Russell Reynolds Associates Names Emily K. Rafferty to Help Counsel Boards of Nonprofit Organizations

Board performance has become a critical area of focus for nonprofit organizations. To help clients create more dynamic and effective boards, Russell Reynolds Associates announced the appointment of Emily K. Rafferty, President Emerita of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, as Senior Director in the firm’s Nonprofit and Board Effectiveness Practices.

Rafferty joins a global team of experts with deep experience working with a diverse array of nonprofit organizations world-wide. The firm’s Board Effectiveness Practice provides consulting services to Boards on improving areas such as board culture, director effectiveness and engagement, board and committee processes and structure, and aligning board composition to the organization’s vision and mission.

The first woman to be elected in this position, Rafferty served with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the nation’s largest art museum, for nearly 40 years. She was elected president by the Metropolitan’s Board of Trustees in 2005 after a long career at the institution, where she rose through the ranks in the areas of development and external affairs.

Rafferty serves as well as Chairwoman of NYC & Company, the City’s official tourism and marketing agency. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. In addition, Rafferty was named to the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in 2011 and became Chairman in 2012. She has recently been named Special Adviser to UNESCO for Heritage Protection and Conservation.