The Preservation Society of Newport County announced the appointment of Jennifer Matthews as Senior Sponsorship Strategist. Matthews is uniquely positioned to lead sponsorship strategy and sales across the organization’s marquee properties and events, building on impactful opportunities for premier luxury brands locally and globally that drive revenue and create brand value for partners.

With a passion for design, architecture and history, Matthews brings 30 years of experience to the role. As Group Publisher (publisher of national and regional home design magazines), she led sales and marketing teams in selling to, advising and partnering with some of the world’s most iconic luxury brands, while building lifestyle media titles such as Luxe Interiors + Design, Cottages & Gardens (CT, NY, Hamptons, Palm Beach), Western Interiors & Design, House & Garden and Elle Décor. She also served in corporate sales, managing fashion, beauty and luxury goods across 18 magazine titles at Hachette Filipacchi Magazines. Matthews was Vice President Sales at Sotheby’s New York, working on the auction house’s digital marketplace, where she created and sold partnerships with luxury brands, dealers, interior designers and their clients. 

“We are so pleased to welcome Jennifer to our team at such a pivotal moment in the Preservation Society’s history,” said Trudy Coxe, CEO and Executive Director. “We are confident she will strengthen and expand our network of strategic partnerships.”

Matthews has a personal love for and connection with Newport, as her husband’s father lived here and the family has been coming to Newport for generations, with a noted history of America’s Cup sailing contributions and accomplishments of his grandfather, father and uncles. 

Matthews is a member of The Decorators Club in New York, National Association of Realtors and the Darien Board of Realtors, serving on the Board of Directors. She has supported organizations like Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, The Glass House, Farm Creek Preserve and Land Trust, Rowayton Historical Society and Open Door Shelter. Matthews holds a real estate license affiliated with William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty.

The Preservation Society of Newport County, Rhode Island, is a nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the area's historic architecture, landscapes, decorative arts and social history. Its 11 historic properties – seven of them National Historic Landmarks – span more than 250 years of American architectural and social development.

For more information, please visit www.NewportMansions.org.