Worcester Art Museum Elects Kent dur Russell as New Board President and Welcomes Three New Trustees at Annual Meeting   

Worcester, MA—November 14, 2024—The Worcester Art Museum (WAM) announces the election of Kent dur Russell as its new Board President, joined by three new Trustees: Michael Hale, David A. Jordan, and A. Mitra Morgan. The elections took place at the museum’s 128th annual Corporators’ meeting, which was held virtually on the evening of Wednesday, November 13 and attended by 125 members of the WAM community, including museum staff, Corporators, and Trustees. The event was anchored by a conversation between Jeffrey Forgeng, the Higgins Curator of Arms and Armor and Medieval Art, and Jean and Myles McDonough Director Matthias Waschek, who discussed the concepts and impact behind the design of the museum’s forthcoming Arms and Armor Galleries, which will make the Worcester Art Museum among only five museums in the nation with a dedicated arms and armor collection on display. 

Bringing nearly five decades of international museum experience to the position, Russell assumes the role from outgoing President Dorothy Chen-Courtin, who has completed her second two-year term and will continue her relationship with the museum as Trustee Emerita. Russell, who recently retired from his role as the founding Director of the Icon Museum and Study Center in Clinton, MA, served in curatorial and leadership roles in Ireland and the US, including the National Gallery of Ireland and the Municipal Gallery of Modern Art (Dublin, Ireland); the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Contemporary Art Gallery (Belfast, Northern Ireland); the New Museum and the Studio Museum in Harlem (New York, NY); the Museum of Art, Science and Industry (Bridgeport, CT); and the Parrish Art Museum (Southampton, NY). A committed supporter of the Worcester Art Museum for nearly 30 years, Russell has been a Corporator since 2010, joined the Board in 2022, and became First Vice President of the Board last year. Through his work, Russell has continued to uplift the museum’s fundraising efforts, including WAM’s current fundraising campaign, A Bold Step Forward.  

“It is a particularly exciting and transformational time for the Worcester Art Museum, with the most ambitious campaign ever undertaken by the organization,” said Russell. “Campus upgrades, dynamic exhibitions, and re-envisioned galleries are just the highlights of how WAM is actively planning to connect people, communities, and cultures on a deeper level. The opportunity to be a part of this change, not to mention the personal joy of being involved in the opening of the Arms and Armor Galleries, is an honor and a challenge I am looking forward to.” 

“We are so fortunate to continue to benefit from the unique perspective that Kent has added to our Board, said Waschek. “His unwavering participation in our current comprehensive fundraising campaign and his extensive experience on not-for-profit boards makes him a perfect President of the Board and partner to our Team, as the Museum undertakes major transformations”.  

Additional biographical information about the new trustees is as follows: 

Michael Hale is a lifelong resident of the greater Worcester area. He spent his career working for the Town of Shrewsbury in senior executive positions, retiring in 2020 as the General Manager (CEO) of SELCO, the town’s municipally operated electric and broadband utility. He currently spends two to three days a week working for the Shrewsbury Federal Credit Union as their Community Relations Officer. He and his wife Vanessa spend their free time traveling with a focus on visiting the museums of Western Europe and the US. For the last 20+ years, they have accumulated a collection of artworks from mostly Boston School, Cape Cod, and Nantucket artists. Michael holds a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in non-profit management. Michael has served as a WAM Corporator since 2022 and on the Finance Committee since 2023.

Dr. David A. Jordan is the President Emeritus of Seven Hills Foundation & Affiliates with headquarters in Worcester, MA after a 30-year career with the organization. Seven Hills Foundation operates over 250 clinics, schools, and other facilities in New England and 8 developing nations. Dr. Jordan has 50 years of experience in health care and human services management, higher education, and sustainable international development. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Rhode Island, an MA in Special Education from Salve Regina University, an MPA from Clark University, and a DHA from the Medical University of South Carolina. Since 2003, he has served as an Adjunct Professor at Clark University, and after retiring from Seven Hills Foundation, he was asked to serve as a Dean of the School of Business at Clark University. He has received several honors, including one of the Top 15 Entrepreneurs in Central Mass, from WBJ in 2007, and Top 50 Leaders in Central Massachusetts five times. David and his wife Kathleen have been longtime supporters of Worcester Art Museum, and David has previously served as a Corporator at WAM.   

A. Mitra Morgan is a versatile executive with deep expertise in early-stage startups and entrepreneurial leadership. A skilled general manager, she possesses a strong background in sales, marketing, strategy, and operations. Known for building aspirational brands, Mitra has successfully led cross-functional teams in domestic and multinational environments. Her proven track record in dynamic, fast-paced settings makes her an asset in driving growth and innovation in the organizations of which she is a part. Mitra holds an AB from Bowdoin College, a MALD from The Fletcher School at Tufts, and an MBA from the Tuck School at Dartmouth. She previously served as President of the Brooks Pond Conservation Association and on the Audit Committee at the American Antiquarian Society. Mitra grew up in Worcester and her family has been involved at WAM for generations. She currently resides in Brookline, MA.   

In addition, the Museum elected nine new Corporators: Elizabeth Bacon, Mary Beth Burke, Richard P. Burke, David A. Jordan, Peter Krashes, Travis Landry, A. Mitra Morgan, Julian Davis Wade, and Donald Zereski.  

For more information, please contact: