Bringing with her an impressive record of achievements as a fundraiser, special events planner and motivational speaker, Geneva Humdy-Woodley has now taken over as Director of Development at the Bermuda National Gallery.

Noting that her new appointment includes fundraising, soliciting corporate donations and increasing membership, Mrs. Humdy-Woodley points out that development also embraces relationships between the corporate and individual segments of society, with the aim of involving people on a committed, long-term basis.

Having arrived on the Island last year, she first worked as a volunteer at the Gallery, two of her first jobs being their Annual Appeal and this year's membership drive.

"I see my job as a very exciting adventure,'' she says, "as I expose the people of Bermuda to the wonderful art and culture of the world, to encourage people to come in to the Gallery, and having come in, to come back again and again. My immediate task is organising the Impressionist Exhibition which opens in September. I have some very exciting things planned but, of course,'' she adds with a laugh, "I can't reveal the details just yet. But I think my main task is to get more Bermudians walking through our doors.'' In March, Mrs. Humdy-Woodley organised the Gallery's fifth birthday party, with a theme of 1950s music and food. Her most recent task was the opening celebration for the Martin Luther King photographic exhibition, which featured the Berkeley Institute Choir, recitations of portions of the late Dr. King's "I Have a Dream'' speech and Shine Hayward's rendition of "Amazing Grace'' on the saxophone.

"I feel we are very fortunate to have her,'' enthuses Chairman Louise Jackson. "I think she's just about the best organiser of fundraising we could ever wish for. She is a superb worker with a very fertile mind when it comes to throwing parties!'' Geneva Humdy-Woodley may be said to have achieved instant fame when she organised the American Consul's Fourth of July celebrations for 2,000 people at Chelston. Mrs. Jackson, who attended the event, describes it as having been "just amazing -- I've never seen anything like it in my life! Since she joined us at the Gallery, she has already done a wonderful job, giving us new and bright ideas. She is like a breath of fresh air.'' Mrs. Humdy-Woodley says she became involved in the field of development by accident when she was asked to chair the parents' fundraising committee at her son's day care centre in Brooklyn. Although a poor area, she managed to raise $25,000 and as a result of her success, decided to make it her career.

Since then she has worked for many major organisations, including the New York City Police Athletic League, the Walk American campaign, and the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. Her last job in the US was as assistant manager of Boston's AIDS Action Committee, where she co-managed the third largest AIDS Pledge Walk in the US, with 35,000 people taking part. She co-managed the second largest AIDS Dance-a-thon, with 5,000 dancers and raised a total of $7,500,000 in funds for New England's largest AIDS service organisation.

Mrs. Humdy-Woodley, who is married to Julian Woodley and is the mother of son Kemal and has a five-month old daughter, Imani, was educated at Talladega College in Alabama. Seemingly full of boundless energy, she is confident that she will have time to also help with Bermuda's charities. She has already helped Berkely Institute, Agape House, The Physical Abuse Centre, the End to End Walk, the Allen Vincent Smith Foundation, the Bermuda Special Olympics, the recent Samuel Jackson Golf Tournament and has given workshops for the Centre on Philanthropy.

"I firmly believe that you have to balance the work you are paid for with the time you devote to people in need,'' she says.

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