Glenda Noel-Ney Named Folger's Director of Development

The Folger Shakespeare Library has named Glenda Noel-Ney—a proven leader in the arts with more than 30 years of experience in fundraising, strategic planning, and team building—as its new Director of Development. Noel-Ney was hired following a comprehensive executive search process led by the Arts Consulting Group (ACG). Noel-Ney will partner with Folger Director Michael Witmore to engage the Folger’s Board of Governors, philanthropic partners, and donor base. She will also lead the institution in creating a fundraising strategy that will build upon the success of the recent Wonder of Will capital campaign, during which the Folger raised more than $50 million to support its landmark renovation and expanded programming.

“I look forward to joining the dynamic and creative team at the Folger Shakespeare Library. I am impressed with the level of scholarship and commitment of the staff and can’t wait to participate in the extraordinary cultural programming that will take place. There is something for everyone at the Folger, and I look forward to working with my new colleagues to establish strong relationships with our donors, friends, and the DC community,” Noel-Ney said.

Before joining the Folger, Noel-Ney worked as a consultant with ACG, collaborating on projects for the Newark Museum of Art, the Association of Performing Arts Professionals, and Bucks County Playhouse. Prior to that, she was Vice President of Advancement at Bethune-Cookman University, a private historically black university in Daytona Beach, Florida. Her professional experience also includes service as Director of Principal Gifts at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York and Vice President of Advancement at Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, Wisconsin. As Development Director for the Wisconsin Union at the University of Wisconsin-Madison she raised $25 million for the historic Union’s restoration. Earlier in her career, she was manager of the philanthropic program at American Express in New York and the assistant director of the Institute of African American Affairs at New York University.

“We are delighted to welcome Glenda Noel-Ney to the Folger team. Her proven record of fundraising success and her considerable experience will position the Folger well for our next chapter, including the 100th anniversary in 2032,” said Witmore.

Noel-Ney earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Studies with a concentration in Management and Marketing from Buffalo State College in New York. She served on the advisory board of the Romare Bearden Foundation, the Simpson Street Free Press board, the Wisconsin Arts Board, and as a cultural affairs commission member for Dane Arts in Wisconsin.

Noel-Ney began as the Folger’s Director of Development on August 14, 2023.

About Folger Shakespeare Library

Folger Shakespeare Library is the world’s largest Shakespeare collection, the ultimate resource for exploring Shakespeare and his world. The Folger welcomes millions of visitors online and in person. It provides unparalleled access to a huge array of resources, from original sources to modern interpretations. With the Folger, you can experience the power of performance, the wonder of exhibitions, and the excitement of path-breaking research. The  Folger offers the opportunity to see and even work with early modern sources, driving discovery and transforming education for students of all ages.