Ariel Vilardo

Grants & Sponsorship Manager

Advancement

About Ariel

Ariel joined the Chautauqua Institution in early 2024 as the grants and sponsorships manager. Ariel is responsible for building and fostering relationships with local, regional, and national foundations and corporations. She works closely with internal teams to apply for funding that supports a wide range of programs and projects at Chautauqua Institution. 

Ariel is a local to the Lake Erie region having grown up in Erie, Pennsylvania and living in the Chautauqua area for the last five years. She has a master’s degree in public administration with a focus on non-profit management from Gannon University and has worked in both the non-profit and private sectors. She has experience in grant writing, fundraising, and client management through her work with Mercyhurst University, Chautauqua Health Network, and other local organizations throughout her career.

Why did you choose to work at Chautauqua? What do you like about working at Chautauqua?

“The mission of Chautauqua Institution aligns with my belief that the expansion of knowledge is always needed. I support the goal of creatively and critically thinking about our world and the way we interact with it.”

Current and Former Volunteer or Board Roles

Ariel has and continues to volunteer for several women’s organizations in Erie, Pennsylvania, such as the Mercy Center for Women and Erie Dwellings and Advocacy for Women in Need (Erie DAWN). She has also participated as a committee member for the United Way and ATHENA Erie.

Personal Interests

Ariel enjoys spending time on her family farm with her wife and in-laws. Vilardo Vineyards is a working grape farm in Westfield, New York spanning nearly 300 acres. She also enjoys reading, crafting, and spending time with her dogs and family.