Crystal Bridges Announces Chief Strategy Officer

Jill Wagar

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art on Tuesday announced several appointments relating to museum development and fundraising, including that of chief strategy officer, a new position.

The Bentonville museum has named Jill Wagar, former director of advancement, to chief strategy officer. In this position, Wagar will focus on strategic projects and working with national and international supporters to make gifts to Crystal Bridges. She will continue to oversee the advancement division, “guiding the direction of development, membership and guest services, to ensure positive relations with supporters and guests,” the museum said in a news release.

“As the museum nears its four-year anniversary, we continue to pursue ways to ensure we’re strategic, productive, and efficient,” Executive Director Rod Bigelow said. “Jill’s experience connecting members, sponsors, and donors to the museum’s mission and her proven leadership uniquely positions her to take on the role of chief strategy officer. Her insight and vision in this new role will contribute to the sustained growth of the institution, furthering our strategic initiatives.”

The museum also announced the hiring of Kelly Zega as the director of development and Megan Martin as the director of advancement operations.

As chief of development, Zega will work “to secure philanthropic support for the museum.” She previously was senior manager of public affairs for Cox Communications, where she worked for 10 years serving as the liaison to the community and overseeing the corporate giving program. Zega has held key positions at Tyson Foods, the University of Arkansas and the North Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and is a graduate of the University of Arkansas.

As director of advancement operations, Martin will oversee membership, guest services and advancement services. She most recently was manager of business intelligence at the national office of the American Cancer Society “where she led a team of analysts using predictive data analysis to support effective fundraising strategies,” the museum said. Martin has also worked at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and has an undergraduate degree from University of Maryland and a master’s degree from the University of Chicago.