Melanie Wine Tolan Joins The Parrish as Director of Communications

Parrish Art Museum Director Mónica Ramírez-Montagut, Ph.D., announced the appointment of Melanie Wine Tolan as the director of donor and external communications, and branding, effective November 6. Tolan brings a significant amount of marketing, education and communications experience to the museum and will help build an in-house communications team.

“When I met the leadership team at the Parrish and became more informed about the work being done to enhance arts education throughout the community, especially for those with limited access to the arts, I was incredibly enthused about the opportunity. The possibilities for the future of the Parrish are tremendous,” said Tolan. “With a refreshed vision and ongoing commitment to providing diverse audiences with access to excellence in the arts, architecture and creativity, it is an exciting time to join the Parrish. Not to mention the joy of being part of incredible experiences in the natural environment on the 14-acre campus every day.”

“There are a significant programs and projects ahead that will require strategic thinking and leadership in communications, marketing and branding and we are thrilled to have Melanie Wine Tolan join the dedicated team at the Parrish,” said Ramírez-Montagut. “Melanie will elevate awareness for the work being done by the talented leaders, artists, educators and partners with the Parrish. We are celebrating our 125th year and embarking on a new strategic plan. It’s an opportune time to have Melanie at the communications helm.”

Tolan, former executive vice president at Edelman, a New York City- and Chicago-headquartered global communications firm, has more than two decades of leadership in communications and brand strategy development. She joins the Parrish from Roanoke College, where she was a member of the senior leadership team and on the President’s Cabinet. At Roanoke College she led the team that introduced a new brand platform including a new logo, updated messaging and renewed website, celebrating a new era for the 181-year-old institution.

Tolan was selected for the position after a comprehensive national search.

For more information, visit parrishart.org. Parrish Art Museum is at 279 Montauk Highway in Water Mill.