Hilary Blakemore Brings Decades of Fundraising Expertise to Nonprofit Organization
Portland, ORE., United States—July 13, 2026—Portland Japanese Garden announced today the appointment of Hilary Blakemore as Chief Development Officer. In her role, Blakemore will lead major gifts fundraising and both build and sustain community engagement. Her first day at Portland Japanese Garden is July 13.
“I’ve admired Portland Japanese Garden for years—not only for its beauty, but for the way it creates opportunities for connection, harmony, and peace,” shares Blakemore. “It’s a privilege to join an organization with such an inspiring mission, and I look forward to building relationships with the community that makes its work possible.”
Blakemore is a proven and respected fundraising leader. She brings nearly two decades of leadership experience in philanthropy, nonprofit management, and arts and cultural organizations, including most recently serving as Vice President for Development at the Oregon Symphony. Blakemore’s career also includes leadership roles in higher education and youth-serving nonprofits, giving her broad experience, building meaningful partnerships that strengthen organizations and communities. She holds a Master of Public Administration and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Northern Kentucky University and a bachelor’s degree in International Business Management from Miami University.
“Hilary has a proven track record of being an excellent steward of philanthropy for nonprofit organizations,” share Lisa Christy and Aki Nakanishi, Co-Chief Executive Officers of Portland Japanese Garden. “Her strategic fundraising expertise, strong management experience, and genuine love of connecting with people will help Portland Japanese Garden better pursue its mission of Inspiring Harmony and Peace.”
Those interested in providing their philanthropic support to Portland Japanese Garden are encouraged to reach Blakemore by emailing hblakemore@japanesegarden.org.
Media Contact
Will Lerner
Marketing and Communications Manager
(503) 542-9351 (office)
wlerner@japanesegarden.org
About Portland Japanese Garden
Portland Japanese Garden is a nonprofit organization originally founded in 1963 as a place for cross-cultural understanding following World War II. A hallmark in the City of Portland, the Garden was founded on the ideals of peace and mutual understanding between peoples and cultures. Portland Japanese Garden is considered the most authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan and the foremost Japanese cultural organization in North America.
About Japan Institute
Japan Institute was established in 2020 as a global cultural initiative of Portland Japanese Garden. This sibling organization is the programmatic arm of Portland Japanese Garden, allowing us to share and expand our cultural programs more broadly around the world, deepen international partnerships, and continue to engage diverse people in shared experiences and conversations about peace, beauty, and connection of nature.
Portland Japanese Garden & Japan Institute share the mission: Inspiring Harmony and Peace.