Edward J. Lewis, III

Edward J. Lewis, III, is the senior vice president of Institutional Advancement, where he leads the institution’s philanthropic initiatives, strategic partnerships, and alumni engagement efforts. In this role, he oversees a dynamic team dedicated to advancing Berklee’s mission of nurturing creative artistry, empowering diverse voices, and fostering global connections through music, dance, and theater.

Before joining Berklee, Lewis served as the president and CEO of the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, a position he held since May 2021. During his tenure, he guided the organization through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing a transformative five-year strategic plan that realigned marketing, development, and programming to boost ticket sales, achieving near-record sales in 2024. He also expanded and diversified Caramoor’s artistic programming and established its first major gifts program, significantly increasing philanthropic support. 

Lewis’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has been a hallmark of his leadership. At Caramoor, he led the creation of the institution’s first DEI statement, reformed recruitment practices to diversify staff and board membership, and integrated DEI principles into event security, hospitality, and communications. He also launched a community engagement program celebrating the diverse communities of Westchester County, creating a more accessible and inclusive cultural institution.

Prior to Caramoor, Lewis was vice chancellor for advancement at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), where he led the award-winning Powering Creativity: The Campaign for UNCSA. This historic fundraising initiative surpassed its $65 million goal, raising over $75 million to support new programs, student scholarships, faculty endowments, facility improvements, and community engagement. Under his leadership, the UNCSA Foundation endowment grew from $35 million in 2015 to over $70 million in 2021.

Earlier in his career, Lewis served as senior director of development at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, College Park. In this role, he provided strategic direction for a comprehensive fundraising program, raising over $42 million as part of the University of Maryland’s first $1 billion comprehensive campaign, Great Expectations: The Campaign for Maryland.

Lewis holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Northwestern University and a Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan. He completed post-graduate studies at the University of Maryland School of Music, where he studied chamber music with the Guarneri String Quartet. An accomplished violist, he has performed with the Dallas Opera Orchestra, Dallas Chamber Orchestra, Santa Fe Pro Musica, Toledo Symphony, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, and Aspen Chamber Symphony, among other ensembles.