WHALE has hired Wendy Nicholas as Interim Executive Director, following the departure of longtime director, Lisa Bergson. Nicholas was for many years Director of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Northeast Regional Office in Boston. There, she worked with many of the region’s preservation nonprofits – including WHALE – to build their strength, improve their operations and increase their preservation effectiveness. She helped people in communities from Maine to Delaware to save places that matter to them.
“I am excited about working with Wendy over the next months,” said WHALE President Michael J. Murray. “We are so fortunate to have someone of Wendy’s caliber at the helm during this period of transition for WHALE. She will be a steady hand on the tiller, keeping our projects moving forward. And, she will help us attract a superb new permanent executive director.”
Prior to joining the National Trust, Nicholas led theProvidence Preservation Society (PPS), the preservation education andadvocacy organization in Providence, RI. Under her leadership, PPS playedan influential role in development within the city, including within its 27National Register Historic Districts. PPS sponsored educational programs and tours of the city’s historic areas for adults and school children alike andhosted the award-winning annual Festival of Historic Houses.
“I am delighted to help WHALE at this critical time. I’ve known the organization and its executive directors for many years and have tremendous respect for WHALE’s accomplishments. WHALE has a great reputation. I also know there is much more historic preservation work to be done in New Bedford, with tremendous needs and opportunities throughout the city.”
