As the Director of Development for Duke Arts, Betsy creates and implements fundraising strategies, manages gifts and sponsorships, and builds relationships with donors, alumni, foundations, and other stakeholders. Betsy brings extensive experience in the arts, having previously worked at Carolina Performing Arts (CPA) at the University of North Carolina and as a Major Gifts Officer at the Indianapolis Zoological Society. Betsy holds a BFA in Dance from the University of Michigan, an MA in Arts Administration from Eastern Michigan University, and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).
Read below to learn more about Betsy’s role, her passion for dance, a few animal facts, which artist she has on repeat, and more!
As the inaugural Director of Development at Duke Arts, my primary responsibility is to strategically plan and execute all fundraising initiatives for Duke’s cultural epicenter. This includes cultivating relationships with potential funders to support the vision set forth by John Brown, the Vice Provost for the Arts. I was particularly drawn to this organization because of the opportunity to pioneer the development roadmap for philanthropy. Being the first to establish and implement fundraising strategies allows me to shape the future of arts programming and cultural enrichment at the University. Collaborating closely with John to fund his dreams adds an exciting dimension to my role, as I am passionate about leveraging philanthropy to integrate the arts into the fabric of the Duke experience.
The arts have always been a significant part of my life, and through two impactful internships—one with Doug Varone and Dancers, and another with the University Musical Society at the University of Michigan—I discovered my passion for the business side of the arts industry. After I obtained my master’s in arts administration, I truly honed in on my career path. Landing my first job at the Indianapolis Ballet provided me with a comprehensive introduction to all the costumes of arts management. Among these, I found myself most drawn to development work. The profound impact fundraising efforts have on advancing the organization’s mission resonated with me more than any other area. I’ve always been quite social, and relationship-driven, too. I enjoy this aspect of the work, cultivating relationships with a diverse spectrum of funders, helping them align their philanthropic goals with the mission-driven work of our organization.
“Much like the private sector seeks returns on investment, my focus lies in generating impactful outcomes for programs that shape our community and enrich the cultural fabric of our nation.”
In the upcoming academic year, I am particularly excited about several key projects that align with our strategic goals at Duke Arts. Firstly, establishing a dedicated Board of Directors for our organization is a priority. This initiative will not only provide strategic guidance but also enhance our fundraising capabilities by leveraging the expertise and networks of influential leaders committed to advancing arts and cultural enrichment at Duke. Secondly, I look forward to shaping our funding priorities based on our updated strategic plan. Over the summer we are developing a new roadmap, outlining clear initiatives that align with our mission and vision for Duke Arts. Additionally, building relationships with alumni and funders who share a passion for campus and the arts is essential.
Are you interested in learning about donor opportunities at Duke Arts? Email Betsy at betsy.boulden@duke.edu.
I grew up right by Butler University in Indianapolis, and my journey into dance started early. My parents signed me up for the university’s pre-professional dance program when I was just 3 years old. It might sound funny, but even at that young age, I was serious about dance. I dreamed of joining a ballet company, although I quickly realized I didn’t have the perfect ballet feet—I joke about having ‘terrible feet’! By middle school, I was spending nearly 20 hours a week dancing outside of school at Butler. It became my second home and paved the way for the career I have today. Dance wasn’t just a hobby for me; it was something ingrained in my life from the start. It brought me immense joy and lifelong friendships, and it never occurred to me that I had a choice—it was just something I had to do.
A close friend and yoga teacher once described movement as ‘my church,’ and that really resonates with me. Dance isn’t just physical; it’s spiritual and emotional—it’s where I feel most connected to myself and has always been a safe space to process, especially when the world feels chaotic.
Working at the Zoo was such a unique and fun job. I routinely took funders on “behind the scenes” outings where they got to hear firsthand from the dedicated animal caretakers. On these tours, I learned an incredible amount about different species, especially those endangered. It’s not commonly known that most accredited Zoos are conservation organizations first and foremost. Along those lines here are two animal facts through a conservation lens and one just for fun:
Almost 98 elephants a day are poached in Africa, mainly by criminals seeking ivory to sell in Asian markets. Elephant tusks are actually enlarged incisor teeth that are connected to their skull and have nerve endings. So, having them removed is extremely painful and they do not grow back after they are broken, removed, or damaged.
Orangutans, which are primates, share 97% of our DNA as humans. Unfortunately, all 3 species of orangutans are critically endangered due to habitat destruction for palm oil plantations. Almost 80% of their habitat has been lost. Most people don’t realize how frequently palm oil is used in our everyday lives, from soap to food, it’s in 50% of all household and food products sold in the west.
The bend in a flamingo’s leg that looks like a knee is its ankle joint. The flamingo’s knee is located higher up the leg, hidden by their feathers and body. They also are not born pink, they hatch with white or gray feathers and gradually develop their pink color through their diet.
Laufey! There is no amount of Laufey that is the right amount in my life at the moment.