SALEM, MASS.- Today, the Peabody Essex Museum announces the election of Jennifer M. Borggaard as its next Chair of the Board of Trustees. Borggaard, who currently serves as Secretary and Chair of the Governance Committee for PEM’s Board of Trustees, succeeds Stuart W. Pratt who dedicated nearly 40 years of service to PEM and its predecessor organization, the Essex Institute. This is the first time since PEM’s founding in 1799 that the executive director and board chair positions are held by women. Borggaard’s service as board chair commences on July 1, 2024.

Pratt stated that, “Jenn Borggaard brings considerable nonprofit board experience and a deep commitment to PEM as she becomes board chair at a dynamic and promising juncture in the museum’s history. Working in concert with PEM’s Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Executive Director and CEO, Lynda Roscoe Hartigan, Jenn will help enact the ambitious PEM FORWARD strategic plan that will define the museum’s impact over the next five years.”

“The board extends its heartfelt gratitude to Stuart Pratt for his unwavering dedication and outstanding contributions to the museum over many years. His board leadership, particularly during the challenges of the pandemic, was vital to sustaining the museum’s operations and momentum,” said Austin V. Shapard, Vice Chair of PEM’s Board of Trustees and Chair of the Nominating Committee.

As a co-founder and partner of AlderBrook Advisors, Borggaard is an accomplished financial services executive and board member with global experience guiding boutique asset management companies. She serves on the boards of several for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and provides guidance on diverse business issues, including strategy, crisis management, C-suite succession planning, governance, finance and compliance. Borggaard has been on PEM’s Board of Trustees since 2018 and has been a member of the Finance Committee since 2012, serving as its committee chair from 2018–2022.

“I'm deeply honored to serve PEM as its next board chair and to help guide the next chapter of such an innovative and inspiring museum," said Borggaard. PEM’s Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Executive Director and CEO, Lynda Roscoe Hartigan, added, “PEM is poised to embark on several momentous and critical projects, and I’m thrilled to work closely with Jenn to amplify PEM’s impact and achieve great things.”