Park Conservancy is pleased to announce the appointment of Georgia Siampalioti as the organization’s first Chief of Strategic Philanthropy. Reporting to Elizabeth W. Smith, the Conservancy’s President and CEO, Siampalioti will provide strategic leadership overseeing the fundraising efforts for the organization that is responsible for the restoration and daily care of Central Park, New York’s 843-acre backyard.
“Georgia is a collaborative and energetic leader with the experience to help us garner the financial support needed to meet the challenges that come with managing the most visited urban park in the United States,” said Smith. “For over 40 years, the Conservancy's excellent fundraising efforts – from annual development, capital campaigns, and special events to the dedicated work of our esteemed Women’s Committee - have fueled our ambitious restoration projects, and I look forward to Georgia’s leadership as she builds upon those efforts to ensure the Park is preserved and cared for in perpetuity.
Siampalioti brings over 20 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector, including at major arts organizations such as the Whitney Museum of American Art and New York City Ballet. Most recently, she led the development team at American Ballet Theatre and prior to that led the capital campaigns at New York's Spence and Chapin Schools.
Funded primarily by individual donations, the Conservancy is the nonprofit that manages Central Park. From horticulture and trash management to visitor services, restoration, and more, the Conservancy is guided by its deep commitment to providing the oversight and expertise necessary to ensure that Central Park remains a world-class greenspace accessible to all.
"In addition to being a wonderful and dynamic gathering space where people can meet with family, friends, and neighbors while connecting with nature, the Park plays an important role in the environmental and economic health of the City,” said Siampalioti. "I’m deeply honored to join the Conservancy to raise critical funds to help ensure the Park remains a resilient and essential respite for generations to come.”
Siampalioti graduated from the University of Athens in Greece with a degree in archaeology and art history and obtained a Master of Arts at Columbia University's Teachers College.
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ABOUT THE CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY
The Central Park Conservancy is a private, not-for-profit organization that manages Central Park and is responsible for raising the Park's annual operating budget. The Conservancy’s staff of more than 300 is responsible for all aspects of the Park’s stewardship, from day-to-day maintenance and operations to continued restoration and rebuilding projects. Additionally, the Conservancy operates the Park’s visitor centers, provides public programs, and serves as a resource for other NYC parks and for public-private partnerships around the world. For more information, please visit centralparknyc.org.