Jessica Whitt Garner Bio

As Chief Advancement and External Affairs Officer of the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, Jessica oversees fundraising, marketing and communications, and guest services. In her position, she leads the advancement team and develops strategies for annual giving, endowment, corporate and foundation support, fundraising events, membership, and grants. Jessica directs the sales and revenue growth strategy of general admission visitors and event rentals. She manages all internal and external communications and partnerships including public relations, communications, marketing, and community engagement to broaden the reach and impact of the Museum’s mission to teach the history of the Holocaust and advance human rights to combat prejudice, hatred, and indifference.

A highly experienced development and public relations professional, Jessica has served in key roles at the AT&T Performing Arts Center and as the Director of Development for the SMU Meadows School of the Arts, where she led critical fundraising efforts for annual operations, endowment funding, and capital improvements.

After earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in marketing with academic honors from The University of Texas at Austin, Jessica began her career in nonprofit arts management as the External Affairs Manager for the Arts District Friends in Dallas.

Jessica went on to become one of the early staff members of the Dallas Center for the

Performing Arts, the foundation which oversaw the campaign to design and build the AT&T Performing Arts Center in downtown Dallas Arts District. She planned and produced more than 75 events, including the spectacular groundbreaking and grand opening events.

After the Center’s opening, she became the Associate Director of External Affairs, facilitating institutional communications efforts and overseeing the Center’s brand management, strategic planning, and board relations. Finally, she served as Director of the Capital Campaign, working with board leadership to raise $27 million to retire the Center’s construction debt.

In 2018, Garner was appointed the Director of Development for the SMU Meadows School of the Arts, overseeing and implementing fundraising for its academic divisions and its centers, including the Meadows Museum. She secured six- and seven-figure gifts for annual operations, endowment funding, and capital improvements, including a $34 million campaign to renovate the Owen Arts Center academic building.

Jessica has served on the Board of Directors of Bryan’s House, co-chaired Dallas Wind Symphony’s Opening Night Celebration, and is a sustainer of the Junior League of Dallas. She is a graduate of the Business Council for the Arts’ Leadership Arts program. Jessica is involved at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church and was a founding committee member of the Saint Michael Presents concert series.