Newfields names new president and CEO after seven-month search

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Newfields named its new president and CEO Aug. 26, 2024. (Photo provided/Newfields)
Newfields named its new president and CEO Aug. 26, 2024. (Photo provided/Newfields)

Newfields has officially named a new president and chief executive officer. 

The art and nature institution’s board of trustees announced Aug. 26 that Le Monte G. Booker would assume the role beginning in October 2024. This announcement comes almost a year after former President and CEO Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette announced her resignation.

“I am thrilled to start my next chapter as the CEO of Newfields, which is an outstanding example of a cornerstone cultural institution in the unique position of having both a world-class art collection as well as important gardens and historic homes,” Booker said in a statement. “I look forward to working with the Board, staff and Central Indiana community to continue to meet the mission of enriching lives through exceptional experiences with art and nature at this special institution.”

Le Monte Booker was appointed as new president and CEO of Newfields. (Photo provided/Newfields)

Newfields, which houses the Indianapolis Museum of Art and The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park, announced a CEO search back in February. The board of trustees appointed a search committee to work alongside Koya Partners, a firm specializing in senior executive leadership placements for nonprofits. 

More than 200 applications for the president and CEO position were reviewed with both internal and external input prior to conducting interviews with finalists, and Booker emerged as “a clear frontrunner” and “an inspirational and collaborative leader,” according to Anne Sellers, chair of the search committee.

“His visionary approach, coupled with his operational skills and his trusted presence as an ambassador, makes him an exceptional fit for Newfields and the Indianapolis community,” Sellers said in a statement. “His peers and colleagues consistently describe him as thoughtful, pragmatic and unwavering in his integrity. We are thrilled to welcome him to our team.”

Booker comes to Newfields having previously served several senior leadership positions at the Chicago Field Museum as well as a member of the board of directors for the CPA Endowment Fund, Asian Human Services and president of the CFO Roundtable of Chicago.

Darriane Christian, Newfields’ board of trustees chair, said Booker’s museum experience affords him a “comprehensive understanding of how institutions like Newfields need to operate to thrive.” 

“Mr. Booker possesses the right mindset, temperament, aptitude and leadership skills needed for this role. Mr. Booker stood out not only for meeting all of our initial search criteria, but also for bringing fresh perspectives we hadn’t previously considered to the process,” Christian said in a statement.

As Newfields transitions to new leadership in the coming months, Booker will take over for interim President and CEO Michael Kubacki — who was instated following Burnette’s departure in November 2023.

News of the art and nature institution’s sudden leadership change sent a visceral shockwave through the community, as Burnette was vocal about her goals for the museum, spearheading efforts to bring art to the community and support artistic endeavors throughout the city. 

Burnette, who was awarded the 2024 Champion of Diversity Breaking Barriers Award through the Indiana Minority Business Magazine and Minority Business Review, only held the position for 15 months. The circumstances surrounding her resignation are still unclear — despite public outcry from city officials and local organizations, board of trustee resignations and protests demanding answers.

READ MORE: Community leaders respond to Newfields: What comes next?

Newfields did, however, release a statement explaining how the institution was “unable to provide additional details around the current leadership transition.” Instead, Newfields assured the community its strategies, missions and values would remain unchanged as they searched for a new, full-time president and CEO.

For more information, visit discovernewfields.org.

Contact arts & Culture reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.