Jacob Burns Film Center Announces Blair Hartley as Director of Development
TOC Arts Partners is pleased to announce that Jacob Burns Film Center (Mary Jo Ziesel, Executive Director), in Pleasantville, New York has appointed Blair Hartley as Director of Development following our extensive national search led by Senior Strategist, Brenna Thomas.
Per the organization's press release, Hartley brings with him more than 20 years of leadership and fundraising experience at prominent cultural and nonprofit institutions. He most recently served as Senior Vice President of Development at the 92nd Street Y, New York, where he led major gift fundraising.
Previously, Hartley was Vice President of Philanthropy and Partnerships at Film at Lincoln Center, directing fundraising efforts across individual giving, corporate partnerships, foundations, government support, special events, and endowment initiatives. His career also includes leadership roles at Youth America Grand Prix, Theatre Communications Group, and the American Folk Art Museum.
“I am delighted to join the Jacob Burns Film Center at such an exciting moment in its history,” said Hartley in the company’s release. “The Burns has built an extraordinary community around the shared experience of film and a deep commitment to education and artists. I look forward to working with Mary Jo, the Board, staff, and supporters to build on that strong foundation and help ensure that this remarkable organization continues to thrive for years to come.”
“Blair brings an exceptional combination of fundraising expertise, strategic leadership, and a genuine connection to the power of film and arts education,” said Mary Jo Ziesel, Executive Director of the Jacob Burns Film Center in the company’s release. “As we celebrate The Burns’ 25th anniversary and look ahead to our next chapter, his experience building strong relationships with donors, boards, and communities will be invaluable. We are thrilled to welcome him to the team, and are deeply grateful to Judy Exton for her leadership, dedication, and many contributions to the organization.”
TOC Arts Partners Senior Strategist Brenna Thomas, commented “Blair will be a wonderful addition to the Jacob Burns Film Center’s team. He is ready to be a guiding mentor to the strong development team assembled, and a thoughtful, collaborative partner to board members, senior staff, and Executive Director Mary Jo Ziesel. I look forward to seeing the impact he will make on the organization.”
About Jacob Burns Film Center
In the late 1990s, when many said it couldn’t be done—that a nonprofit cinema dedicated to the art of film would never survive in the suburbs—a community believed otherwise. They imagined something bigger than a building. They envisioned a gathering place where the lights would dim, strangers would become neighbors, and the power of film would spark conversations that rippled far beyond the screen.
That audacious idea became the Jacob Burns Film Center.
Since opening their doors in 2001, Jacob Burns Film Center has proven that people hunger for more than streaming algorithms and isolated viewing. They crave the electric experience of laughing together in the dark, of gasping in unison, of staying in their seats as the credits roll because they’re not ready for the spell to break. They want to look a filmmaker in the eye and ask, “How did you do that?” They want their children to discover that they, too, can tell stories that matter.
Today, the Jacob Burns Film Center stands as one of the most successful suburban art houses in the country—not because we defied the skeptics, but because we listened to what our community needed: a cultural and creative hub where film becomes a bridge between people, between ideas, between who we are and who we might become.
About TOC Arts Partners
TOC Arts Partners (formerly Tom O’Connor Consulting Group) is a national strategy and executive search firm for arts and culture organizations. Our team of seasoned arts leaders brings decades of first-hand experience in organizational strategy, capital project transitions, and operational excellence for arts institutions. We’ve had the privilege of working alongside more than 150 arts and culture client partners in 25 states and across 11 unique genres, from stages to screens, museums to municipalities. These include both our strategy and executive search clients—including over 90 searches for executive and senior leaders.
Select clients have included Williamstown Theatre Festival, Pioneer Theatre (Salt Lake City), Marin Cultural Center, Ballet Hispánico, Film Forum, The Hult Center for the Performing Arts, The Metropolitan Opera, New York Theatre Workshop, The Moth, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Dramatists Guild Foundation, and more.
Explore our site to learn more about Our Services, Our Team, and Our Clients. Sign up for email alerts of future searches.