MIC Appoints Alexis F. Cooke Vice President for Institutional Advancement
July 4th, 2016
June 21, 2016
The Music Institute of Chicago announces that Alexis F. Cooke will join the institution as Vice President for Institutional Advancement, effective July 6, 2016. Cooke will serve as a member of the organization’s senior management team and be responsible for a broad range of fundraising and donor relations initiatives.
President and CEO Dr. Mark George stated, “The Music Institute is thrilled to welcome Alexis. She brings a unique set of skills that will enable her to build strong relationships with friends and supporters and develop a dynamic platform to advance the mission of our school in the Chicago area.”
Cooke has worked exclusively with nonprofit organizations for more than 12 years. Most recently as director of development at the Adler Planetarium, she successfully led the museum’s fundraising efforts for major and individual giving, membership, corporate and foundation giving, events, endowment, and planned gifts. Prior to the Adler, she served as the senior officer, major gifts at The Chicago Council on Global Affairs where she was responsible for board relations, securing major funding for special initiatives, and sustaining annual individual donor support. She also worked for the development office at the Chicago Botanic Garden and the Tate Museums in London managing membership, ticketing, and annual giving programs. She holds a Master of Research degree in humanities and cultural studies from the London Consortium, UK, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Beloit College in Wisconsin. Cooke lives in Evanston with her husband and two children, and they enjoy exploring the world around them through travel, food, music, and art.
“The Music Institute has a wonderful list of core supporters and friends who share a belief in the importance of meaningful engagement with music,” said Cooke. “I look forward to getting to know each of them and helping the Music Institute leverage its recently launched strategic plan and solidify its place as a renowned cultural organization.”