Important news from Lorna Goodman

Dear friends,

You are such important champions of the work of World Monuments Fund that I wanted you to hear exciting news about the future of the organization.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the appointment of Bénédicte de Montlaur as the next Chief Executive Officer of World Monuments Fund.

Ms. de Montlaur has spent the last 17 years working on three continents as a French diplomat and a Middle East Advisor to the President of the U.N. General Assembly. In her current role as Head of the Cultural Division of the French Embassy and Cultural Counselor to the Ambassador, de Montlaur leads France’s largest international cultural advocacy network, directing a team of 90 people in 10 offices across the United States to carry out French-American cultural, educational, and artistic relations. During her tenure as Cultural Counselor, Ms. de Montlaur created many innovative programs and major cultural events, spearheading fundraising support for a diverse range of initiatives, including the current rebuilding efforts at Notre Dame. In New York, Ms. de Montlaur worked with World Monuments Fund on the restoration of Stanford White’s Venetian Room, located within the former Payne Whitney Mansion. Her previous positions include Deputy Assistant Secretary for North Africa (Paris), Africa/Middle East Negotiator (New York), and First Secretary, French Embassy (Damascus, Syria).

Ms. de Montlaur’s steadfast commitment to the world’s cultural treasures paired with keen diplomatic skills and management experience makes her the perfect individual to lead World Monuments Fund into the future. We are inspired by her innovative vision for the organization and are excited to welcome her in her new role on October 1.

On this occasion, we extend our most sincere thanks to Interim CEO Lisa Ackerman, for her extraordinary leadership and dedication during the past year. Ms. Ackerman has seamlessly stewarded the organization during this transition.

We are so grateful for your committed support of World Monuments Fund and the people and places we impact. Thank you for all you do to make our critical work possible at treasured places around the world. We look forward to entering this new chapter with you by our side.

With appreciation,

Lorna B. Goodman, Chair of the Board of Trustees, World Monuments Fund