About Pierson Brown

Pierson Brown is the Development Manager at the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga, TN. In this role, she manages membership, grant, and fundraising initiatives in support of the museum's mission to connect people of all backgrounds to creativity, knowledge and ideas. 

While at the Hunter, Pierson has led the annual, two-night fall fundraiser, Spectrum, making certain that both the silent auction cocktail party and gala with live auction are executed seamlessly. Details managed include entertainment, production, food and drink, guest check-in, and online and live bidding. Through sponsorships, ticket and table sales, and art purchases, Spectrum annually raises over $750,000 in operating support. 

Pierson also redesigned the Hunter's annual spring fundraiser, creating Terrace at Twilight, a one-night event inviting sponsors and community members to celebrate as a creative community in support of the museum. In its inaugural year, Terrace at Twilight raised over $120,000 through sponsorships, ticket sales, a silent auction, and on-site donation opportunities. A 29% increase in revenue from the previous year's spring event, Terrace proved a great success and continues each April at the Hunter. 

In the office, Pierson serves as a primary contact for the museum's 1,500+ members, including a group of 400 philanthropic level donors in the Hunter's Chairman's Circle. Duties include monthly membership renewals and fulfillments, assisting with member benefits, and hosting specialty monthly events on and off-site for Chairman's Circle members. With the support of the Development Database Administrator, Pierson maintains records in CRM Altru (a Blackbaud product), keeping track of RSVPs, event attendance, trustee participation, sponsorships, and donor interactions. 

Pierson serves additionally as the Hunter's grant manager, writing applications and reports for 15+ granting organizations annually. This includes state and federal governments, private foundations, Fortune 500 corporations, local NGOs, and more. The Hunter's annual grant revenue is approximately $300,000, making a substantial impact towards the department's yearly goals. 

She received an MA in Museum Studies from New York University in 2023. While studying in New York, she held short-term positions at Christie's and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. 

Pierson's undergraduate degree is from American University. This interdisciplinary degree combined Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government (CLEG). In addition, she received a minor in Art History and an Advanced Leadership Studies Certificate.

In the community, Pierson is an active participant in the 2025 Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute, presented by ArtsBuild. She serves annually as a senior counselor at American Legion Auxiliary's Volunteer Girls State, a civic education and leadership experience for rising high school seniors in the state of Tennessee.

Outside of the professional space, Pierson can be found treasure hunting at estate sales and vintage stores, collaging on Pinterest, creating bizarre baked goods (image above) or working towards her goal to visit all 50 states (only 14 to go!).