Our Team
Frank Verpoorten
Executive Director & Chief Curator
Frank Verpoorten serves as Executive Director and Chief Curator of Naples Art Institute, where his visionary leadership continues to shape a dynamic cultural destination dedicated to artistic excellence, education, and community engagement. With more than two decades of experience across leading cultural institutions and museums in Brussels, New York City, and Southwest Florida, he brings a global perspective, a refined curatorial voice, and a deep commitment to connecting artists and audiences.
A native of Brussels, Verpoorten holds dual master’s degrees in art history and cultural studies from the Vrije Universiteit Brussels and later continued his academic training with advanced studies at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Trained as an art historian, he developed a specialization in 19th-century European academic art alongside a deep knowledge of Pan-American modern and contemporary art. Over the course of his career, he has curated and organized more than 120 exhibitions, distinguished by their scholarly rigor, narrative clarity, and broad public appeal.
In 2000, Verpoorten relocated to New York City, where he held key curatorial and leadership roles at museums including the Dahesh Museum of Art, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art, and the Museum of Modern Art. From 2009 to 2012, he also served as Cultural Attaché for the Delegation of Flanders (Belgium) to the United States, advancing international cultural exchange and strengthening transatlantic artistic dialogue.
Prior to joining Naples Art Institute, Verpoorten served for seven years as Director and Chief Curator of Artis—Naples, The Baker Museum. There, he earned widespread recognition for presenting ambitious, world-class exhibitions, stewarding the institution’s permanent collection, and strategically expanding its acquisitions, while cultivating strong relationships within the Southwest Florida community.
Since assuming leadership at Naples Art Institute, Verpoorten has elevated the organization’s exhibition programming with a thoughtful balance of contemporary innovation and reverence for artistic tradition. His curatorial approach emphasizes accessibility without compromising intellectual depth, inviting audiences into meaningful and thought-provoking encounters with art. At the same time, he has expanded educational initiatives and broadened engagement, reinforcing the Institute’s role as a vital cultural anchor in the region.
Through his leadership, Frank Verpoorten continues to guide Naples Art Institute toward a future defined by artistic excellence, inclusivity, and enduring cultural impact.
Jack Decloedt
Senior Director of Operations
Bringing his experience in managing several businesses to Naples Art Institute, Jack strives for operational excellence and financial stability in support of the Institute’s plan to become Naples’ cultural and educational focal point for the visual arts.
Originally from Belgium, Jack started and ran the European office for an American systems engineering and manufacturing company, then transferred to its headquarters in Colorado, eventually becoming CEO. He later decided to move to Naples, where he co-founded and developed a high-end electronic systems integration firm that raised the bar for customer experience. Upon selling that company, he took on the position of VP and General Manager of a local sign manufacturer, helping to establish it as Southwest Florida’s largest.
Jack’s passion for education, culture and arts is shown in his extensive volunteer work with a Florida university, assisting with the development and installation of numerous art exhibitions as well as the design and implementation of a newly-built museum.
jack.decloedt@naplesart.org | 239.262.6517 Ext. 115
Jenn Doherty
Director of Marketing & Communications
Jenn Doherty is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Naples Art Institute, where she leads strategic marketing, digital media, and communications initiatives that support exhibitions, education programs, and major events. With a background spanning nonprofit marketing, social media, and brand development, she brings a practical, audience-focused approach to storytelling and engagement. Prior to relocating to Florida in 2022, she spent over a decade in Los Angeles working across the arts, entertainment, and nonprofit sectors, including founding a digital marketing agency and directing a film festival. Jenn holds a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Western University.
jenn.doherty@naplesart.org | 239.262.6517 Ext. 105
Sue Brown Gordon
Art Fair Director
outdoorshows@naplesart.org | 239.262.6517 Ext. 103
Lynn Borzumato
Education Manager
Lynn Borzumato plans and schedules the educational programs each season and manages the daily studio operations for classes, in addition to overseeing program administration for both students and instructors. Lynn came to Naples from Los Angeles, where she spent more than 20 years in project and asset management in the entertainment business.
lynn.borzumato@naplesart.org | 239.262.6517 Ext. 110
Rosanna Coscia
Office Manager & Executive Administrative Assistant
Rosanna brings more than 30 years of management experience to her roles at Naples Art Institute. As Office Manager, she manages the everyday operations Naples Art Institute and oversees the reception desk and guest relations as well as billing and human resources administration. As Executive Administrative Assistant, Rosanna supports the Executive Director/Chief Curator. Originally from Italy, Rosanna enjoys working at Naples Art Institute, not only because of her personal love of the visual arts, but also because she gets to meet people from many different backgrounds.
rosanna.coscia@naplesart.org | 239.262.6517 Ext. 109
Caroline Crawford
Education Coordinator
Caroline is the Education Coordinator at Naples Art Institute, where she oversees a range of dynamic educational programs. Her work includes coordinating Artist in Residence initiatives, managing program logistics, and fostering meaningful community engagement through the arts. As a brand ambassador, she is passionate about connecting diverse audiences with creative experiences.
Originally from New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Caroline earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from the University of Florida. She brings a strong background in artist residency programs, including experience with the Robert Rauschenberg Residency, as well as work in museum and gallery settings such as the Harn Museum of Art. Her professional experience also extends into the fabrication of large-scale visual displays for major retail environments, blending creativity with technical execution. She is dedicated to expanding access to the arts and supporting artists and learners alike.
caroline.crawford@naplesart.org | 239.262.6517 Ext. 107
Mary Visgilio
Special Projects Coordinator
Mary’s main focus is on recruitment and placement of volunteers for special projects. With a degree and background in Special Education, Mary transitioned to sales where she spent the majority of her career before moving to Naples from the Northeast in 2012.
Mary loves meeting new people, discovering their talents and how they can play a role in the growth of Naples Art Institute. Until she was introduced to Naples Art Institute, she never knew the extent of her love for the arts and how valuable its contribution to the community truly is. She considers Naples Art Institute her true happy place.
Nabil Benjelloun
Guest Relations Associate
Nabil engages regularly with visitors at Naples Art Institute. Having performed in theatre for most of his life, Nabil has taken part in multiple shows in Naples and Southwest Florida. While much of his training has been in theatre, his primary focus is film and television, and he recently starred in commercials for businesses in Fort Myers.
A lifetime love of the humanities drew Nabil to Naples Art Institute, as well as a desire to become more involved with local artists and organizations.
Nancy Reilly
Guest Relations Associate
Nancy joined Naples Art Institute after a 30+ year career in design and sales. She has received a degree in Industrial Design complemented by an MBA. Her customer-first focus, coupled with her business development expertise, led to leadership roles in sales and marketing, building brands and managing multi-million-dollar revenue streams.
Nancy also recognizes the importance of giving back to the Naples community and volunteers with numerous organizations of interest. As a life-long advocate of the arts, she enthusiastically champions Naples Art Institute’s leadership position as a hub of visual contemporary art.
guestrelations@naplesart.org | 239.262.6517
Daniel Broderick
Maintenance
Board of Directors
Alexandra Gabel
Ellin Goetz
Lorraine Kostyra
John Krol, Naples City Council Liaison
Paul Perry
Beth Petrunoff
Ginny Veras
Daria Wallach
Dolly Bodick Korest, Honorary Board Member
Rose-Marie van Otterloo, Honorary Board Member