Aja May Pirtle is an experienced marketing, branding and fundraising consultant with nearly two decades of experience in government, tourism, education and nonprofit marketing. She currently serves as Managing Director of Marketing & Communications for the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, a first-of-its-kind leader in philanthropic studies and training.

Before her time at the school, Pirtle served as president of AMP Consulting, helping nonprofits, community organizations, education providers, arts and cultural institutions and other businesses make the most of their marketing, fundraising, communication and organizational strategy.

Previous to AMP, Pirtle served as Sr. VP of External Relations at the Indiana State Museum & Historic Sites where she led fundraising efforts for the 12-location system. She previously held a role at the museum and sites as VP of Marketing where she transformed the outdated marketing strategy to one based on digital and social marketing.

Prior to joining the state museum, Pirtle led strategic marketing efforts at Purdue University, helping to establish an in-house full-service marketing agency and cohesive brand strategy to serve the campus.  

She has also served in marketing and communications functions for the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and the office of Governor Frank and First Lady Judy O’Bannon. Pirtle and her husband, Doug, make their home in Plainfield, Indiana with their two kids, Sophie and Ethan, and pack of three dogs.