DAYTON, OH.- The Dayton Art Institute has announced the promotion of Elaine Gounaris to Interim Development Director for the museum. Gounaris served as the DAI’s Sponsorship & Special Events Manager for the past eight years.
As Sponsorship & Special Events Manager, Gounaris has been the chief fundraiser for the museum’s three signature events–Bourbon & Bubbles, Art Ball and Oktoberfest–and helped raise more than $1.9 million in sponsorships for those events. She has also overseen the event management for both Art Ball and Oktoberfest, as well as helping develop and launch the popular Bourbon & Bubbles event, which sold out each of its first three years.
During her time at the DAI, Gounaris also helped create at-home fundraising events during the pandemic, including one to take the place of a traditional Oktoberfest in 2020 and Pop, Fizz, Clink!, which proved to be a successful spring fundraiser for the museum in 2021.
She has served as the main staff liaison to the museum’s 64-person Associate Board and helped guide this volunteer group in its efforts to assist with organizing and carrying out Art Ball and Oktoberfest.
“Elaine has been an invaluable part of the DAI’s fundraising efforts, through her involvement with the museum’s signature events,” said DAI Director & CEO Michael R. Roediger. “Over the course of her eight years at the museum, she has been instrumental in building and growing many lasting relationships in the community. We look forward to welcoming her into this new role on the museum’s Leadership Team.”
Prior to her time at the Dayton Art Institute, Gounaris was both the Campaign & Corporate Giving Manager and then promoted to Senior Development Officer at the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus. She has 25 years of experience in fundraising, event production and volunteer management.
A resident of Oakwood, Gounaris has served on the Wright Library Foundation Board for nearly four years, most recently as its President, helping the foundation achieve its $1.5 million capital campaign goal.
