Page Kiniry, president and CEO of Brookgreen Gardens, will be the guest speaker at the Inspiring Women's Luncheon on Tuesday, March 26, at noon in the Wall Lowcountry Center Auditorium at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet. She will share her background as well as stories about the trailblazing women of Brookgreen, including Anna Hyatt Huntington, the nonprofit's founder and an internationally recognized sculptor. The luncheon is sponsored by Women in Philanthropy and Leadership at Coastal Carolina University.

Kiniry has vast experience in fundraising and revenue generation. Prior to joining Brookgreen Gardens in 2017, she served as the executive director of the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News, Va. During her 11-year tenure, she eliminated the museum's $9 million debt, added several new permanent exhibits such as the Conservation Garden and Dinosaur Discovery Trail as well as new amenities including a café and amphitheater. She oversaw the museum's first Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation, expanded conservation efforts, and led the museum's rebranding campaign and 50th anniversary celebration.

Kiniry also served for eight years as the executive director and the director of development for the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and the VIMS Foundation in Gloucester Point, Va. From 1991-97, she was the assistant dean of development and alumni affairs at the College of William and Mary School of Law. Kiniry previously served as the director of development for the Museum of Fine Arts in Roanoke, Va.

She has served as a peer reviewer for the American Alliance of Museums, a grant reviewer for the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and was on the board of directors of the Chesapeake Conservancy, the Peninsula SPCA, and a trustee of Walsingham Academy.

Kiniry earned a bachelor's degree from the College of William and Mary and a master's degree in humanities from the University of Richmond. She and her husband, Bill, have four children and live in Pawleys Island, S.C.

The cost to attend the luncheon is $20 for WIPL members and $25 for nonmembers. To register or for more information, email wipl-adm@coastal.edu or call 843-349-5033. Learn more at coastal.edu/wipl.

WIPL was founded in 2007 under the leadership of CCU first lady Terri DeCenzo. It is committed to inspiring, connecting and empowering women to strengthen their individual and collective voices in leadership at CCU and in the community, state, region and beyond. Members include faculty, staff and community leaders who are committed to creating and supporting opportunities for women in all areas of leadership and across all disciplines, while continuing to invest in scholarships for CCU students. Since its inception, WIPL has awarded 210 students more than $260,000 in financial support through a fully endowed scholarship and annual awards.