Wilmington resident Kitty Yerkes has joined the staff of the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science as donor relations director, the museum announced recently in a news release.

“In her new role, Yerkes will foster strong working relationships with businesses in the area; educate and inform the community on the vital importance of the museum and its economic impact; strengthen the philanthropic support of the museum and work collaboratively with other non-profits to achieve museum goals,” the release stated.   

Yerkes has nearly 15 years’ experience in fundraising and grant writing as well as donor relationship management and annual fund management, according to the release. Most recently she was the development director for Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity. Before that, she served as director of operations and development for Wilmington’s Domestic Violence Shelter.

Yerkes “brings expertise and enthusiasm to the important work of philanthropy that will provide new opportunities for the museum to serve the community,” museum director Sheryl Kingery Mays said in the release.