Ryan Merkel

Ryan Merkel is an experienced development professional currently serving as the Principal Gifts Officer at the National Gallery of Art, where responsibilities include cultivating major philanthropic gifts from private sector funders to support the national art collection. Previously, Ryan held the position of Chief Development Officer at Arena Stage, contributing to the transition of a new Artistic Director and overseeing a $50 million fundraising campaign. Ryan’s extensive experience also includes roles at the Newseum, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the University of Maryland, where skills in relationship building, fundraising strategy, and team leadership were honed. Ryan holds an MA in Communication with a focus on Public Relations and dual BS degrees in Marketing, History, and Communication from the University of Florida.