The Development office welcomes three new members to the team.

Rachel Harrington

Rachel Harrington joined the MFA in March as Director, Institutional Relations and Annual Philanthropy, leading the Museum's annual operating revenue fundraising strategies for corporations, foundations, and individuals, including the Patron Program and Museum Council. She plans to develop compelling engagement opportunities for the Museum's existing donor community, connecting them to the MFA's mission and impact. Prior to this role, Rachel was at Babson College where she served as director of Corporate and Foundation Philanthropy.

Returning to the arts was a primary reason Rachel joined the Museum's staff; she majored in music in college, and began her professional career at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. Between then and her work at Babson, Rachel was an attorney at Nutter, McClennan & Fish in Boston.

Rachel, her husband Seth, and their two sons, Foster and Graham, live in Lexington, where they moved a few years ago from Beacon Hill. When asked about her favorite part of the Museum, Rachel shared that her older son has developed a love for the work of Jackson Pollock, on view in the Art of the Americas Wing. Watching her son form a connection to Pollock's work has reinforced her belief that art can make a deep and strong imporession on viewers of any age.

Rachel has already joined the Museum Council as a member and is "energized about the opportunity to work alongside peers to foster collaborations and further engagement with the MFA."

Alexandra Meyer

Alexandra (Alex) Meyer recently joined the MFA development team as Development Assistant, Annual Programs, supporting Melissa deFriesse and the Museum Council, as well as the Patron Program. In her short time working with the Museum Council, Alex has felt welcomed at events as a newcomer and has been excited to be part of the planning for The Summer Party.

Alex has a BA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design and attended graduate school in Bath, England, focusing on fashion theory. In her spare time, Alex has been researching and writing scholarly articles on fashion and dress, particularly about the nonverbal cues people present with their fashion choices. Fashion is part of Alex's downtime too, as she enjoys reality television and following other displays of fashion in the media.

Martina Beccari

Martina Beccari joined the MFA development team in March as Development Associate for the Patron Program, reporting to the Director of Annual Programs. Working in the arts, and specifically generating support for the arts, is the fulfillment of many years of schooling for Martina.

Originally from northern Italy, Martina has a passion for the arts throughout her life; she has a BA in Art History from the Universita delgi Studi di Pavia, and an MA with honors in Arts Management from Ca' Foscari University of Venice.

Martina is married and lives in Coolidge Corner.