Yvonne Delgado Thomas holds a Master’s in Education Administration from Youngstown State University, a BSE in Education from Kent State University, Yvonne has been at The Fine Arts Association since 2013. Prior, Yvonne was the Corporate & Foundation Relations Officer (4 years) at Kent State University and was a school administrator with Lake County Educational Service Center (14 years) including serving as the Director of the Porter Center for Science and Mathematics for six years.

As a Latina-American woman, Yvonne advocates for girls and women, people of color, and underrepresented populations. She is proud to be a graduate of Leadership Lake County Class of 2020, an active member of United Way Lake County’s Director’s Council, 1st Chair of UWLC’s Women United Committee, Member of the Willoughby Arts Fund Committee, and a board member of WomenSafe.

As the Director of Development at FAA, Yvonne serves as the senior fundraiser reporting to the CEO and working closely with the board of directors and the board development committee ensuring all development activities are aligned with FAA’s mission and strategies. Yvonne is responsible for all fundraising activities including annual fund, major gifts, planned giving, grants, sponsorships, scholarships, capital requests, etc. Yvonne’s focus is on meeting and cultivating relationships with existing and prospective donors. She has strong relationships with corporations, schools, non-profits, government, foundations, and individuals throughout the region.

Yvonne was raised in an artistic family and greatly appreciates and respects the benefits that arts and culture bring to communities and to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. She loves spending time with her family – husband and sons.  Also, Yvonne is an artist specializing in acrylics and pencil/charcoal. Her art has been exhibited at Lakeland Community College’s May Show Extended Exhibit and at her website. She is proud of her courageous sons — one an Army veteran and the other active in the Navy. In her off time, Yvonne spends time on her farm with her dogs and horses, creates art, travels, makes maple syrup & apple cider, cooks, gardens, and exercises.