Katharine DeShaw

Executive Director

Katharine DeShaw is the Executive Director for United States Artists and in that capacity serves on its Board of Directors. On September 1, 2005, she was named the founding executive director of United States Artists. Ms. DeShaw has enjoyed a long career in the nonprofit sector working as a consultant, philanthropic advisor, senior development officer, and teacher.

Consulting from 2002-05, she provided strategic management to national nonprofits and philanthropists. Ms. DeShaw created and launched the Nimoy Foundation and designed their national program Visual Artist Residences. She spent 12 years in art museum management, leading development efforts at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, MN. Ms. DeShaw also served as the senior development officer for Gay Men's Health Crisis raising the first major corporate, foundation, and individual contributions in the fight against AIDS worldwide. Early in her career, she led record-breaking fundraising campaigns for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and Twyla Tharp Dance based in New York City.

Born and raised in Duluth, MN, Ms. DeShaw now lives in Los Angeles with her husband Mark and son Sam.