INDIANAPOLIS — Newfields has named a new president and CEO.
Le Monte Booker will start in late October 2024. He comes to Indianapolis after serving as chief financial officer of the Field Museum in Chicago.
The Field Museum website says Booker is responsible for "accounting, budgeting, grants administration, investments, debt compliance, in addition to security services, and facilities management, which includes institutional construction projects."
In 2023, the Field Museum increased entry fees for the first time in 15 years. The increase was about 25% for adults in Chicago, and more for non-residents.
Booker has also worked as the CFO for Easterseals and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
“Mr. Booker possesses the right mindset, temperament, aptitude and leadership skills needed for this role. Mr. Booker stood out not only for meeting all of our initial search criteria, but also for bringing fresh perspectives we hadn’t previously considered to the process.” said Darrianne Christian, the chair of Newfields' Board of Trustees.
Turmoil at Newfields
Newfields, which includes the Indianapolis Museum of Art, has been searching for a new CEO after Colette Pierce Burnette left suddenly in November.
Burnette was named president of Newfields in 2022, after the museum began a search for a new leader following a racially insensitive job posting that gained national attention in 2021.
“We thank Dr. Burnette for her service to Newfields,” Christian said in a release. “She helped deepen our relationships with the community and championed the transformative powers of art and nature. We are grateful for her work on behalf of Newfields and wish her well in her future endeavors.”
Burnette's departure led to four members of the Newfields Board quitting.
One of the departing board members, Chris Gahl, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Visit Indy, shared a statement with 13News about his decision to resign:
"My decision is being driven by the Board of Trustees repeatedly not engaging the Board of Governors in critical decision making within our collective board work.
This siloed approach to board governance goes well beyond recent personnel decisions and includes budget, operations, and nearly all strategic decision making.
I continue to care deeply about Newfields’ role within our community, its internal team, and the critical, recent, and acclaimed work over the past 12 months mending relationships in our Black and Brown communities and ensuring all feel more welcomed."
Wildstyle Paschall was a community council member who resigned after Burnette left. In a statement to 13News, he was skeptical of Booker's appointment:
"Until the board leadership that led Newfields into turmoil steps aside, anyone they hire is going to have a hard time convincing the community that any changes he/she makes is actually the direction Newfields is headed."
Michael Kubacki has served as interim president and CEO since Burnette left.
Kubacki has been a member of the Newfields Board of Trustees since 2014, serving as vice chair from May 2021 through May 2023.