7 new trustees’ diverse areas of expertise will solidify key partnerships and expand art audiences.
On May 13, Delaware Art Museum members voted in a slate of new trustees that reflects the exciting future envisioned for the 109-year-old art institution. Aligning with the values that will carry the Museum into its next chapter, the new board members bring expertise in community development, creative entrepreneurship, and art collections. Under the leadership of the young, dynamic Executive Director Molly Giordano, the Museum is poised to solidify its standing as an anchor institution in its community.
“This extraordinary new slate of DelArt trustees reflects the institutional values we share and the strategic vision for the Museum’s future,” said Delaware Art Museum Board President David Pollack. The seven trustees joining the Delaware Art Museum board this spring are:
- Fatimah Conley, Interim Chief Diversity Officer, University of Delaware
- Jeanana Lloyd, Director of Talent Optimization and Planning, ChristianaCare
- Yvette Santiago, State Director of Delaware Valley Government Relations, Nemours Children’s Health System
- Christopher Savage, Podiatrist and Founder of Brandywine Podiatry
- Eric Smith, Director of Operations at Carvertise
- Susan Thomas, Founder, IAM for Social Good
- Ronald Varney, Principal at Ronald Varney Fine Art Advisors.
The seven new members join twenty returning trustees with valuable experiences, knowledge, and a commitment to the Museum’s mission of connecting people with art.
The new trustees’ diverse backgrounds will allow the Museum to cultivate new partnerships, working collaboratively with keystone organizations throughout greater Wilmington. Fatimah Conley, Jeanana Lloyd, and Yvette Santiago will help the Museum build on existing collaborative relationships with the University of Delaware, Christiana Care, and Nemours, and offer experience engaging new audiences. The community development experience of Susan Thomas, founder of IAM for Social Good, will further deepen the Museum’s ability to connect local communities with art.
Entrepreneurs Eric Smith and Christopher Savage bring experience that aligns with the Museum’s investment in growing Wilmington’s creative economy. Ronald Varney will help the Museum share its art beyond the region, building national relationships between art audiences and DelArt’s unique collections.
Molly Giordano, a longtime DelArt leader who was named Executive Director by the Board of Directors this past February, believes the expanded and diversified board will be key to the Museum’s plans for its next chapter. Giordano states, “I envision a Museum that works collaboratively with organizations throughout our region to develop Wilmington’s creative economy and ensure access to the arts for all.” Giordano is now working with staff, trustees, and volunteers on a strategic planning effort that will outline the steps necessary to realize that vision. DelArt’s strategic plan will be shared publicly this fall.