August 4, 2017

The Center Board SElects New Development Leader

Jen SimonJACKSON, WY – The Center Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Jennifer Simon has been selected to lead the organization’s development efforts as the new President of The Center Fund. Jen is currently Vice President of the St. John’s Hospital Foundation. The Center Board sought a new development leader in light of the recent resignation of Ponteir Sackrey, who served in the role for almost four years.

“The Board established The Center Fund in 2013 to further encourage philanthropic support for The Center. During Ponteir’s tenure, she raised the bar of excellence by taking The Center’s fundraising efforts to the next-level,” remarked Don Opatrny, Center Board Chair.

Beginning in September, Simon will be the chief fundraiser of The Center Fund, reporting to the Board, and working in tandem with Martha Bancroft, Director of The Center.

“Jen’s extensive background in the arts, deep ties to the community, and her comprehensive fundraising expertise were deciding factors in the selection process. The Center is launching a five year endowment campaign this year, and she is committed to lead the charge,” stated Opatrny.

Jen has held numerous leadership roles in Wyoming since moving to Teton County in 1997. She co-founded Womentum in 2003 and serves as an Emeritus board member. In 2015, Gov. Mead appointed her to serve on the Wyoming Council for Women’s Issues as the representative for Judicial District 9 representing Teton, Sublette, and Fremont Counties. Jen is past chair of the board of Teton Youth and Family Services; she is also a 2003 graduate of Leadership Jackson Hole; and a 2005 graduate of Leadership Wyoming. As Vice President of the St. John’s Hospital Foundation, Jen led the SPET initiative for the new Living Center and the Art & Healing Program. She holds a BA in art and art history from Colorado College and a Master’s of Theological Studies from Vanderbilt Divinity School where she was a research assistant at the Curb Center for Art, Enterprise and Public Policy.

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