NEW YORK, NY.- The board of directors of Aperture Foundation announced today the appointment of Linda L. Truesdale as Aperture’s Director of Development, effective immediately. Ms. Truesdale has over twenty years experience as a fundraising professional with a solid record of achievement identifying, cultivating, and soliciting major individual and institutional donors for organizations in the arts, education, medical/science, and social service fields. Most recently, she held the position of Director of Development at The Center for Creative Photography, University of Arizona, Tucson.

“We are thrilled to welcome Linda to Aperture,” said Celso Gonzalez-Falla, Chairman of the Board, Aperture. “In this challenging economy, the role of development in an arts organization has never been more critical. We are delighted to have someone with Linda’s vast and varied experience join our team to develop an ambitious fundraising plan that aligns with Aperture’s institutional strategic initiative as we embrace the digital age and gear up to celebrate our sixtieth birthday in 2012.”

As Director of Development, Ms. Truesdale’s primary responsibility is to provide overall strategy and leadership in the planning, implementation, and management of a diverse and comprehensive fundraising program. This will include the pursuit of individual, foundation, corporate, and government support for Aperture’s general operations, photography exhibitions, books, limited-edition prints, the award-winning Aperture magazine, and educational programs. A member of Aperture’s senior management team, Ms. Truesdale will work closely with the Executive Director and the board.

Prior to joining The Center for Creative Photography, Ms. Truesdale was Director of Development for Tuesday’s Children in Manhasset, New York, providing support and services for children of 9/11 victims and others impacted by global terrorism. As a fundraising consultant, she worked with such clients as the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music; Mark Twain House; Alzheimer’s Association of Northern New Jersey; and Bomb magazine. Other posts included Senior Vice President, Development, Northern Westchester Hospital Center Foundation, Mount Kisco, New York; and Manager of Major Gifts, Animal Medical Center, New York.

Ms. Truesdale, who lives in Brooklyn, holds a BA in American Studies from Yale University. She studied black-and-white photography at the Portland School of Art (now the Maine College of Art).