Memo from Sue Hostetler

December 11, 2018

Posted In: Anderson Ranch General

I am delighted to share with you that Peter Waanders has been named the new President and Chief Executive Officer of Anderson Ranch Arts Center.

Some of you may know Peter from The Aspen Institute, where he was the Director for the Society of Fellows starting in 2011. He oversaw the Society of Fellows’s strategic planning, management and programming curation during a period of rapid growth and the expansion to year-round programing in major cities around the United States. Peter worked with trustees and volunteers to launch the highly successful young donor program and expanded intimate offerings for top-level donor groups. Peter also coordinated major gifts for Institute ranging from endowed scholarships, youth initiatives and major art acquisitions to legacy giving.

He has a unique combination of business and nonprofit experience. He owned both independent bookstores and was a partner in David Floria Gallery before joining the Institute.

We are confident he will build on the phenomenal success of Anderson Ranch and we head into the new year excited about his passion, his vision and his ability to lead what has always been an outstanding organization.

Bringing Peter on board was a thoughtful, thorough process, and a task that could not have been achieved without the tremendous efforts of our Search Committee. Thank you to Marianne Boesky, Ann Cook, Sara Fitzmaurice, Ann Korologos, Judy Mann and Reggie Smith, who conducted an international effort to find the right fit for this President and CEO role.

We are delighted that the Board of Trustees unanimously approved someone with knowledge, enthusiasm and a tremendous reputation right in our own backyard. With his vision and expertise, Peter will take the Ranch to even greater heights.

I’d also like to thank Interim Executive Director Andrea Wallace for her continued leadership as well as the incredible staff at the Ranch for their diligence during this transitional year.

Additionally, there is more fantastic news on the horizon: now that Peter is in place, we are pleased to announce that he will be pivotal in hiring an Curator-in-Residence in early 2019. This individual will work alongside Peter on the artistic side; the two roles together mean the Ranch is growing, evolving and even better able to serve our mission of art, inspiration and community.

There are extraordinary programs and offerings coming your way in the next year and we can’t wait to share in the next chapter.

For those of you who don’t yet know Peter, I know you’ll be as impressed with him as we are. His first day on the job will be January 15. Please be sure to give him a warm welcome. Here’s to terrific new things in 2019!

 

Sincerely,

Sue Hostetler

Chair, Board of Trustees