A new executive director takes the helm at the Permanent Endowment Fund for Martha’s Vineyard this week.

Julie Anne McNary, an experienced fundraising and development professional, was named to the top post by the board of directors for the fund following a yearlong search and visioning process.

Ms. McNary has deep Vineyard ties and was trained at the Harvard Business School and Harvard Graduate School of Education, Wellesley College, and Emerson College in Silicon Valley. She also teaches business and expository writing courses online for Harvard.

A press release said Ms. McNary describes herself as a “fundraising zealot.”

Board chairman Melissa McKee Hackney said she believes Ms. McNary will be a good fit at a time when the Permanent Endowment Fund is looking to grow.