Crystal Churchwell Evans, former director of Development for Frist Art Museum, has joined Fisk University as its vice president of Development and Alumni Affairs, according to Dr. Agenia Clark, the university’s president.
“Crystal brings a wealth of knowledge in business, community partnerships and communications to Fisk and I am elated for her to join our team,” said Dr. Clark. “Not only is Crystal well-experienced in organizational development, she also has a long-standing connection to the institution as her grandfather, a Fisk alumnus, met her grandmother while a student at Fisk. Passionate about community engagement and social justice, Crystal embodies values deeply ingrained in the university’s mission and we are thrilled to welcome her to Fisk.”
For nearly six years, Evans served as the director of Development at the Frist Art Museum, showcasing her strong leadership and commitment to the museum’s growth. In this capacity, she oversaw various revenue sources, supervised a team of 10 and collaborated closely with the CEO. Evans’ tenure at Frist was underscored by her implementation of influential fundraising initiatives, the nurturing of donor connections and the improvement of organizational processes—all of which significantly contributed to the museum’s financial prosperity.
Aside from her development skills, Evans’ experience working with renowned Fortune 500 companies like Mars and SC Johnson allowed her to establish strategic marketing skills. Her expertise in communications will be extremely valuable to crafting compelling campaigns geared towards stronger investment in the university as well as fostering long-term community partnerships.
Most recently, Evans served as the strategic marketing advisor to Launch Tennessee, a 501(c)3 public-private partnership supporting an ecosystem for heightened entrepreneurship and innovation in Tennessee.
“I am overjoyed to work at a university with such rich history and an exciting future,” said Evans. “I look forward to working alongside such talented and experienced professionals at Fisk and am truly honored to join this well-decorated team.”
Evans’ dedication extends beyond professional excellence: her active involvement in the Nashville community demonstrates her commitment to community impact. Furthermore, her passion for education, underscored by her co-chair and volunteer experience at her alma mater, Wellesley College, makes her a valuable asset to Fisk University.
Evans is a graduate of Wellesley College and Vanderbilt University, Owen Graduate School of Management.
