Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont College of Fine Arts Board of Trustees has announced the appointment of Leslie Ward as Interim President, effective July 1. Ward will lead the Montpelier-based college and work closely with the Trustees as they undertake a national search for a new president, a process that will begin this summer. Thomas Greene, who founded the Vermont College of Fine Arts in 2006, announced May 31 that after 13 years he will be leaving the presidency on July 1, 2020, following a year sabbatical and will join the faculty of the college’s MFA in Writing & Publishing program. Ward will take over in the interim.
She said, “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to continue my service to VCFA in the capacity as Interim President. The faculty and staff who have worked so hard with President Greene over the past 11 years have created a truly remarkable institution supporting artists and the impact they have in the world.”
Leslie Ward, Interim President, VCFA
With a VCFA MFA in Writing and a Harvard MBA, Ward brings to the president’s office a wealth of experience in management consulting and strategic planning, as well as a deep understanding of the College’s strengths and opportunities. During her career, Ward has worked with Fortune 500 companies at the Boston Consulting Group, in business development and strategic planning for investment properties owned by General Atlantic Partners, and in the nonprofit world helping established and nascent organizations launch new initiatives and develop sustainable operating plans. Her clients included the National Office of Outward Bound, the Clark Foundation, the United States government, City Year, and Public Allies. She has served on the boards of several Vermont organizations, including Woodbury College and Everybody Wins!, and has been an advisor to several private for-profit companies.
Ward continues, “My goal during this interim year is to work with the faculty and staff to position VCFA for continued success through this leadership transition process and beyond, looking at opportunities across all the disciplines we touch to further our reach and deepen our impact.”
In a letter to the College community, Board Chair Bill Schubart noted, “Leslie will provide VCFA with the energetic and capable interim leadership the College needs to position itself for continued success through this leadership transition process and beyond. Together with my fellow members of the Board, I am confident these changes will continue to build upon the distinctive educational programs, thriving community, and forward-thinking approach that make VCFA one of the nation’s best graduate art schools.”
Green created a non-profit, which bought the historic Vermont College campus, on the hill above the city, and three MFA programs from Union Institute and University.
During his tenure, the college:
- Raised $13.5M in capital to purchase the historic campus and the MFA in Writing, MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults and MFA in Visual Art from Union Institute and University;
- Became the fastest college in the history of the region to gain accreditation;
- Raised more than $9M in philanthropic support;
- Added six new degree programs in graphic design, music composition, film, art and design education, residential writing and publishing and international writing;
- Invested millions of dollars into the historic campus, including building the first new building on the campus since 1965;
- Grew to a $10M annual operating budget that employs 250 people;
- Created the Vermont Book Award to honor writers in the state;
- Was named one of the best places to work by Vermont Business Magazine six years in a row, the only college in the state to receive that honor.
Leslie Ward, Interim President, Profile
Interim President Leslie Ward comes to VCFA as both a graduate of the MFA in Writing program and a Trustee, and she brings to the job her past experience in management consulting and strategic planning.
She began her career working with Fortune 500 companies at the Boston Consulting Group and, after obtaining her MBA from Harvard, worked in business development and strategic planning for a group of investment properties owned by the New York venture firm General Atlantic Partners. In order to focus her career toward more mission-driven clients, she then shifted to the nonprofit world, working with established and nascent organizations, assisting in launching new initiatives, and helping emerging nonprofits develop sustainable operating plans. Her clients included the National Office of Outward Bound, the Clark Foundation, the United States government, City Year, and Public Allies.
She has served on the boards of several Vermont organizations, including Woodbury College and Everybody Wins!, and has been an advisor to several private for-profit companies.
VCFA has a national board comprised of 22 artists, professionals, and leaders in higher education who are deeply committed to the success of VCFA. Chair Schubart said, “Consistent with our succession plan, we will begin an immediate search for interim leadership and a broader search for VCFA’s next leader. As of July 1, 2019, when President Greene begins his sabbatical, the leadership of the college will pass to its CFO Katie Gustafson and its Academic Dean Matthew Monk until such time as an Interim President is announced. Meanwhile, the Board has immense respect for and confidence in the current leadership team that manages the day-to-day successes of VCFA.”
Source: VCFA 6.26.2019