NEW YORK -- (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Board performance has become a critical area of focus for nonprofit organizations. To help clients create more dynamic and effective boards, Russell Reynolds Associates today announced the appointment of Emily K. Rafferty, President Emerita of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, as Senior Director in the firm’s Nonprofit and Board Effectiveness Practices.

Rafferty joins a global team of experts with deep experience working with a diverse array of nonprofit organizations world-wide. The firm’s Board Effectiveness Practice provides consulting services to Boards on improving areas such as board culture, director effectiveness and engagement, board and committee processes and structure, and aligning board composition to the organization’s vision and mission.

“Nonprofit boards face a unique set of challenges and are increasingly under pressure to not only play an important role in raising funds, but also provide intense governance oversight demanded by funders. As a result, we are focused on helping clients achieve impact in many areas of responsibilities with unprecedented rigor,” said Clarke Murphy, CEO of Russell Reynolds Associates. “Emily brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise and experience in the nonprofit sector, which will enhance our ability to support clients in meeting their specific objectives through a robust leadership and board dynamic.”

The first woman to be elected in this position, Rafferty served with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the nation’s largest art museum, for nearly 40 years. She was elected president by the Metropolitan’s Board of Trustees in 2005 after a long career at the institution, where she rose through the ranks in the areas of development and external affairs.

Rafferty serves as well as Chairwoman of NYC & Company, the City’s official tourism and marketing agency. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. In addition, Rafferty was named to the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in 2011 and became Chairman in 2012. She has recently been named Special Adviser to UNESCO for Heritage Protection and Conservation.

A New York City native, Rafferty earned her B.A. degree cum laude from Boston University and recently received its College of Arts & Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor bestowed upon alumni to recognize extraordinary accomplishments in their professions or communities. A recipient of many awards and honors, she received the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Pace University in 2014. Other honorary degrees have included an award by Fairfield University, Doctor of Laws in 2010, and The College of New Rochelle, Doctor of Humane Letters in 2008. In 2012 she received the New York University Lewis Rudin Award for Exemplary Service to New York City. From 2009 through 2013 she has been named one of New York City’s 100 most influential women by Crain’s New York Business, which recently inducted her into its Hall of Fame.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Vijaya.Singh@russellreynolds.com or sohwon.cha@russellreynolds.com.

About Russell Reynolds Associates:

Russell Reynolds Associates is a global leader in assessment, recruitment and succession planning for boards of directors, chief executive officers and key roles within the C-suite. With more than 370 consultants in 46 offices around the world, we work closely with public, private and nonprofit organizations across all industries and regions. We help our clients build teams of transformational leaders who can meet today’s challenges and anticipate the digital, economic, environmental and political trends that are reshaping the global business environment.

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CONTACT:

Russell Reynolds Associates
Vijaya Singh, 212-351-1987
Vijaya.Singh@russellreynolds.com
or
Sohwon Cha
sohwon.cha@russellreynolds.com