Jane Preston is Deputy Director at New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), contributing to the organization’s strategic direction, and managing the program portfolio. She provides leadership in design and delivery of NEFA grants and services supporting artists; presenting and touring; the New England creative economy; public art; the National Dance Project; National Theater Project and international exchange. Externally, she builds relationships with NEFA’s constituents, organizational and funding partners. Jane has over thirty years of professional experience working with cultural and philanthropic organizations and public agencies on strategic planning, organizational and resource development, financial management and grants program design and evaluation.

Prior to joining NEFA in 2005, Preston consulted on strategic planning, organizational development, and program design for a range of clients including the National Endowment for the Arts. As research fellow at Harvard University’s Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations, Preston explored relationships between nonprofit organizations and funders, future directions in philanthropy, and leadership challenges of museums. Previously, she established and directed the Cultural Facilities Fund, a program of the Nonprofit Finance Fund, in Chicago, and was deputy director for partnership at the Illinois Arts Council. Preston also served as Director of Development for the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, and held senior development positions at the American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco and New England Conservatory in Boston. 

Originally from the west coast, Preston holds a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Wellesley College. She resides in Medford, Massachusetts.