Obama Museum Names First Director; American Association of University Women Gets New Leader

The Obama Foundation

Louise Bernard, former head of exhibitions at the New York Public Library, was named director of the museum at the Obama Presidential Center, which the foundation is building on Chicago’s South Side.

Ms. Bernard will lead design and development of the museum, part of a complex that will also house Mr. Obama’s presidential library. Prior to her post with New York City’s library system, she was a senior content developer and interpretive planner at museum-design firm Ralph Appelbaum Associates, where she worked on a team that designed exhibits for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Kimberly Churches, managing director at the Brookings Institution, has been named chief executive of the American Association of University Women, which advocates for women’s rights and advancement and studies gender-equality issues in education and the workplace. She will take over from interim CEO Mark Hopkins.

Jaime Dempsey, deputy director of the arts agency, was promoted to executive director. She will succeed Robert Booker, who will retire on August 7.

Denise Wittstock, volunteer-service director for the United Way of Manitowoc County, was appointed executive director. She will succeed Tim Kaker, who is retiring after over 40 years at the helm.

Trisha Cardoso, executive vice president for corporate communications at Showtime, will join the foundation as its president and chief giving officer at the end of June.

Isaac Thompson, director of artistic administration for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati May Festival, will become vice president for artistic planning at the New York Philharmonic.

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