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Cory Garfin leads complex research and consulting engagements with cultural organizations, helping them explore new directions and achieve clarity about their goals, strategies, audiences, and communities. Since joining the Slover Linett team in 2016, Cory has played key roles in the firm’s work in higher education and the arts (CalArts, Cornell University, Colby College Museum of Art, the Five College Consortium), digital experiences (Carnegie Hall, Orchestra of St. Luke’s), public media (StoryCorps, WQXR), and community engagement (MCA Chicago, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, The High Line, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Museum of Natural History). He enjoys drawing connections across disparate fields to illuminate opportunities for deeper social, economic, and artistic impact.

Before joining Slover Linett, Cory was part of the team that designed YOUmedia, award-winning youth development and “connected learning” program, for the MacArthur Foundation and Chicago Public Libraries. He has presented on YOUmedia at the IMLS annual conference and has been proud to see it become a nationwide network. Cory has also held positions in documentary film production and video game development. He began his undergraduate studies at Stanford University in art history, graduated from Columbia University with a B.A. in film studies, and earned two graduate degrees: an MFA in writing and critical studies from CalArts and a master’s in entertainment technology from Carnegie Mellon University. One of his published short stories was nominated for the Pushcart Prize. Cory was also an innovator in residence at the University of Southern California’s School of Social Work and has served as a mentor for Impact Engine, a Chicago-based venture fund investing for positive social and environmental impact.