Winona Bechtle is an arts and culture leader working across partnerships, fundraising, business development, and cultural strategy. For more than a decade, she has helped artists, institutions, and creative organizations build the relationships and resources that allow ambitious work to happen.

Experience

Bob Baker Marionette Theater
Director of Partnerships · 2022–2026
Director of Development & Partnerships · 2016–2022
Lead strategic partnerships, cultural programming, sponsorship, and external relations for one of Los Angeles’ longest-running performing arts institutions. Previously built and led the Theater’s development program through its transition to nonprofit status, relocation, and major organizational growth, laying the fundraising foundation that has contributed to $6M+ raised and growth into a $3M+ annual organization. Today, I develop large-scale cultural collaborations and partnerships spanning Coachella, Netflix, Paramount, Spotify, Apple, Gucci, the Getty, LACMA, and more, and spearhead Bob Baker Day, BBMT’s annual free arts festival welcoming 35,000+ Angelenos.

Bald Agency
Head of Business Development · 2023–2026
Led business development and client strategy across 60+ organizations, stewarding a $50M+ pipeline and $100K–$1M+ creative engagements. Previously Head of Accounts.

Autonomy
Marketing Project Manager · 2022–2023
Led integrated marketing campaigns, cross-functional workflows, and scalable marketing operations for a fast-growing e-commerce platform.

Armory Center for the Arts
Exhibition Program Manager · 2016–2018
Produced public programs, performances, screenings, and conversations connecting artists and exhibitions with broader audiences.

Machine Project
Development Assistant · 2014–2016
Supported fundraising, communications, events, and audience development for the influential experimental arts organization.

Leadership

Los Angeles Filmforum — Board President
Vidiots — Advisory Board
Museum of Neon Art — Advisory Board
El Cine — Advisory Board

Fundraising

More than a decade of experience across institutional giving, major donors, corporate sponsorship, capital campaigns, individual giving, and grant writing. Successful public funding includes the National Endowment for the Arts, California Arts Council, LA County Department of Arts and Culture, and City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, alongside private foundations.

Education

Claremont Graduate University — M.A., Arts Management, 2017
Parsons Foundation Fellow, full scholarship

Scripps College — B.A., Honors, Media Studies & Spanish, 2014

Expertise

Partnerships · Cultural Strategy · Fundraising · Business Development · Sponsorship · Board Development · Grant Writing · Community Engagement · Cultural Programming · Audience Development · Artist Relations · Creative Producing

Spanish — Fluent, written and spoken