Annie Nikunen

Annie Nikunen (she/her), an Associate on the Institutional Giving team, serves as a strategic and empathetic partner to Advance’s clients and supports the development of work plans, proposals, reports, prospecting materials, and project management systems.

Before joining Advance Collaborative, Annie served as Director of Artistic Planning & Marketing for BlackBox Ensemble, developing expertise across project development, programming, branding, fundraising, grantwriting, and creative strategy. As a founding member and flutist of BlackBox, she gained a ground-up understanding of how to build and sustain nonprofits. She also served as Director of the Classical Department and Business Manager of WKCR-FM, where she was also a DJ, hosting Afternoon Classical and Bach Hour. Annie earned her BA in Music from Barnard College of Columbia University and her MM in Music Composition from NYU. 

Beyond her work at Advance, Annie remains active across her practice as a composer, flutist, dancer and choreographer. She also loves attending performances, practicing and teaching Pilates, writing, flower arranging, and photography. As an Artist Ambassador for Creatives Care, Annie is committed to mental health advocacy in the arts and affordable care for artists.