Meet Your Instructor

Karen Simonian is an experienced writer, editor, and nonprofit fundraiser. Karen worked for the Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University for 25 years, focused variously on grant writing, stakeholder communications, media relations, and strategic messaging. As co-interim head of advancement in 2024, she oversaw major philanthropic initiatives; directed and implemented the grants program; and co-led a fundraising team. Over the years, she secured major funding for the Wex’s nonprofit affiliate (Wexner Center Foundation) from such entities as the National Endowment for the Arts, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and significantly expanded and diversified the center’s funding sources. She also directed the center’s media relations efforts, procuring coverage in such outlets as the New York Times, the New Yorker, Vogue, and Artforum, and on CBS News Sunday Morning, PBS News Hour, and NPR. Prior to joining the Wex, Simonian was an award-winning writer and arts editor for Columbus newsweekly The Other Paper, and wrote for Columbus Monthly magazine and other outlets. Simonian has served on grants, PR, and marketing panels and committees over the years, and currently serves on the Columbus Metropolitan Club Program Committee. She has been a board member of Dine Originals Columbus, co-chair of the Columbus Arts Marketing Association, and a fellow of the Next Generation of Leaders program at the Jefferson Center’s Academy for Leadership & Governance. She holds a B.A. in English/journalism from Miami University, and attended the university’s campus in Luxembourg.