Marisa Wigglesworth

As CEO of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum, I lead a $6.3M organization with a team of ~40 full- and part-time staff, including six direct reports. I am responsible for advancing the organization’s mission through strategic, operational, and financial functions, with a focus on delivering mission-aligned growth, operational stability, and optimizing the visitor experience. During my tenure, I have revitalized a dormant fundraising program, securing multiple gifts of $500K+ and driving a 20% increase in 2024 attendance—culminating in a year-end budget surplus. I restructured the executive team to better support performance and impact, hired senior leaders in key roles, and addressed areas of underperformance. These changes laid the foundation for stronger leadership and clearer accountability across the organization. I also worked to strengthen board engagement by launching five standing committees, formalizing recruitment practices, and aligning governance efforts with strategic priorities. Internally, I restrucured daily all-staff briefings to connect roles to outcomes, recognize contributions, and keep goals front and center. I prioritize transparency and trust, including overhauling board financial communications to create shared understanding of fiscal health and direction.

As president and CEO of the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, I led the Buffalo Museum of Science and Tifft Nature Preserve, overseeing a $5.5M annual budget and guiding all aspects of strategy, operations, and organizational development. My focus was on advancing the organization’s educational mission, stewarding its collections and assets, and positioning it for sustainable growth and long-term relevance. I secured a $2.6M grant from Empire State Development to restore the museum’s historic building and led the $8.2M See It Through campaign, which included the renovation of eight Science Studios and the public reopening of the rooftop Kellogg Observatory. I also introduced a new brand identity that re-energized the institution’s presence in the community and aligned staff and stakeholders around a shared vision. This work, along with the advancement of operational infrastructure, set the stage for successful high-demand exhibits, including the sell-out Art of the Brick. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I maintained financial stability while adapting operations, staffing, and guest services to ensure continuity and safety. I led with clarity and urgency, navigating rapidly evolving challenges while keeping both mission and people at the center. The work done during this period laid a strong foundation for continued growth, innovation, and community connection.

As senior vice president and chief philanthropy officer at the National Aquarium, I was brought in to scale a young fundraising program into a campaign-ready engine capable of supporting the organization’s ambitious growth. I provided strategic leadership that shaped long-term direction while aligning philanthropy with the Aquarium’s mission to protect aquatic habitats. I led the development of a donor-centered major gifts program, strengthened CEO involvement in fundraising, and built the structure needed to sustain a 9-figure campaign. In just one year, philanthropy revenue grew by 120%, including two 7-figure gift commitments. I expanded the team from four to 17, bringing in the talent and tools needed to raise performance and deepen donor relationships. I also led education efforts that activated both board and staff in the fundraising process, and restructured board development through a multi-year plan that elevated leadership engagement and long-term planning.

During my tenure at The Franklin Institute, I was promoted through three leadership roles, ultimately serving as vice president for external affairs. In this role, I led all fundraising and strategic planning activities for one of the nation’s premier science centers and the most visited museum in Pennsylvania. I managed a portfolio of more than 50 trustees and major donors, led a top-performing 20-member development team, and served on the Leadership Council to drive initiatives that supported institutional growth and visibility. In collaboration with colleagues across development and executive leadership, we exceeded the $64.7M capital campaign goal by reshaping the Institute’s fundraising strategy and launching a robust major gifts program that delivered consistent year-over-year growth in operating support. We secured a $10M private sector gift—the largest in the organization’s history—through collaborative donor engagement and executive-level relationship-building. We also led the planning and execution of the Franklin Institute Awards Ceremony and Dinner, one of our most high-profile philanthropic events, generating over $1M annually. Working closely with government stakeholders to maintain critical public funding, I led activities that aligned institutional goals with city and state priorities. I also strengthened board performance and governance through my work with several key committees, including nominating, development, government relations, and strategic planning. These efforts created deeper board engagement and long-term alignment around strategy and growth.

Big Brothers Big Sisters International provides strategic direction, oversight and support to the Big Brothers Big Sisters programs around the world working to help children reach their potential through professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships with measurable impact. As first professional development staff member, Chief Philanthropy Officer was charged with building a comprehensive development program. Accomplishments: • Trained Board of Directors regarding a Board’s role in development • Created Development Strategic Plan, formalized development-funded projects, led creation of case for support, developed solicitation and stewardship materials