BOSTON, MASS.- The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum announced that Gwill York has been elected as the President of the Museum’s Board of Trustees, effective July 1, 2020.

A prominent entrepreneurial and civic volunteer within Boston for more than thirty years, York brings deep experience across finance, arts & culture, and private and public leadership to her role as Board President. She previously served as the Treasurer of the Gardner Museum’s Board.

“In her nine years as Board Treasurer, Gwill has been essential to ensuring the long-term viability and bolstering the aspirations of the Museum,” said Peggy Fogelman, Norma Jean Calderwood Director of the Gardner Museum. “As Board President, Gwill brings a deep understanding of the Gardner Museum’s unique position and value within Boston’s arts & culture ecosystem, along with expertise across the private and public sectors.”

“We are beyond grateful to Steve Kidder for his steadfast stewardship of the Museum, during his past eight years as President, and his two-decade involvement in Board governance. The exceptional work he’s done leaves us in a fantastic position for our next chapter and we look forward to his continuing involvement in the life of the Gardner,” said Fogelman.

In her new role as Board President, York will oversee stewardship of the Museum including the continued realization of the goals and initiatives put forth in the Gardner Museum’s October 2019 Strategic Plan, propelling the vision of the Museum’s founder, Isabella Stewart Gardner, into the 21st century. In 1903, Mrs. Gardner established her Museum “for the education and enjoyment of the public forever.” York’s leadership and commitment to equity will find new ways for the Gardner to further its mission as a place where visitors of all backgrounds feel a sense of welcome and belonging.




A core focus of the Strategic Plan and York’s leadership will be on the Museum’s Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion (DEAI) initiatives, which aim to assess and ensure the Museum’s internal and external functions reflect the Gardner Museum’s artistic mission and the many voices and perspectives comprising the vibrant Boston communities it serves.

“Our objects bear witness to enduring universal stories that directly speak to our world’s current, complex issues—grief and joy, power and gratitude, glory and erasure,” said York. “The Museum invites our visitors to explore and probe human events and ideas through the creative and scholarly examination of our permanent collection and the outstanding work of our innovative, contemporary visual and performing artists. It is a privilege to step into this role at this time and to do the work required in concert with our talented Board and Staff.”

“Gwill is the perfect person to lead the Gardner at this critical time,” said Steven W. Kidder, Former Board President of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. “She brings a deep understanding of the essential role that cultural institutions play in the life of our City and Region as well as a strong commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, access and inclusion that must be our focus moving forward.”

York co-founded Lighthouse Capital Partners in 1994 as a pioneer in the structured venture capital industry. Over the decades, her firm has invested in over 500 private life science, technology, and clean tech companies in the early stages of growth.

In addition to her position with the Gardner Museum, York currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Sofina Group, Mass General Brigham and One Mind. York remains active as a member of the Museum of Science Board of Trustees and the Harvard Medical School Board of Fellows having recently chaired each institution. She completed her term as an elected member of the Board of Overseers of Harvard University in 2019.

A Cleveland native, York attended Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges and the Harvard Business School. She now resides in Cambridge with her husband, Paul Maeder.