NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Four Freedoms Park Conservancy (“the Conservancy”) today announced that Barbara Shattuck Kohn has been named Chairman of the Board. She succeeds the Conservancy’s founder, Ambassador William vanden Heuvel, who transitions into a new role as Chairman Emeritus. He will continue to serve on the Conservancy’s Board of Directors and advise Ms. Shattuck Kohn and the other Conservancy Directors.
As part of the changes at the leadership level of the Conservancy, Carl Weisbrod has been elevated to Vice Chair, succeeding Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr., who becomes Honorary Chair. Sally Minard has also assumed the responsibilities of Chief Executive Officer in addition to her current role as the Conservancy’s President.
Finally, the Conservancy said it has added five new Directors to its Board:
- John Dyson, Chairman of Millbrook Capital Management, Inc., an investment firm;
- Jack Rosenthal, President-Emeritus of The New York Times Company Foundation;
- Katrina vanden Heuvel, Editor and Publisher of The Nation;
- Warren Hoge, Senior Adviser for External Relations to the International Peace Institute; and
- William Whitaker, ex officio, Curator of The Architectural Archives of the University of Pennsylvania.
They join current Board members: Ambassador vanden Heuvel; Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr.; Barbara Shattuck Kohn, Carl Weisbrod; Sally Minard; William R. Griffith, Secretary & Treasurer; James Polshek; and Gina Pollara.
Ms. Shattuck Kohn is a Principal at Hammond Hanlon Camp LLC, an independent healthcare-focused strategic advisory and investment banking firm focusing on the not-for-profit sector. Over a 30-year career, she has been a distinguished financial advisor and healthcare investment banking specialist and has counseled many of the most prestigious names in health care. In addition, she has served as a Director for a number of not-for-profit organizations, including the Tufts Health Plan Foundation, the Paul Taylor Dance Foundation, University of Arizona Science & Technology Park, the New York Citizens Budget Commission, and Connecticut College, where she is also Chair Emeritus.
“It is a privilege and an honor to be involved with this extraordinary space,” said Ms. Shattuck Kohn. “Bill vanden Heuvel has set a high benchmark during his tenure as Chairman, but I am confident that with the help of my fellow Board members, and our thousands of supporters, we will continue to teach and promote President Roosevelt’s vision of freedom and welcome thousands of visitors to one of New York’s most beautiful cultural and educational destinations.”
Ambassador vanden Heuvel said: “Barbara brings unparalleled breadth and depth of experience and judgment to the Conservancy. I am confident that her accomplishments in the worlds of business, academia and philanthropy will ensure not only a seamless transition into her new role, but also the Conservancy’s continued success in preserving the legacy of President Roosevelt for generations to come.”
“Barbara, Carl and our new Directors are immensely qualified individuals and true friends to the Park,” said Ms. Minard. “Each of them brings his or her own set of strengths to their respective roles, and they will be a great benefit us and the Conservancy’s mission. We look forward to working with them to promote this iconic Park and President Roosevelt’s essential Four Freedoms.”
The changes mark yet another milestone for the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park as it enters its second year: the Park celebrated the one-year anniversary of its dedication on October 17th, shortly after welcoming its 156,000th visitor.
About the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park
The Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms State Park is the only memorial dedicated to the former President in his home state of New York. Located on a triangular four-acre plot on the southern tip of Roosevelt Island in the East River in the heart of New York City, the Park designed by Louis I Kahn, includes walkways lined with trees, waterfront promenades, a portrait bust of President Roosevelt created by artist Jo Davidson, and, carved in the ‘Room,’ the Four Freedoms described in Roosevelt’s historic January 6, 1941 State of the Union address: freedom of speech and expression; freedom of worship; freedom from want; and freedom from fear. First announced in 1973 by Governor Nelson Rockefeller, Mayor John Lindsay, and other visionary urban planners, the monument’s design was the last work of the late Louis I. Kahn, an iconic architect of the 20th century. Dedicated on October 17, 2012, the Park is operated in partnership with New York State by the Four Freedoms Park Conservancy. For more information on FDR Four Freedoms State Park, please visit: www.fdrfourfreedomspark.org.
