Katie Shames

Katie Shames, J.D., is a seasoned fundraising professional with extensive experience in major gifts and planned giving, currently serving as Senior Planned Giving and Major Gift Officer at The Cleveland Orchestra since January 2020. Prior to this role, Katie was the Director of the Center for Arts and Innovation at Cleveland State University from November 2000 to November 2019, where significant contributions were made to fundraising, program planning, and marketing. Katie also founded and directed the Arts and Humanities Alive! (AHA) Festival, which hosted a variety of cultural events featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning authors and performances. Education includes a J.D. from New York Law School and a B.A. in History and Music from Vassar College, complemented by summer coursework in English history and literature at Cambridge University.