San Francisco, California, May 2, 2023 — The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (the “Fine Arts Museums”), comprising the de Young in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, today announced the appointment of Danielle St.Germain as its Chief Philanthropy Officer. With more than 25 years of leadership experience in arts management and fundraising, St.Germain will plan, implement, and oversee the Fine Arts Museums’ philanthropic initiatives across development, special events, and museum membership in support of the organization's strategic vision and growth. She will assume her role in June. 

“The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco are delighted to welcome Danielle St.Germain as our Chief Philanthropy Officer,” said Thomas P. Campbell, Director and CEO of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. “We count ourselves incredibly fortunate to be able to draw from her extensive experience, achievements, and deep knowledge of our city. With the Legion of Honor centenary around the corner and inclusive engagement with the Bay Area community at both the Legion and the de Young as top museum priorities, she is stepping in at a crucial time. I look forward to working alongside her to ensure the institution’s financial strength and central role in connecting broad audiences with art for generations to come.” 

St. Germain joins the Fine Arts Museums from the San Francisco Ballet, where she has led the organization as its Executive Director in partnership with Artistic Director Tamara Rojo. Significant achievements during her tenure include shepherding the nonprofit organization as it emerged from extended closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, appointing a Chief Diversity Officer, partnering with San Francisco Conservatory of Music to launch the Denis de Coteau Fellowship for Black musicians, and leading the San Francisco Ballet’s most successful annual fundraising gala to date in spring 2022. As Chief Development Officer from 2018 - 2021, St. Germain grew the organization’s fundraising support and oversaw key initiatives such as the Critical Relief Campaign, an instrumental grassroots campaign that ensured the institution’s health during the pandemic. Launching in late March 2020, the campaign exceeded its goal of $5M via more than 3,000 gifts in just over three months.

“I am absolutely thrilled to join Tom and his incredible team at the Fine Arts Museums, the largest public arts institution in San Francisco and a key voice in the national visual art community.  I am delighted to return to my earlier museum roots,” said Danielle St.Germain. “The Fine Arts Museums are at a very exciting juncture in its storied history, and I look forward to working closely with the philanthropic community that so warmly welcomed me to SF in 2018. Being part of the team that will ensure that the museums thrive and continue to propel curiosity, engagement, and conversations for the long term is a dream come true!”

During her career, St.Germain has led successful annual fund, critical relief, and capital campaigns, raising more than $400 million for nonprofit arts organizations. St.Germain came to San Francisco in 2018 from her post as Director of Development at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. Prior to her time at the Guthrie, St.Germain led fundraising at Washington, D.C.’s Shakespeare Theatre Company—where she managed and implemented individual giving and capital campaigns up to and through the opening of the theater’s $89 million Harman Center for the Arts—and served as Chief Development Officer at Arena Stage. As Vice President of Institutional Advancement at the American Alliance of Museums, St.Germain increased philanthropic support by more than 500 percent and grew its membership base locally, nationally, and internationally. St.Germain is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

A national search for the position was conducted with Arts Consulting Group.

About the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

Together, the de Young in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park make up the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the largest public arts institution in the city and one of the largest in the United States. Both are located on the land of the Ramaytush Ohlone, the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula. 

Opened in 1895, the de Young is home to American art from the 17th century through today; textile arts and costumes; African art; Oceanic art; arts of the Americas, and international contemporary art. Opened in 1924, the Legion of Honor displays European painting; sculpture; and decorative arts; ancient art; works on paper; and contemporary art.

Media Inquiries

Helena Nordstrom, Director of Communications, hnordstrom@famsf.org