The Vilcek Foundation is pleased to announce that Rick Kinsel, our longtime executive director, has been promoted by the board of directors to the position of president. Rick has been with the Vilcek Foundation since its inception, and the promotion reflects his ongoing commitment to the organization and its expansion in scope.

Rick has led the foundation through several developments in its staff, programs, and mission. He helped establish our flagship program, the Vilcek Prizes, and oversaw the expansion of our activities to include the management of the Vilcek Foundation Art Collections. He has championed several new fields of focus for the foundation, including film production, journalism, and theatre.

For his work at the foundation, Rick has received several honors, including the MAD Visionaries Award from the Museum of Arts and Design and the Excellence in Design Award from the American Institute for Graphic Arts. Later this fall, he will be recognized by the Theatre Communications Group for his work in promoting diversity, inclusivity, and equity in American theatre, alongside Walking Dead actress and Broadway playwright Danai Gurira, and Broadway producers Stephen C. Byrd and Alia Jones-Harvey.

Co-founders Jan and Marica Vilcek will also continue their leadership roles, assuming, respectively, the titles of CEO and chairman, and vice chairman. Staff members Brian Cavanaugh and Chris Rungoo have also been promoted to, respectively, director of digital and director of human resources. Kudos, all!