PHILADELPHIA, PA.- Formerly the Deputy Director of Finance and Administration for the City of Philadelphia’s Rebuilding Community Infrastructure (Rebuild) program, Foster Hardiman has been appointed as the Penn Museum’s Senior Director of Finance and Facilities. He began his new role serving as a critical part of the Museum’s Executive Leadership team on October 6, 2025.

In this new position, Hardiman will oversee the Museum’s Business Office, Building Operations, and Security departments.

"Penn Museum represents an important part of the University and the City of Philadelphia. Expanding access to learning about many different societies, cultures, and peoples that make up our shared history is a critical mission I am thrilled to support," says Hardiman. "I look forward to working alongside a passionate and highly-skilled team at this renowned cultural institution."

For the last 13 years, Hardiman has served the City of Philadelphia in leadership roles across finance, capital programming, and administration.

He managed a $600 million budget that included grant, capital, bond, and operating funds; projected and planned spending for more than $300 million in bond funds, $160 million in grant funds, $100 million in capital funds, and staff administration operating funds; developed the annual operating and capital budgets; oversaw accounting for nearly 800 unique projects at 72 sites; analyzed long-term financial data to identify issues and recommend solutions; and managed 35 staff members.

Influenced by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s sermon, "The Drum Major Instinct," Hardiman shared that his working philosophy is driven by the idea that individuals can accomplish great things when working with others who are dedicated to improving their communities through service.

"Foster brings a wealth of experience handling complex capital projects, budgets, and administrative challenges," said Dr. Christopher Woods, Williams Director of the Penn Museum and Avalon Professor in the Humanities at Penn’s School of Arts and Sciences. "We are lucky to have him as a part of the Museum’s Executive Team."

After completing a Bachelor of Arts degree at James Madison University—double majoring in Political Science and Media Arts and Design in 2009—he went on to obtain a Master of Public Administration degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2011.

Hardiman lives in Philadelphia with his wife and two daughters.