Dear Chautauquans,

After careful consideration, it is with a heavy heart, yet with great anticipation, that I have decided to leave my post as President of Chautauqua Institution to accept the position of President at Randolph-Macon College. My eight-plus years in service to Chautauqua have been among the most rewarding and challenging of my career, and it has been the honor of a lifetime to work alongside the talented Chautauqua team to advance our mission. Over these past years, the Institution has explored some of the most important issues of our day while also seeking to adapt to a changing world. Today, we have a tremendous team of staff that is more dedicated than any I have ever served with, a leadership team whose credentials and commitment are unparalleled in the Institution’s history, a program that has never been a stronger symbol of our mission, and a business trajectory that continues to point to increasingly positive organizational performance and outcomes.

Chautauqua’s mission has always been timeless; its relevance, power and promise are now even more apparent.

In the months of my tenure that remain I’m focused on supporting a smooth leadership transition ahead of my departure on May 31. And, of course, I look forward to supporting our staff in their work to prepare for an exemplary 2025 Summer Assembly. Being a part of our programming team has always been a highlight of our shared work – and the lineup we have assembled this year is extraordinary.

I offer a special thank you to the many permutations of the Board of Trustees with whom I have shared leadership since 2017. I’m grateful for your counsel, your wisdom and your care for Chautauqua.

I also want to take a moment of personal privilege to thank Peter for his service as Chautauqua’s first “First Gentleman.” Peter worked tirelessly alongside me in representing Chautauqua, and in opening the President’s Cottage to the many who make Chautauqua’s mission come alive. I’m grateful for his service as I conclude my own. Peter and I – and, of course, Wilbur! — pray for continued blessings upon this incredible institution. It has certainly been a blessing to our family. We look forward to watching this next chapter in Chautauqua’s exciting history unfold, albeit with different titles – perhaps the most important title this place possesses – that is, as “Chautauquans.”

All my best,
Michael E. Hill, Ed.D.
President

Dear Chautauquans,

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I write alongside President Michael E. Hill, Ed. D., to express our most sincere thanks and appreciation for his extraordinary leadership over the past 8 years. Amid successes and challenges alike, Michael has represented this Institution with exemplary dignity and integrity, always with an unwavering focus on positioning Chautauqua to continue to thrive in the decades ahead. We are grateful for his service and commitment. During his tenure as Chautauqua’s 18th president, Michael has significantly advanced Chautauqua’s mission, including by:

• Curating eight successful Summer Assembly programs serving some 100,000 patrons annually, with an outstanding ninth season in the final planning stages.
• Leading the most ambitious and successful fundraising campaign in the Institution’s history, which has generated more than $145 million to date toward a goal of $150 million by June of 2026. This campaign is making possible two new buildings – The Buildings & Grounds Complex, the Roe Green Theater Center – and a complete renovation of Bellinger Hall, now the Greene Family Commons. These structures alone represent close to $40 million in new physical assets for Chautauqua. The campaign has also added more than $50 million to the endowment, the largest growth in the endowment’s history from any capital campaign.
• Conducting an extensive listening tour that led the Institution to create 150 Forward, a 10-year blueprint for sustainability and relevance that continues to serve as a north star for our efforts. In a parallel effort, he ushered in the Institution’s most recent master plan to guide the ongoing development of Chautauqua’s grounds.
• Launching new initiatives to broaden the Institution’s reach and impact, including the Chautauqua Climate Change Initiative, the Chautauqua-Perry Democracy Fellowship, Chautauqua Travels and CHQ Assembly.
• Overseeing the celebration of our 150th anniversary, complete with a nationwide PBS documentary that highlighted Chautauqua’s proud legacy and the promise of our future.
• Coordinating a regional coalition of leaders and communities to collaborate in supporting the conservation of Chautauqua Lake. This includes bringing in The Jefferson Project, which has for five years contributed scientific knowledge to support Chautauqua Lake conservation, and securing more than $7 million in state and philanthropic resources for the effort.
• Modernizing Chautauqua’s technology supported by a $6 million investment.
• Creating legal, human resources, and project management operations that are critical to Chautauqua’s ability to manage and avoid risk and build capacity for the future.
• Hiring Chautauqua’s first Chief Diversity Officer as we continue to welcome and foster a strong culture of inclusion.
• Leading with empathy and courage following one of the Institution’s most challenging moments, the August 12, 2022 attack on Salman Rushdie, reminding us that, even in great tragedy, our mission is critical to freedom of speech and freedom of expression.
• Guiding the Institution through a global pandemic and post-pandemic recovery that was not only critical for Chautauqua Institution, but for the entire region’s tourism economy.
• Building a talented team, who will continue to drive Chautauqua’s success in this next chapter.

The Board soon will be sharing information about our plans to transition to new leadership upon Michael’s departure in May. For now, we want to focus on saluting Michael and Peter and their extraordinary partnership. Thanks to their contributions, Chautauqua is well-positioned to continue to advance our mission for the next 150 years and beyond. We wish Michael and Peter the very best as they prepare for new opportunities at Randolph-Macon College.

Sincerely,
Candace L. Maxwell, Chair
Chautauqua Institution Board of Trustees