Zschau Will Grow Unrestricted Giving Through BAAF’s Annual Fund and Signature Annual Events
BOSTON, MA, July 22, 2026 —Today, Boston Arts Academy Foundation (BAAF) announced that Maryann Zschau has joined the team as Director of Annual Giving. As a senior fundraising and events strategist, Zschau has deepened donor relationships and driven multimillion-dollar philanthropic investments at leading healthcare organizations, including Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/The Jimmy Fund, South Shore Health, and Newton-Wellesley Hospital.
As Director of Annual Giving, Zschau will lead and grow a comprehensive annual giving program that fuels BAAF’s mission to support Boston and the Commonwealth’s only public high school for the visual and performing arts. She also will support annual events, including HONORS, BAAF’s signature annual celebration and BAAF’s largest single source of unrestricted funding. Each year, this unforgettable evening brings together leaders in the arts, business, philanthropy, and civic life to celebrate individuals whose work reflects the creativity, leadership, and community impact at the heart of Boston Arts Academy’s mission.
“Contributing to the next generation of artists and creative leaders resonates with me in a very real way,” said Zschau. “This is a rare moment where my passion for the arts, my commitment to community impact, and my experience building thoughtful, long-term donor relationships all come together naturally.”
At South Shore Health and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/The Jimmy Fund, Zschau led donor cultivation and event fundraising portfolios generating more than $10 million annually. Her leadership of CowParade New England, a large-scale public art initiative, raised more than $1.1 million by uniting artists, corporate partners, volunteers, and donors around an ambitious creative project. Previously, at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, she directed four signature fundraising events, each raising between $250,000 and $1 million annually.
“Maryann’s passion as an artist, authentic engagement with donors and volunteers, strategic leadership, and results-driven mindset are tremendous assets to the school and Boston Arts Academy Foundation,” said Laura Alpert, BAAF’s Chief Advancement and Communications Officer. “We are delighted that she has chosen to join our team and are pleased to partner with her to support Boston Arts Academy’s diverse and talented students and alumni.”
Zschau began her career in arts marketing and public relations at Verne Q. Powell Flutes and the Lyric Stage Company of Boston, building a foundation in storytelling, audience engagement, and brand strategy that informs her approach to donor communications and mission-aligned messaging. The
Weymouth resident graduated cum laude from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Theatre and Communications.
Zschau invites the community to attend the star-studded BAAF HONORS event with the theme “Come Dream With Us—A Masquerade Ball” on Thursday, October 22 at MGM Music Hall at Fenway. Modeled after the Kennedy Center Honors, this prestigious event honors leaders in TV & Film, Visual Arts, Music, Dance, Fashion, Civic Responsibility, and Lifetime Achievement, while ensuring that Boston Arts Academy students have the resources they need to thrive. Visit baafhonors.org to buy tickets, tables, sponsorships, ads, or to donate.
About the Boston Arts Academy Foundation
Established in 1999, the Boston Arts Academy Foundation (BAAF) is an independent 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization that exists to fund the exceptional arts-intensive educational experience that distinguishes Boston Arts Academy from other public schools. Through philanthropy, BAAF funds arts education: student opportunity, arts innovation, wellness, college and career readiness, alumni success, and other mission-aligned priorities that enrich the educational experience and support student achievement. BAAF’s role is to elevate, enhance, and expand opportunities in arts education beyond what public funding alone can support. For more information, visit baafdn.org.
About the Boston Arts Academy
Founded in 1998 as the city’s only public high school for the visual and performing arts, Boston Arts Academy (BAA) has distinguished itself among urban public high schools as a leader in innovative and effective student-centered education. Consistently recognized locally and nationally for its achievements, BAA exemplifies the power of an arts-rich education, and many BAA graduates have found success in college through the arts. BAA’s dynamic program prepares graduates to be critical thinkers, effective communicators, collaborators, and creators. Students come from all of Boston’s 23 neighborhoods to receive the formal arts training and academic instruction that will make them Boston’s next generation of artists and cultural leaders. For more information, visit https://bostonartsacademy.org/.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Regan Communications Group:
Erin Gourley – egourley@regancomm.com ( c ) 646-357-2293
Doug Haslam – dhaslam@regancomm.com ( c ) 617-851-1968
