Staff Highlight: Jasmin McFayden, Executive Assistant
Jasmin joined the BRAHM team in February of 2018. Her role as Executive Assistant stretches far and wide. In addition to clerical tasks and supporting BRAHM’s director and Board of Trustees, she oversees membership development and BRAHM’s special fundraising events, like the Annual Gala. She works alongside volunteer committees whose members lend support, ideas, and leadership in event planning and membership engagement. “Though BRAHM has a small staff, it rolls out programs, exhibitions, and events on a grand scale. We couldn’t do it without the support of our Board and volunteers who care deeply for the museum and Blowing Rock.”
Jasmin came to BRAHM after working for seven years at Penland School of Craft in Mitchell County NC. While at Penland, she assisted with the Campaign for Penland’s Future, a $30 million campaign that raised funds for capital projects, annual giving, and the organization’s endowment fund. “It was an invaluable experience. Penland, like BRAHM, has such a strong community dedicated to its success. It took me under its wing during an influential time in my life, just out of college.” Jasmin earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Art History from Appalachian State University in 2010. “How fortunate I was to have gone from one stellar arts non-profit to another. I think about that all the time.”
Membership and fundraising are critical for BRAHM to carry out its mission. “Our membership, which is so mission-focused, understands this too. BRAHM’s members and supporters are also its greatest ambassadors. They fuel the museum’s educational offerings.” Special events are an opportunity for supporters to come together in celebration of BRAHM and its accomplishments. “We are celebrating the entire BRAHM community. It is an opportunity to have some fun and thank our supporters for all that they have helped BRAHM achieve. And, if there is an educational opportunity within all of the fun, we like to slide that in too!”
Jasmin and her husband Tony live and work in Blowing Rock. They love the town and the mountains. Both are graduates of Appalachian State and were totally thrilled to return to Watauga County after Tony completed graduate school. Suffice to say, they love being outdoors in this most beautiful place in the world. Their two-year-old daughter Maggie also loves being outside. “We have to convince her to come in. If it’s just not happening, usually a cookie does the trick.” Maggie inherited Jasmin’s affinity for horses. “Bass Lake is a favorite spot in hopes we might see one or two. We also loved attending the Hunter Jumper Charity Horse Show last summer. It was truly a world-class event.” Jasmin and her family hope to remain part of this wonderful community for years to come.
