AJ Kiehner leads the development team at National Sawdust, overseeing board relations, individual and institutional giving, fundraising events including the annual gala, and community engagement and partnerships. He brings more than a decade of experience in fundraising and leadership roles with New York non-profits. Previously, he served as Associate Director of Development at the Metropolitan Opera Guild, and earlier in his career worked in tour and artist management at Opus 3 Artists and managed events and special projects at both the Leonard Bernstein Office and The Garden Club of America. He holds bachelor’s degrees in Journalism and Vocal Music Performance from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.

Born in the suburbs of Philadelphia, AJ lives in Hudson Yards with his husband, Jacob, and their rescue dog, Archie. Outside of work, he is active as a Young Leader at The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center and as a Young Patron at New York City Ballet. He enjoys theater, traveling, reading, and an extra dirty gin martini.