Yvonne Delgado Thomas holds a Master’s in Education Administration from Youngstown State University, a BSE in Education from Kent State University, and licensure as a superintendent, principal, and teacher. Yvonne has been at The Fine Arts Association for five years. Prior to, Yvonne was the Corporate & Foundation Relations Officer with Kent State University’s Institutional Advancement and was a school administrator with the Lake County Educational Service Center for 14 years including serving as the Director of the Porter Center for Science and Mathematics for six of those years.

As a Latina American, Yvonne strives to support issues and to bring in funding that helps promote 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, UW’s Women United committee, Willoughby Arts Collaborative, 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 grants, grants administration, major gifts, annual fund, planned giving, special events, capital requests, etc. Yvonne’s focus is on meeting with prospective donors and helping to cultivate relationships. She has strong connections with corporations, schools, non-profits, government, foundations, private funders, 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 people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. She loves spending time with her family – husband and sons.  She is proud and grateful for her sons’ active service to our country. Yvonne is also an artist specializing in acrylics, teaches art classes, paints rain barrels, and draws. She enjoys attending FAA activities, spending time on her farm with her dogs and horses, making maple syrup & apple cider, cooking, gardening, and traveling.