Stephen A. Manzi worked as a fundraising professional for more than 40 years. The majority of Steve’s early career was spent as a senior executive with three nationwide philanthropic consulting firms, during which he designed and implemented strategic planning and campaign fundraising efforts for an array of nonprofit institutions that included the United States Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association, The Innocence Project, Catholic Relief Services, Gay Men’s Health Crisis, New York University’s Steinhardt School, Casey Family Programs, and the Junta de Beneficencia de Guayaquil in Ecuador. In 2009, Steve joined the New York Public Library to direct its $1.2 billion “Creating The Library For The Future” capital campaign. Upon the successful completion of the campaign, he was recruited by The Metropolitan Museum of Art, where, during his 14-year tenure, he oversaw all leadership and major giving initiatives involving the cultivation and solicitation of individual donors. Working closely with The Met’s Trustees, executive staff, and curatorial and programmatic leaders, Steve and his team created and implemented funding programs that underwrote operations and activities throughout the Museum. In addition, he was charged with the planning for and execution of The Met’s campaign fundraising initiatives for major facility projects and endowment support. During the course of his work at The Met, he twice served for extended periods as interim Chief Advancement Officer, overseeing all Development, Membership, and Special Events programs.
Steve received his B.A. from Hofstra University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and holds a Master’s degree in English Literature from New York University. He co-wrote the script for the 2003 theatrical film release “The Kiss,” which starred Billy Zane, Terence Stamp, and Eliza Dushku.
Steve served for fourteen years on the board of trustees of the University of Mount Saint Vincent – where he remains a Trustee Emeritus – and for five years on the board of the New York School for the Deaf. He lives in Pleasantville, New York, with his wife, Carla.
