New Chief Marketing, Communications, & Digital Officer and Chief Development Officer to propel growth and extend reach
Download high-resolution images of Ana Echegoyen and Meredith Brunen.
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary today announced the appointment of Ana Echegoyen as Chief Marketing, Communications & Digital Officer and Dr. Meredith N. Brunen as Chief Development Officer. Both positions will support the institution as it expands access to all through a complete gallery transformation and substantial expansion set to open in 2026.
Ana Echegoyen, who officially starts at Crystal Bridges and the Momentary on March 31, brings more than 15 years of global experience in strategic marketing, digital integration, and audience engagement to the institution. She will lead the Brand Strategy and Communications division, which includes a full suite of marketing, public relations, content, creative, and digital strategy responsibilities.
For many years, Echegoyen served as an executive strategy consultant, guiding global brands in positioning and retail strategy. She has held leadership roles at Tracy Locke and Saatchi & Saatchi X, where she spearheaded strategic planning initiatives for clients such as Kellogg’s, SC Johnson, Coca-Cola, and Procter & Gamble across North America, Latin America, and Europe.
Prior to joining Crystal Bridges and the Momentary, Echegoyen formalized her dedication to the arts through graduate studies at New York University’s Art Management program and certifications from Sotheby’s Institute of Art. Her expertise extends beyond marketing, encompassing audience engagement strategies, narrative development, and a strong commitment to fostering inclusivity in the arts.
Originally from Mexico City, Echegoyen has called Northwest Arkansas home for the past 25 years, with periods of residence in New York City. Her lifelong passion for the arts was sparked early, inspired by her mother’s love of museums and her father’s encouragement of creativity. Today, she shares that passion for culture with her husband and two sons.
Dr. Meredith N. Brunen, a native of Northwest Arkansas, began leading strategic fundraising initiatives at Crystal Bridges and the Momentary on March 3. Previously, she served as Vice President for Advancement at Hendrix College, where she played a key role in advancing fundraising and constituent engagement. Past roles include fundraising for the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (formerly the Arkansas Arts Center) in Little Rock; and Vice President for University Advancement at the University of West Georgia (UWG) in Carrollton, Georgia, where she led the institution to its most successful fundraising year in history.
Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Brunen has been recognized as the 2019 Outstanding Young Alumni of the Year by the University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions, a Forty Under 40 honoree by the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal, and the 2014 Young Woman of the Year by the Northwest Arkansas Businesswomen’s Conference.
A three-time graduate of the University of Arkansas, Dr. Brunen holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations and Middle East studies, as well as a master’s and doctoral degree in higher education leadership. She and her husband, Kyle, a fellow University of Arkansas alumnus and health and wellness professional, have two young sons, Jude and Beau.
Both women will join the Executive Council, with Echegoyen reporting to Executive Director Rod Bigelow, and Brunen reporting to Susan Peacock, Chief Impact Officer.
“We are pleased to welcome Ana and Meredith to Crystal Bridges and the Momentary,” said Bigelow. “Their strategic leadership and creative vision in their respective fields are essential additions to our team as we navigate this important and exciting phase of growth. Together, we will further our mission of access and engage more people in the conversation around art, culture, and community.”
Echegoyen and Brunen join the museum during a moment of dynamic transformation. The museum sits on a 134-acre campus for art and wellness filled with nature walks, outdoor sculpture, and trails connecting new buildings that will soon open to the public. In 2026, Crystal Bridges will complete a 114,000 square foot expansion, substantially increasing spaces for learning, engagement, community, and ever-broadening stories of American art. A concurrent museum-wide gallery refresh has begun this spring. For more information, visit crystalbridges.org.
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About Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Since opening in 2011, the museum has welcomed more than 14 million visitors across its spaces, with no cost for admission. Crystal Bridges was founded in 2005 as a non-profit charitable organization by arts patron and philanthropist, Alice Walton. The collection spans five centuries of American masterworks from early American to current day and is enhanced by temporary exhibitions. The museum is nestled on 134 acres of Ozark landscape and was designed by the world-renowned Safdie Architects. A rare Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house was preserved and relocated to the museum grounds in 2015. Home of the prestigious Don Tyson Prize for the Advancement of American Art and Tyson Scholars of American Art Program, Crystal Bridges offers public programs including lectures, performances, classes, and teacher development opportunities. Some 478,375 school children have participated in the Willard and Pat Walker School Visit program, which provides educational experiences for school groups at no cost to the schools. Additional museum amenities include a restaurant, gift store, library, and five miles of art and walking trails. In February 2020, the museum opened the Momentary in Downtown Bentonville (507 SE E Street), conceived as a platform for the art, food, and music of our time. In 2026, Crystal Bridges will complete a 114,000 square foot expansion that will allow the museum to expand access for all. For more information, visit CrystalBridges.org. The museum is located at 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712.
About the Momentary
Opened in February of 2020 in Downtown Bentonville, the Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time; and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is ‘a living room’ where community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. The Momentary was founded by the Walton family, based on the vision of Tom, Olivia, and Steuart Walton. Its commitment to cultivating arts and cultural experiences provides more opportunities for education, engagement, and enjoyment in our region. The Momentary is an extension of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, founded by Alice Walton. The Momentary welcomes all with free general admission. Additional offerings include live music, visual and performing arts, an artist-in-residence program, culinary experiences such as Onyx Coffee Lab and the sky-high Tower Bar, indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, an outdoor festival space, and a retail shop. For more information, visit theMomentary.org. The Momentary is located at 507 SE E Street, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712. The Momentary’s Founding Funders are Walton Family Foundation, Walmart, RØDE Microphones, The Coca-Cola Company, Tyson Family Foundation, and Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation.
Media Contact
media@crystalbridges.org