Peggy Froh Asseo has over 27 years of experience in institutional advancement, 17 of those at the vice president level in higher education, arts organizations, and animal welfare. Her consulting work focuses on providing entrepreneurial and mature organizations with the practical tools that they need for financial and managerial self-sufficiency, with an emphasis on board development, strategic planning, capital campaigns, and building balanced advancement programs. Her board development experience and consulting has included strategic new member growth, term limit policies, and training board members in the art and science of the ask. She has presented at CASE, AFP, and Chicago Association of Direct Marketing conferences; a recent topic was "Dealing With Difficult Boards."
In her current position, Melissa oversees the activities of seven auxiliary boards and donor groups that support the Museum through fundraising, educational outreach and other volunteer efforts. In addition, she also works with the Museum`s President to facilitate the work of the 80-member board of trustees. Melissa has held several management positions at The Field Museum since joining the staff in 1996. Among other responsibilities, she has managed marketing and audience development and overseen budgeting and strategy for the Museum`s public programs areas. Prior to joining the Museum, Melissa worked in public finance investment banking and served as a press officer for a member of the U.S. Congress and for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Melissa has a B.A. in English from Yale University and an M.B.A. from the Yale School of Management.
As Director of Development for The Chicago Academy for the Arts, Steve is responsible for major gifts an the institution`s upcoming capital campaign. He oversees the annual fund, special events, grants, and sponsorships, and works closely with the Head of School on board recruitment and strategic planning. Prior to the Arts Academy, Steve was Director of Development at the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Hubbard Street Dance, Court Theater, and social service agencies. He received his MBA in Non-Profit Management from UCLA. He serves on the Resource Development Committee of the Donors Forum of Chicago.
