Katherine Stenesen. (Photo by Kelly Alexander.)

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science has named a veteran fundraiser and East Dallas neighbor as its chief development officer.

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Katherine Stenesen will join the Perot Museum in January after working for the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, where she most recently served as chief development officer. During her eight-year tenure, Stenesen led the fundraising team and secured more than $60 million in annual commitments through corporate campaigns, corporate gifts and community giving.

Prior to United Way, Stenesen spent nearly eight years at Southern Methodist University, where she rebuilt the donor relations program and obtained increases in donor acquisition, retention and giving levels.

“This is an opportunity that allows me to return to my roots in education and aligns with a mission that is very personal to me – inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, leaders in technology, innovators in medicine and those who believe the possibilities are endless,” Stenesen said in a statement.

She will assume her duties at the Perot on Jan. 13.

The nonprofit strategist has a Bachelor of Arts in speech communication from the University of Washington and a Master of Arts in student development administration from Seattle University.

Stenesen, her husband and their two children live in East Dallas, just east of Little Forest Hills.