Dr. Zúñiga is a Visiting Lecturer for Texas A&M University’s Bush School of Government & Public Service Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management program where she teaches Philanthropy in the Nonprofit Environment. She is also a lead instructor for the required “Practicum” component of the Rice University Leadership Institute for Nonprofit Executives (LINE) program at the Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies. A frequent presenter at fundraising conferences, Dr. Zúñiga is an emeritus trustee-at-large on the (CASE) Council for Advancement and Support of Education Board of Trustees. She also serves on the Greater Houston Partnership’s Executive Women’s Partnership, and was named in 2013 by Houston Woman Magazine, “Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women of 2012.” She is an American Leadership Forum Fellow, Class of XXXIV and in 2016 was awarded by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Houston Chapter the M. Anne Murphy Award for Professional Advancement. In 2019, was selected by the Houston Business Journal as one of the Houston Business Journal’s Most Admired CEO’s.
Dr. Zúñiga is the founder of KELLY ZUÑIGA CONSULTING, supporting and leading teams that focus on the successful execution of donor-based philanthropy advisory services. Prior to its founding, Dr. Zúñiga was responsible for the management and operation of Holocaust Museum Houston. In this role, she reported to a 32-member Board of Directors and a 75-member Board of Advisors. During her 10-year tenure, she was responsible for daily operations of the Museum and served as the CEO for the Holocaust Museum Houston Foundation and its 14-member board. Under her leadership, Holocaust Museum Houston became the only fully bilingual Holocaust Museum in the US. In 2019, Holocaust Museum Houston completed the largest capital campaign in its history. This included successfully raising $52,000,000 and completely renovating the facility by expanding its footprint by 36,000 square feet. The Museum now welcomes 100,000 visitors a year and serves more than 48 independent school districts. Her past work experience includes key fundraising positions with the Houston Community College Foundation, Houston Zoo, Inc.; University of Houston System; Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut; Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, California; and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Dr. Kelly Zúñiga earned her Doctor of Education from the University of Houston in Administration and Supervision where her dissertation focused on a study of donors who have made online contributions to universities. In addition, she has earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of San Diego and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from San Diego State University.
